Lovely hotel.

Thought the food at dinner was dreadfull. Not a good choice tended to be the same every night, until the Spanish guests arrived. We ate out four nights from seven.

As for Entertainment a big must try harder.

Lovely hotel though well worth it for the pool and set out of the building and grounds.

Staff were great too.

We have just got back from an eight night stay BB & EM at the above hotel. The hotel was fine, good heated indoor swimming pool etc. Yes it was just a bit outside the main area, but a bus stopped outside the hotel and the charge was 90 cents one way.

The food was another question, not that I would have expected from a 4* Melia hotel. If you liked salads and cold sweets every day then you would be fine. Hot meals were poor. Meat in some cases was so tough you could not cut it never mind eat it. Potatoes and veg were kept warm for long periods and were quite often baked under the heating lights.

A microwave was available to heat up luke warm foods. The hotel was not expensive through Alpha Rooms and cost as much as some of the self catering units. Two couples we met ate out on more than one occasion; other couples were satisfied with what they got. One of the couples who ate out had been there 18 months ago and said that the food was OK then. They went during the summer.

There were not enough waiters and if it had not been for Patrick the service would have failed. He was 5*.

It is such a pity the company put so much into the provision of the hotel and has such high standards and then fails with the food provision.

There is a new building going up next door. They were working Monday to Friday and the construction noise was not too bad when we were there.

We stayed at the Melia Benidorm for one week at the beginning of March. We found everything to our satisfaction. The safe in the room was free of charge, there was a mini bar that could be used as a refrigerator (also free of charge) and the food in the restaurant was excellent.

The first and most minor problem arose two days after we arrived. You may think it is not worth mentioning, but you will see why I do later on. We returned to our room about 4.30 p.m. and put the kettle on for a cup of tea. We had put two Kit Kats in the fridge the day before and when I went to get them out, one had disappeared! WE had definitely NOT eaten them!!

The second and much more annoying problem came when we had someone (a female we presumed!) moved in above us and return to the room at 3.30 a.m. and proceeded to pace up and down constantly in high heels and moving furniture around until 4.30 a.m., only to start the same antics yet again at 8.00 a.m! We went down to breakfast and returned to our room at about 10.30 to find that it was still going on. Our next door neighbour was on the landing

Travelled with Globespan for 3 nights (4 days)staying at Melia Benidorm.

Hotel was excellent also food quality excellent and plenty of it. Rooms very clean and tidy and 2 bottles of water in room free of charge. Mini bar was free to use or you could purchase a bar pack. Use of safe was also free of charge.

Some people think that this hotel is not in a very good situation as it is far from the old town of Benidorm. The bus stops outside the hotel and runs all along the main avenue, so you are free to get off at any time and the cost is only 90 cents each way therefore distance is of no object.

Hotel staff also very friendly and helpful. Will look forward to visiting this hotel again.

The Sol Melia looked first of all a lovely designed hotel, when we went to our rooms there was no disappointment the view was great. I think it was positioned in a nice part of Benidorm not to busy but near enough to walk to the beach or a short cab ride to the old town.

The food was very good but got a bit boring by the end of 5 days(would be better if you liked fish,I don't).

The staff were very friendly and helpful, the barman in the downstairs bar was over friendly with one of the women in our group.

The indoor pool was ok but was in need of a paint job. I am sure the outside pool is very nice in summer months.

One thing I did notice at weekend the hotel is full of Spanish weekender's which overstretched the hotel.

Also we parked our car downstairs in the garage but nothing was mentioned of the 10e a day to park there until check out.

The Melia lived up to it's 4 star rating, it is a lovely, modern, large(24 floors) hotel. We saw this being built whrn we stayed nearby in 2001.

The location is good as it is quiet at night but still only 10 mins or so to the Levante beach front, shops and bars etc. There are plenty of nice cafes, bars and shops on the way from the hotel to the beach and the large (cheap) 'PLUS' supermarket is just across the road from the Melia, so you can buy all your water, soft drinks, beer ect and store them in the free mini fridge.

The reception hall is very impressive with indoor gardens, palm trees ect. A lovely large lounge area all furnished with blue soft sofas, with a piano player every evening - very relaxing after your meal. There are two 'towers' going up from the main attria part of the hotel, each has 4 lifts plus a glass scenic lift serving all floors up to the forth.

We were on the forth floor so used the scenic lift most times. Our room was lovely, modern, clean and very well furnished with large twin beds, TV, free safe and empty mini fridge (full mini bar available on request at a cost per item) but we bought all our stuff at the supermarket across the road, and there were no problems with taking your OWN water/soft drinks down to the pool area.

The pool and gardens are fantastic, biggest I've ever seen and surely the best in Benidorm! The pool is a massive 'lagoon' style with walk-in parts, islands and waterfalls. There is a seperate kids pool and a heated indoor pool. The outdoor pool has a lifeguard on duty all day, and periodic activities, waterpolo etc. There are loads of sunbeds with free matteresses and fixed umbrellas - BUT as with most large hotels you may need to be up early to get a particular sunbed (eg near the pool edge or in the best sunspots), as there were toels out from 7:30 at the weekends, when the hotel became very busy with what seemed to be Spanish families on 'weekend breaks', as things were normal during the week. You can hire Melia Hotel towels for 10 Euros (refund on return), useful near the end of your hols. There is a 'Wellness Centre' with gym, massage etc. at extra cost.

