Benalmadena, Holiday Village Apartments Review

Overall Rating

We read the reviews before going and felt most were correct although many were moaning at very minor things. We went for a week but felt ten days would have been better as we reluctantly got back home yesterday.
Likes: the range of food especially breakfast, the cleanliness of the hotel, the kids club's long opening hours and their activities, the beach club pools which were great fun (like a water park itself), and the fantastic multi lingual staff. Everything was all inclusive so no horrible traps eg buying icecreams - there are AI icecream tubs at the back bar near the theatre so you can avoid the kid's moans for the themed icecreams they advertise in the poolside bar.The games room was a hit with our six year old son who begged to go in every night. Most games were 1 euro (but would only take 1 euro coins not change) except be careful with the bowling - we asumed the sign saying 3 euro menat for everyone to play but its per person so we found that a bit misleading and disappointing as we'd only bought a limited amount of cash (in hindsight, its stil not that expensive though if you know in advance!)
Dislikes: we had euros stolen from our secure room as we'd heard already the security safes were battery powered and could be opened by the cleaners and maintenance people despite you setting your own code (and the price of them was expensive to hire). Despite this being reported to police, the rep and the hotel, the hotel decided it was "unfair to point fingers" at their staff so we received no update/outcome. It was hard to get a bed near the pool after 10am as many were taken up before 8am despite the no reserving rule (noone's towels were removed while we were there) but there were plenty of sunloungers further back. The hotel is a long way out from other tourist places but the local bus outside the beach club is fantastic value at 1 euro 20 for wherever - we ventured into the marina and also walked for five minutes from the hotel to get into Fuengirola to walk along the beach (very pretty, shallow water but string waves - be careful for little ones!).
The most disappointing thing we felt we should mention was the last day - it doesnt tell you til you arrive that the AI finishes at 12 noon the day you leave. We arrived at gone 11pm on our first day and had 10pm flights home. We were colected at 7pm from the hotel to go to the airport and so we had to check out by 12 noon - it was a long time to have paid nearly £1500 to be then left having to pay for fod and drink. We felt a little cheated at this element and felt we should warn others! Also the brochure claims there is a courtesy room for your use on the last day. If you can call a flooded handheld shower inside a toilet block next to the sink a courtesy room, then there's something wrong! It was also where the lights were on a timer so after five minutes of lathering up, you then had to get out in the pitch black and move around in the central section (where others were going past to use the toilet) to activate the lights. When we told reception we didnt think it was particularly safe for kids to shower in the dark etc, they said they would send maintenance to increase the light timer - but didn't. We felt it disappointing a four star hotel couldnt even be bothered to open one proper room for people to use on their last day
All in all i would definately go back. The facilities were excellent and you could tell they had really considered the design of the place - the reception area with the swimming turtles, love birds, coloured water jet pools and abstract art dotted here and there made it very impressive. The bus to and from the beach club was regular and staff were very helpful re bus times/train times etc. The food was good i felt compared to other all inclusives we have been on including the carribean with lots of choice of meat, fish, kids burgers, hotdogs, cakes, fruit etc. None of us were ill and we didnt know anyone else who was either. The pool was shut on the day we arrived as someone had weed in it but it was quickly cleaned and we saw maintanence checking it regularly each day. There were regular pool games like water polo, water bingo etc but if they annoyed you, you could go up a small ramp to a jaccuzzi and small pool area with kids playground and mini golf and you could barely hear the noise from the main pool.
The room had two double beds pushed together in the main room and a sofa bed in the lounge which we found more than adequate for the three of us. The tv was good but few english channels and none for children but we found our son happily watched kids cartoons in spanish on the rare occasion we were in the room.
The evening entertainment was adequate - a highlight was the Il Divo tribute band - they were fantastic including an ex west end star of Les Mis who had a fab voice. The nights usually began with a kids orientated show eg reptile / birds of prey demonstration then awards were given out on stage for the days games from kids club and parent games and then it would be a music or magic show from 10pm onwards. It wasnt amazing but then again, it suited what you wanted before going to bed.
We didnt do any trips as we felt we werent there long enough but one other family we met suggested the Holiday Village hotel just below our hotel was much better in the evenings for kids, providing discos etc so hat might be worth bearing in mind.
We did have the towels in the room begin at four on our arrival and gradually diminish to only one but when we told reception, they ensured we had more so i dont think thats an issue to fret about.
The chinese restaurant is definately worth a go - theres a pre cooked buffet of spring rolls chow mein etc but then a raw counter with suishi and then pick a mix for your own selection. You get a plate of your own choice of meats and noodles etc and then take it to a fab guy at the wok who asks for your sauce choice and then cooks it infront of you - very tasty - we went twice as Thomson people are allowed two special restaurants for every week they stay. The Lighthouse BBQ is only on Friday and Saturdays though and we had missed booking it when we got there (you have to book the BBQ a day before but others you can book between 8-11am at reception on the day). The Polynesian restaurant didnt appeal to us as most people we met said they had found it more amusing than edible as it was things like cooked fish with a tin can of fruit poured over it etc.
In summary, a good holiday. The hotel was beautiful and we felt they had tried hard to consider all options for families eg long kids club hours (10-3pm 3pm-6pm) and great pools and kid friendly food. The theft of the money and the naff last day with the AI ending at 12 noon and the lack of a courtesy room did put a slight dampener on the holiday as we went home annoyed but it certainly wouldnt stop us from going again....enjoy your holiday if you have already booked (the good bits by far outweighed the bad bits!) and if you haven't booked with Holiday Village Apartments, Benalmadena already, get it sorted! you'll enjoy it!

Members' Comments onGuest's Review

• Suey77 on 16th Sep 2009

  I found this review very helpful because...we're going there next week, so it's good to know what to look out for, especially the AI finish time and courtesy room on the last day. May have to try and do something about that! Thanks!