Just got back from this Hotel after our third visit, and what a difference 12months and a new hotel makes. My last years review is below so you can compare my comments.

We arrived about 11pm and like most of us were keen for a quick check in and take advantage of the AI bar before it finished at midnight. However, check in was slow and the room they gave us was already occupied. So we had to go back to reception and get another room. We had paid our 100E deposit and they changed the room number on our receipt. We went down for breakfast the next day and the food was just as last year. There was a slight drop in quality in the lunch time buffet but the evening meal was very poor (compared with 1-2 years ago). I love the soup, but it was luke warm. They have theme nights and the only one that was any good was the Spanish night (well if you can`t cook your own food what chance do you stand). Indian night was a bland Chicken Tikka Masala and a Lamb Roghan Josh.

Last time there was always an army of cleaners waiting to get into the rooms to clean, and we had to put the do not disturb sign on the door handle to give us time to get ready for breakfast. This time only One cleaner per floor and no do not disturb notices. Towels changed if she thought they were dirty. Bed linen not changed. Floors not mopped. Balcony untouched. General hotel cleanliness was good.

There are two new hotels just opened. Holiday Palace and the Polynesian. We went up to have a look (as part of a timeshare promo). They told us that First Choice are in there last 2years of a 10year contract at the Village and will be pulling out when it`s up. It would seem that most of the staff from the Village have gone to work at the Polynesian, and the Village is suffering as a result.

When we went down to check out there was a problem with our 100E deposit. They had no record of it as we had changed rooms (not our fault). After 20 mins she finaly came out and threw 2 50E notes at us.

When we first stayed at this hotel 3 years ago we always regarded it as being a 4* hotel with a 5* quality. We could find nothing wrong at all. We left it late when booking this year and the Village was coming up at a good price.

This hotel is by know means a "holiday from hell" but is living in the shadow of the Polynesian and if First Choice are pulling out how far are they willing to let it go down.

Me and my girlfriend had a week off last September and went to the Holiday Village, she wanted to go partly because she has family in Mijas and partly because as a First Choice employee we could have it really cheap.

We were pretty impressed with the place to be honest, the room was brilliant, massive for a couple to stay in, well equipped too with a great view down to the pool and out to sea. The staff were really friendly, even late at night as were the reps. We didn't try the entertainment as we were only Self Catering so went out every night, plus with us both working in a holiday resort we've pretty much seen it all before, but others told us it was OK if you had kids with you. We didn't eat in the restaurant but the queues for the buffet that we saw, and the queue to get served at the AI bars would put me off, we were amused to see various arguments breaking out at the bar as the AI deadline approached. One thing I will say if you're SC is that the shop in the hotel is useless and VERY expensive, they charge about 3-4 Euro for a tin of beans or a bottle of milk, best idea is to get on the bus to Benalmadena from outside the hotel.

Entry to the rooms is via swipe card so is very secure, there's various lifts and staircases for getting up and down. We had the cleaners in daily with fresh towels and sheets, the bedroom consisted of 2 double beds pushed together, absolutely huge, good wardrobe space, digital safe, the kitchen has a microwave, decent hob, fridge, loads of utensils. The bathroom...well what can I say, it was like an apartment on it's own, large marble counter with 2 deep bowl hand basins in front of a wall sized mirror, full size bath with shower attachment and curtain as well as a separate standalone shower cubicle big enough for 2 people! The living area consisted of a sofa bed in front of a coffee table and TV with a few channels to keep you occupied, full sized dining table with 4 chairs, more wardrobe space and various cabinets ,both the living and bed rooms lead out to a massive balcony with furniture for 4, the way the hotel is built means no balconies are overlooked from either direction so it was very private and secluded. We faced the pool and were up on a high floor so we had a lovely view right across the pool, the main hotel, the beach club, out to sea and along the coast to Fuengirola, lovely to sit out there early evenings.

The pool area was really good in September but I'd hate to have been there peak season as there's not a lot of room around the beds, especially when you consider the hotel must hold a good 1000 people. The wooden banisters into the pools were slippery, the steps were VERY slippery and unmarked, the rocks in and around the pool areas are literally razor sharp and the wave pool is a complete minefield of sharp and slippery surfaces.

