I am giving the Masa International Hotel 4 stars out of a possible 5 because I cannot fault anything except... some of the staff came across as very un-friendly.
If I return to Torrevieja next year, I WILL stay in this hotel because of the good things I will describe later, BUT it would be nice if the bar staff and waitresses were taught to SMILE when dealing with a customer.
OK, I am an annoying foreigner. I'm English. English tourists that have come before me, might not have been good ambassadors for our nation. My Spanish is not good (I know "hello" "please" and "thank you" and a few food items and can count to 10 and that's about it for now) but I was not a troublesome guest - I didn't get drunk, I didn't disturb other people or break anything, or ask for anything unreasonable. But sometimes I felt like I was being a nuisance just being there. Sometimes I stood at the bar for nearly 10 minutes before anybody came to serve me. They never said "Sorry to keep you waiting" either.
I have worked in hotels, bars and restaurants. I was taught this: "The customer is not an interruption of your work, they are the purpose of it."
I got better (enthusiastic and friendly) service at the cheap 2-star apartment in Turkey which I visited in July. Maybe "Masa" are making so much money that making guests feel valued is not so important?
NOW THE GOOD THINGS:
1) The hotel is very clean, and smells wonderful throughout
2) My room was cleaned every day, with fresh towels and linen every day.
3) The breakfast was delicious, with plenty of choice (although I would expect this for 11 euros)
4) The pool area was lovely and quiet, with clean toilet facilities (but why was the pool bar shack never open?)
5) The panoramic sea-view is breathtaking
6) The hotel is only a 10 minute walk from the beach, and a small selection of local shops, bars and restaurants (with smiley wait-staff)
7) There is a bus stop outside the hotel, if you wish to go into Torrevieja proper (or towards Alicante)
8) The type of guests staying at the Masa were not your British Sun-reading lager louts; there were a lot of Spanish guests, a few families with well-behaved children, and some older couples of other nationalities. Torrevieja is a low-key resort for people who want a quiet relaxing time, so if you want fishbowl cocktails and drinking competitions then it's not the place for you. I came here for the sun, and I got it!
Please, just give us a smile next time.
- Masa International Torrevieja
- Masa International Hotel Torrevieja
