Have just returned from a Thomson Pricebreaker all-inclusive hotel at the Costa Del Sol Princess, and what a great time we had.
Initial thoughts were that the hotel was somewhat isolated and geared more for the "older generation".
The Thomson rep, Danni, was fabulous - a great laugh - and spent quality time with her guests. She was determined that everybody would enjoy their holiday.
The bar staff, reception, and most of the restaurant staff were very friendly. The food was good but did get a little monotonous after a while. take time to visit the A La Carte restaurant to which you are entitled one visit per week - well worth it.
On the down side, despite the hotel being directly on the beach there were no watersport activities, i.e. pedalos etc. The evening entertainment varied consierably in quality. There tended to be a dance or magic on first - these were ok on the whole, however, 6 evenings out of 7 there followed a duo Bohemia who can only be described as a cross between Rene and renato, and Peters and Lee. They sang exactly the same songs each night, were aloof, and quite frankly awful - you have been warned !!
The hotel offers free shuttle buses to Estepona and to Puerto Banus. A trip to Gibralter is well worth it - if only for the duty free !!!

We stayed for a week at this hotel over the bank holiday, we cant fault it in any way apart from the lack of evening entertainment, we was aware of this before going so it was not a problem for us.
The hotel was spotless as were the rooms and the pool areas which are great, plenty of sun beds at anytime. The beach was a stones throw away nice but with peebles at the sea edge. The staff very nice laid back but that is the way of life in spain no rushing, food very nice always hot and great variety. A bit remote but again we knew this, buses at the top of the road takes you to Estepona, Marbella and Puerto Banus which is a must to people watch and see the yatchs.
Cost of bus only 1.56 euro each. Danni the rep very helpful and the day time entertainment team funny and good. Me and my boyfriend went for a relaxing holiday and this is what we got, would recommend to friends. Bars great never waited very long and drinks in glasses at nite which was nice, could take food and drink up to your room also which was a bonus. Pools towels given each morning and changed every nite, cant see how people have given this hotel bad reviews in the past.
If you are leaving the hotel after the midday check out it is best to ttry and book the room for a couple of extra hours to shower, a nice couple let us use their room for this.
Great hotel great time great weather.

Stayed at the Costa Princess on All Inclusive from 9th to 20th July..
Flight out was good and our coach transfer was easy to find and efficient.. we arrived at the hotel about 2.30pm, checking in was straightforward and although we weren't shown to our rooms, it wasn't rocket science to follow signs.
Staff at the reception are fab, brilliant english and very helpful, although the staff who tend to the C.D.S Princess bars can barely understand a word, which is acceptable to a point as you are in spain but its almost as though they lose patience trying to understand you, the paying guest! I found it particularly annoying as there was a very large (15+) family of Spaniards staying at the same time, and they were often favouritised at the bar and the staff and spanish guests would often have very long detailed coversations leaving you just stood there!
The restaraunt times are very flexible, open for 2-3 hours at every sitting; this ensured that you were never packed in like sardines and didnt wait very long for drinks to be brought over. Food was plentiful, and varied, with a salad bar, cold meats and pasta and selection of hot foods which changed every night. A dessert table and also a table of different types of bread meant there was something for everyone.. The chef round the corner serves up different things if you dont fancy whats on the main tables, and the pool bar, open from 10 til 6, served burgers, hotdogs, chips, salad etc all day which meant we never went hungry!!!
The drinks are nice [very strong!!!!], with cocktails inc in all inc. and we never waited more than 5 minutes to be served.
For the first week we never bothered with the entertainment, preferred to chill in the lounge (which is massive) but when we did go in it was average, but what you would expect from hotel entertainment!
Sunbeds were plentiful and many attendants walked around all day cleaning up litter and making sure things were tidy.. Full respect for the pool and lounger attendant as they worked their bums off cleaning the hotel pool EVERYDAY, as by the morning a lot of debris and palm tree leaves etc had found their way in.. i would go down to the longers quite early (around 10) and they would already be out cleaning it.. it was a really well maintained hotel!

The lifts are to be avoided at all costs! if you do need to use them i suggest that you use the one closest to the bar (the one on the left) as i got stuck in the right hand one several times! :S

the rooms are cleaned immaculately everyday (even sunday) and towels replaced daily too. also we recieved a free large bottle of water to the room everyday, which we kept in the fridge in the room (switched on-no extra charge)

You can book free tickets for the buses to Estepona and Puerto Banus which leave from the sister hotel the Andalucia everyday, and pick you up from the same place.. The Puerto Banus bus leaves at 10 and returns at 16.30, with the Estepona bus leaving at 11 and returning at 17.30. You book them at the CDS Princess reception the day before you wish to go.. Puerto Banus was gorgeous and the bus was very comfortable and punctual (make sure you're there- it leaves on the dot!!)
However my boyfriend and i found Estepona very boring and got a taxi back after a couple of hours.. cost us 11.50.
The hotel is right on the beach, however it is very dark and pebbly, definitely wear something on your feet for going down to the sea! Regardless of the beach however, it was nice to be so close to the med! :)
Overall I boked this holiday in the knowledge that it was a fair distance from any other resort or complex so we were prepared for the isolated feeling. I adored my time at the CDS Princess as it allowed for sheer relaxation and indulgence.. but I'd warn anybody who likes to be on the go constantly that this hotel is not for them!
If I could move the hotel to a more central location I'd go back in a shot, unfortuanately it was too far out to go every year without it becoming repetitive.
An absolute bargain for an all inclusive 11 night stay,and from the negative reviews it would seem that some people expect too much for their money..a pleasant surprise and a must for those seeking the sun and cocktails, but little else.

Arrived at 1130 pm, to be advised there was a cold meal awaiting us in the dining room - a very nice touch, even if the food may not be to everyone's taste. Bottled water in the room each day was much appreciated, as was the fridge.

Very nice room, excellent view of the sea and the pools. High standard of furniture in our room, and throughout the whole hotel.
Excellent buffet selection, minor niggle is that the labelling could have been better, (or present!), especially for special dietary needs, preferences, etc.

Heated pools were great, could use the facilities of the Andalucia Princess next door, however, could not take all inclusive drinks next door - very petty, especially as the childrens pools and the majority of the sunshades/trees were there. Beautiful location, right on the beach, perfect for a quiet, family holiday, however courtesy buses run to Estepona and Puerto Banus daily for shopping and sightseeing.
Estepona market day was worth a trip, however, be aware that the shops close for siesta. Trip to Gibraltar via the Thomson Rep was great - WWII tunnels visit very informative, good shopping, not much time to shop though, if you add the dolphin trip too.

Overall, a lovely hotel, nice gardens, pool, views, and interiors, entertainment not brilliant, but was available. Some staff not as friendly as we'd like, but they were efficient if not chatty.