If we ever go back to the Costa del Sol we'll stay here again not AI, the queues really did look huge and the menu in the lunchtime snack bars looked pretty poor. We'd probably use this hotel purely due to the standard of the rooms and the security of the place more than the facilities.

read lots of reviews before going and was really excited first time ever going all inclusive.arrived at 9pm to discover only a cold salad with pate and cheese supplied for first evening dinner. So 5 very hungry people by next morning . hotel very nice and clean , bedroom and bathroom spacious and clean although had to ask for bedding for 5th bed as this was forgotten.Staff were always helpful but maid constantly forgot towels in room which was amusing on day 1 and 2 but on day 13 just annoying. the hotel is a bus ride away from anything else but the bus is cheap and every half hour. The entertainment at night was a hit or miss but the kids enjoyed it so thats the main thing. Our main complaint is the food breakfast and lunch good but evening meal in la perla buffet resturant was either lukewarm or stone cold. Also quality was very poor . ended up eating salad as at least this is meant to be cold. Only good thing was twice a week you can use italian or mexican resturants so meals are nice and hot.We would never go back to this hotel again we were very disappointed.

we always go to holiday villages have done for last 5yrs the costa del sol is suppose to be the best or them all. we wernt told that we had to share the pools across the bridge where flag ship is anybody was allowed in also flag ship was out of order for the whole month of july (high season )hotel not the cleanest ive been to ie i broke plate in room went back up to rm at 6pm remains of glass not swept up never any towels in rooms food was passable kids club was brill first choice holiday reps were brill with kids cheep local buses not great shops spoke to people that were there for there second time said hotel gone down hill since last there two yrs ago afraid i wont be back rather spend the 4 grand it cost us for the holiday in blackpool would never go back Turkey here we come for the third time

This was the 2nd time we have visited the holiday village and it did not disappoint, this time we got to enjoy the beach club as it was not open the last time we came, and it was fantastic. It is a great family holiday, our 2 girls had a great time in the kids club, the children's reps were great (especially sarah & woody.) Food - plenty of choice, the entertainment was not as good as previous time but the effort they put in was second to none, the last night i won 300 euros at the bingo so it well worth a go.Would definately visit again as there was lots to do.It is about 20 mins away from benalmadena but you do get the bus outside every 20 mins.

FIRST CHOICE HOLIDAY VILLAGE, COSTA DEL SOL.

I WANTED TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, Before going we read all the reviews people have left, Don't make the same mistake as us. Read my one it

All Inclusive;

On our first visit to this hotel we stayed All Inclusive and would recommend this to all, its great not having to take money out with you at night, the kids spill a drink and you just go get another one. Although its already paid for it feels free and that makes the holiday for us.

Cleanliness;

The hotel is absolutley spotless we found no fault with it. Maids and cleaners seem to work all day long.

Food;

The food in the main Resturant was good and we never went hungry, the breakfast, for me personally was the only let down, why the Spanish cannot go and get proper bacon is beyond me! The rest of the group liked it though.
We also tried the Italian Resturant and it went down well with all.
Our favorite was the Mexican Resturant, beautiful food and plenty of it, this was our best night.
Special mention to the Indian theme night in the Main Resturant, they did Chicken Wraps, if your going and you find them, dont have starters because you wont be able to eat as many wraps as you'd have liked:) Beautiful food.

Location;

The biggest dissapointment for me, previous hotels we visited have had plenty of (ok tacky) shops on the doorstep, but the Holiday Village has nothing in walking distance, we went out once on the bus to Benalmedina and were suprised at how little was there although we didn't stay long and maybe didn't search for said tackyness:)

Staff;

Resturant staff always on hand to clear your table and most did it with a smile on their face.
Bar staff we superb, worked hard and some sang and danced a little while serving, which made me laugh.

Entertainment;

Daytime was ok with the quiz which we looked forward to, but the night was dire.

Re-visit;

Although we don't go to the same hotel twice I would go back to this place. For all the bad points above, the hotel itself byfar beats any we have been to previously, with absolute beautiful pool areas, friendly and helpfull staff and loads to do, we would go back yes. But make sure its All Incluisive...

just got back from a fantastic holiday here if you have kids this is the place to go but go all inclusive
the food was superb plenty of choice and theme nights too

hotel spotless

location not the best but there are places near by

staff were fantastic and could not do enough for you

entertainment for the kids was superb as for the adults not that good but we went there fof the kids

will go again for sure

This hotel is spotless, the maids even clean around the pool area regulary throughout the day. Never seen that before. Can't comment on food as we went self catering,worst thing we ever did.If i ever did go back to this hotel i would definitely go All Inclusive. The hotel staff were always plesant and willing to help. The entertainment for the kids was non stop day and night. The adult entermainment was rubbish unless you like Bingo and Reps screaming out a tune. The beach club is fabulous our kids preferred to spend the day there rather than by the hotel pool.
Disappointed with First Choice for offering self catering to an All Inclusive Holiday World, the self catering facilities are poor.If you dont want to be ripped off by the hotel shop, the nearest decent supermarket is a bus ride away, which means you,ll have to get a taxi back with all your shopping and that costs 10euros or 16euros from the Aldi in Torremolinos.(to stressful! go all inclusive)

Great pools(but very cold), and great for kids. Food was good, glad we booked all inclusive when we got there, not to much around to get food.