Im not sure about the other reviews, but for marbella - you should expect more. . . I stayed for 6 nights, at a great bargain rate of about £70 per night. but I soon learned that for another £20 per night you could have so much more - if you stayed elsewhere. And I think it would have been money well spent. you really do get what you pay for.
I travelled with my wife and all we wanted was somewhere to relax, sun bathe, swim, drink, eat good food and have fun. But we only got this from outside of El faro. I cant even say I had a good nights sleep.
Although on first impressions, the lobby and reception look perfectly acceptable for a 3 star establishment, the rooms were tired, out of date and lacked any attraction. very basic. I also asked for a double bed and got 2 singles. no good for a married couple. was told that there was no availability to move? on a positive note - the rooms are cleaned daily.
The pool is pretty poor. its small, is overcast by shade from 4pm, the sunbeds are old and worn, and uncomfortable. You are never offered drinks by the pool or visited by staff, and its just a bit grubby. it needs updating and modernising. there was no life around the pool, no music, and only ever a couple of people. Due to this - I found another hotel that allowed us to use their pool and spent most of my week there.
There was never anybody serving drinks at the bar, hence - nobody was ever there.
Breakfast was just about acceptable. there was a choice of fruit, cereal, croissant, bread, cakes and tea. but never any fresh fruit juice - only concentrate from a machine. nasty. but was also difficult getting a table - 15 available for too many rooms. the only option was to go down to eat very early or very late. (8am or 11am).
I only had 3 nights sleep out of 6. This was due to a bar that is directly next door. loud drums, dancing, noise, shouting / singing until 5am for 3 nights!!! It actually sounds like they drag furniture around. the noise was low thudding and constant - off and on from midnight to 5am. Trust me - you will not sleep. the hotel staff told me to complain to the bar owner. not good enough. you dont really want a room overlooking the main street, but then again, you dont want a room overlooking the rear - as its just wasteland / building.
The hotel is less than 5 minutes walk to the beach. you will just find yourself being out every day - all day.
On departure, I was told there is no courtesy room to shower when we collected our bags later in the evening. we checked out at midday. and flew at 23.20 hrs. not good enough.
This hotel does not suit young couples of families with children. it would suit older people, retired.
Whilst I accept it was a budget holiday at cheap accommodation - In hindsight, I would much rather have spent another 100 euros and stayed nearer to puerto banus.
Sorry El faro,you need to address some issues before I return. The 3 guys who I saw working during my stay were nice chaps, friendly, as were the cleaning staff housekeeping, but cannot address these issues on their own.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
