We have just returned from our 2nd visit to this hotel , our first visit was only 4 weeks earlier but loved it so much we booked to go back as soon as we could . My boyfriend has never been keen on holidays in the sun , laying around on sun beds but like many , after working throughout lockdown needed a break so we chose this as there was an adult area of the hotel ( Melia call it the level ) , the flights from UK were short and transfer time from Malaga to hotel only 20 mins . We opted for half board as it was so cheap and honestly expected to eat there only a couple of times but the food was in our view delicious , yes the main dining area on the ground floor is like most hotels , ie buffet style but there were good options for everyones taste and we loved it . You do have to pay for any drinks tho including water . There were so many meat or fish options , pasta , salads galore , cheeses , potatoes , too much to mention , if i had to be honest I personally could have done with a few more veg but that’s just being picky . We stayed on the 9th floor , rooms had everything you could need including iron and clothes steamer , coffee maker and fridge and because of the level option it meant we could eat breakfast on the hotel rooftop with amazing sea views , again everything you could want including a full English. The level gives you access to the beautiful pool and sun beds on the roof too where there are free drinks ( including alcohol and well known soft fizzy drinks ) and snacks , stunning cakes , chocolates , tea and all types of coffee ( so pleased there were various decaf options ) all day. There are a few issues which didn’t spoil our stay in anyway but thought I’d mention them , apart from the bathroom there is no where to sit in the room to do makeup/hair , I’m a contact wearer so was over moon to see a magnifying glass in the bathroom but I’m 5,4 and in both rooms it was a little high , the bathrooms were immaculately clean but a little tired , our 2nd shower leaked badly so couldn’t have anything on the floor , both stays we had to have room passes changed at least 3 times as they stopped working . One lift was often out of action so you might have to wait a few minutes . There is an extra charge for the Bali beds on rooftop which during both stays were hardly used , not because they were very expensive , just the wrong sort , they were covered in wooden slats so have neither shade nor full sun , one of the jacuzzis kept breaking and also there not enough parasols to go around , there were a couple of windy days during our first week but even on still days staff rarely put out all of the big shades , maybe they were broken too . All of the rooms have a side sea view but dont expect to sunbathe on your balcony , like most hotels in the area they are covered . There was air conditioning but not the best .
But their jewel in their crown and the reason I give it 5 stars are the amazing staff , from those on the door , on reception ( the level gives you priority check in and after that you can use the reception on the rooftop ) to those in the dining room , the staff who clean the rooms , all those on the level and the waitresses who work their socks off ! I would particularly like to mention the following , the wonderful beautiful Patricia (with curly hair just in case there are 2 ) who during our first stay was on the level , so bubbly what an asset to the level team , nothing too much and always a smile on her face , you could tell even behind the masks ( management - please put her back in the level ) she was also the first face we saw on our second visit and remembered us straight away which makes you feel very special . Encarni and Esther who waitressed in the level were such grafters and again nothing too much trouble . The chef , carmen or. Carmel ? who cooked my perfect eggs every morning was great, even when rude customers barked orders at her during our second visit there (3rd June for 6 nights ) there was another receptionist on the level , apologies but I’ve forgotten her name , she booked us sunbeds on the beach and I regularly saw her running around providing additional help to the pool staff and waitresses when needed . There isn’t anyone on the level they we wouldn’t employ , their work ethic is phenomenal !
So don’t let the little issues I’ve mentioned put you off but absolutely opt for the level option ( 16 and over ) if you can . If not the hotel has two big wings and there is another rooftop available to all but with a bar , small pool and sun beds . There is s main pool between the two hotels half of which looses the sun quite early but it’s literally across from the beach .
