Perhaps our expectations were too high, as the hotel's website is so promising, but we were rather disappointed as we had decided to pay a bit more for something 'special.'
Our room was in the new building, and it certainly wasn't special. The fabric/furnishings were cheap and not very attractive, the balcony door was stuck so couldn't be opened (although the view was over a yard and wasn't worth seeing anyway). There were ants in the bed and the tap in the sink was little more than a trickle. (A world away from the photos in the website, although ours was just a standard double). There was no stove in the room - the hotel does not claim this although a previous reviewer stated that every room has a stove.
Apart from a welcoming host at reception the night we arrived, we never saw any other staff members until we checked out three days later. That could be considered "unobtrusive" but the impression was more of neglect. It would have been nice to have someone saying
"good morning" at breakfast. Instead, you are left to your own devices, and a maid pops in very irregularly to top up the buffet.
We didn't try the restaurant so can't comment, but breakfast was mediocre. Although there was a good buffet selection - cold meats, cereal, breads, pastries, yoghurts, fruit etc, the bread was stale, and the flies were swarming round the fruit.
The setting is pretty, and the entrance drive to the hotel is well lit and welcoming, giving a good first impression. But you can't see the sea from anywhere in the hotel complex, as far as we could tell. It's certainly secluded, so in theory ideal for a romantic retreat. It's likely that the superior rooms and suites in the old building are more attractive. We asked for an upgrade but were only offered another similar standard room in the new building, even though the hotel seemed to be quite quiet.
Clearly, other people have had excellent experiences, so the hotel can't be ruled out, but it's worth getting as much info as possible about your room - perhaps even a photograph - before booking.
- Cortijo De La Reina Hotel