The restaurant is large, bright and airy with plenty of tables for two, or larger onrs for family groups. Note that shorts/vests are NOT allowed at evening dinner, and we saw a few men turned away, not a bad thing I think as it sets a good standard for dinner. The choice was vast with both hot and cold food all well presented and very enjoyable. Various cooked meats/Carvery and an Italian buffet each night serving fresh pasta, sauces and pizza. The best desserts I've seen and loads of fresh fruit. We were HB and had such a good 'full' breakfast each morning that we didn't need to bother to eat out during the day, and lasted until evening dinner. Flexi meal times were good, (b'fast 7:30 - 10 / Dinner 19:00 - 22), but it did get busy at peak times, but very few queues.

Staff throughout the Melia were always pleasant and polite, but some lacked genuine friendliness, but were always efficient.

Entertainment was very much geared to the large number of Spanish guests. There is a nice (small) bar on the resturant level and a cafe/bar on ground level which also serves the main' blue' lounge area. There is no late night bar in the hotel after about
1:00am, again not a bad thing, as there are loads of late bars in Benidorm itself.

All in all the Melia is a first class hotel well deserving it's 4 stars, but NOT your average Benidrom 'holiday hotel' for families with kids or 'lively groups'. It is more for couples or groups of adults who want a bit of luxury, only minutes away from the main night life. You won't find bingo or "Mr & Mrs" shows etc at the Melia, but if you want that type of holiday there are loads of other hotels in Benidorm to pick from.

We would certainly recommend the Melia, bearing in mind the comments above, and would definitely go back.

Stayed here just to try it out. I normally stay at the Levante Club but this place looked like the only hotel that was of a similar standard so I thought I'd try it out to see what it was like.

Was rather impressed by the lobby: lots of plants, the cocktail lounge and(I think) free internet access.
A nice touch in the room was having two free bottles of water in the fridge - along with a note that said replenishments were available at a price!. I just used it for storing the pop I bought from the supermarket during the week.

The room was an adequate size: slightly smaller than the Levante Club and the bathroom only had a shower if I remember correctly. Hairdryer and shower gel/shampoo were provided along with an adequate supply of towels.

Food was,on the whole, excellent. Obviously some things weren't to my taste but others made up for it. I would have paid solely for theveg soup that they had on on one day- I think it must have been a potatosoup going off the taste and it was excellent!

The areas around the swimming pools were as excellent as they looked. There is also an indoor pool and two jacuzzis. The gym didn't look too impressive and there was also a sauna.

I was very impressed by the standard of cleanliness throughout the hotel. The staff were, on the whole, friendly and efficient. Thought the barman downstairs was a bit abrupt though.

Entertainment seemed virtually non-existent. There was a video each evening and the excellent pianist in the lounge upstairs. I kept seeing the trio mentioned above advertised but never actually saw them. There never actually seemed to be that many people around the hotel at night.

Location for me was excellent although I appreciate for some people it is a bit far out although the area around there is getting a lot busier.

Some downsides to it: Not many English people there (although some people would consider that a plus point!) and I felt it was easy for non-residents to gain access to the pool areas.

Would I stay here again? A qualified yes. I do prefer the Levante Club though but there isn't much difference between them. Basically, if I couldn't get into the Levante Club on the dates I had to go I would choose the Melia as an option but it would always be second choice.

Hi Everyone,
We stayed at this hotel in March for my hubbies 50th,well what can i say it was fantastic!!!!The hotel itself was beautiful and the rooms were a dream, our room had a pool view and was a suntrap from the minute we got up(we were told that the weather had been terrible up until the day we arrived so i think we touched lucky)The hotel was spotless and i really could not fault it even if i tried.

The food was lovely too, it was buffet style and if you are a big eater you would be in heaven the lay out was as follows,first you had your soup and rolls,salad bar,casseroles,pasta and sauces,carvery and then a bbq were you picked the meat of your choice(all if you wish)and they cooked it right in front of you,(i couldnt help but have a bit of everything just cos i didnt want to miss out).

Hotel location was a lovely 10 minute stroll to the beach it was very relaxing after just having your breakfast and if the weather was good even better.

Hotel staff were very helpful if you needed them and the bar staff were very good,if they saw your glass was nearly empty they would ask you did you need serving(my sort of bar staff)

As i said we went in March so there wasn't any entertainment on really but of a evening they had a gent playing the panio(I know it sounds boring but we enjoyed it cos we were having a break alone from the kids)and there was singing in another bar later on in the night.I am sure they would have acts on when the hotel got a little busier.

I would DEFIANTELY visit this hotel again and i am already dropping hints to go back for our 10yr anniversary(have been since we were there)

All in all it was a fantastic hotel but I would say more for adults of all ages (I am 31) to have a relaxing break because not much to do for kids to do.

The Melia Benidorm is fantastic to look at & very clean.

The staff are also brilliant, I was even treated to a free water massage & received a Christmas card!

The breakfasts are amazing, dinner not so good but still edible.

My only criticism would be location it is quite a walk to the beach.

We stayed in low season so wouldn't be able to comment on entertainment but there was a pianist twice a week.

I would definitely re-visit.

I concur with the earlier reports. I had wanted to try this hotel because Melia have a very good reputation. It was the best hotel we have stayed in and will return early next year. It was great to have a good choice of TV in the rooms which were immaculate.

I realise most people would not be interested in TV on holiday but due to recent poor health it was an added bonus for me.

My daughter thought February was too cool for her and the children but it was ideal for me and and my husband.

There are a lot of entertainment rooms in the basement. In one a large group that had travelled together (all wrinklies like us) were having a great time sequence dancing. In another there was a small music trio and bar. We watched a recent film on a large screen in another.

The food was great.

My youngest grandson (age 11) played "The Entertainer" on the piano in the lounge one evening - permission of the resident pianist - and was applauded very well. It was one of the highlights of the holiday.

I really appreciated the indoor pool and had my first swim for three years, afterwards relaxing on the very good sun beds provided.

All round, a really nice hotel.