We honestly did not expect much when we booked it, especially as it worked out at under £100 for 2 of us for 7 nights!!

Did outside does not look overly appealing, but we were greeted by a friendly receptionist who was helpful and offered advice on the area and where things were in the Old Town. They do require a €30 deposit plus a charge of €10 for the use of the safe, and they also needed a deposit for the use of the TV remote too - which we decided against.

We stayed in the older complex, but the room was large and reasonably well equipped - we only used the kitchen for breakfast, so the space was a bonus, and the views from our balcony were beautiful. The bedroom was basic - typical hard bed and thin sheets, but it ended up being suprisingly comfy and we both slept well. The main thing that let it down was the bathroom. There were a number of cracked tiles, brown staining on the floor and staining in the bottom of the bath too, but the shower is the best I've used in any hotel I've stayed in - no pins-and-needles sensation at all!!

The pool was never busy, which made us feel privilaged and relaxed. It was a great location to top up your tan with the space catching the sun from sunrise to approximately 4pm. The pool itself was clean and a good size to have a bit of a swim, but be warmed, it is very, very cold!

Which ever way you choose to go into the Old Town, there are two sets of steps with around 100 steps each, but we just made a point of taking our time. The general area around the hotel is not amazing - but we never experienced any trouble.

The staff were helpful when we stayed there and were considerate in printing things out for us and helped to book our transfers for our trip back. The cleaning staff are keen! I had one walk in on me in the bathroom, and the poor woman was greeted with a very loud scream! The cleaners changed our towels 4 times during the week, which is more than they specify. Our bedding was not changed for the week, which did not bother me, but it would have felt fresher if they had part way through the week especially as it was very hot some evenings.

If you are looking for luxury, then this place won't be for you, but if like us you only use your room to sleep and shower, then it's perfect.

We were in a superior apartment in the Cerro Malpique 2 building. It was a large, airy apartments with all mod cons and a nice sea view. The pool was great, The staff were amazing more helpfully than we could have expected and nothing was too much trouble.

Just returned from Cerro Malpique after reading reveiws was a little apprehensive however there was no need to be. Appatment clean and spacious staff friendly and helpful. The only downside was steps and hills but the whole of the old town is hilly. I would have no hesitation in returning to these appartments. People with mobility problems may stuggle with hill also families with small children.The calories burnt off walking to and from town relives a little of the guilt of eating and drinking all the good food the many resturants and bars have to offer.Only booked a late deal so little was available but felt very lucky to have booked in this location.People comlaining about standards should consider what they have paid if you want 4 star accomodation pay 4 star price

Stayed in these self catering apartments 5th - 12 September as solo traveller.. room & transfer booked via "Alpha Rooms".....

Arrived at reception & was given key , map etc. My room was in Block 1 ( the older block )... My overall impression was as follows..... PS - 27 degrees every day.....

ROOM - Spacious & fairly clean - all you would need in the kitchen for self catering, small balcony with partial sea views. so all good there. A negative point was the bed though which was very hard & uncomfortable - spent half the time just sleeping on the couch.. No air conditioning ( you can rent a fan at 15 euro a week but didnt bother as its only circulating warm air).. bathroom with shower & bath - towels changed 3 times in week.. safe key - 15 euro a week to rent & 30 euro deposit ( returned upon leaving ).. 24 hr reception..

LOCATION - Good - a downward walk out to the road, right turn , then left down about 100 steep steps, then right turn down to the centre of old town which was nice & plenty of bars & resteraunts ( try the central bar in the square - 1 euro for a small beer / 2 euro for a large - avoid some of the others who charge 3.50 euro near to the main walk through in the town with kareoke bars / singers outside )... i thought i was fit but have to say the 100 steps back up at end of night are a bit of a killer!! - you can get a bus from the staion at the square to the new town ( strip ) for 1 euro or take the coastal walk from the top of the escalators - bout a 30 min walk.. There is also a LIDL about a 10 minute walk from the Hotel - (outside turn right, then right down hill, then left up to main road - its there) excellent for room supplies..

Overall positives & negatives!!!

POSITIVES - Location - Sapacious room - Pool area quiet & clean. Old town , fishermans beach , coastal walk, Oura beach at New town..

NEGATIVES - Uncomfortable beds - also the obsession with asking for a deposit for everything. They even wanted a deposit of 30 euro for the TV Remote?? i asked why so high & they said "people sometimes take it" ( Nonsence -who needs to steal a Remote?).. The point is that if people take the safe key (advised) & the Remote ( i didnt bother with it in the end- i was on holiday so not bothered about UK News) then they have tied up 60 euro they couldve spent in the town (didnt effect me as i had another Euro break after but for those on their only break this seems silly to get this back at the end when your leaving!!)

On arrival - i asked about the more modern rooms in Block 2 - the only difference is that they have air con & full sea view thats all... i was told that they could move me there for 70 euro extra.. i asked if they had any rooms in block 2 which seemed a bit safer looking as was on my own. - was told a few were available but they wouldnt budge on the 70 euro.. I asked if a nominal fee of 30 euro would suffice as only 1 person in room but told no.. a bit dissapointed in their attitude & didnt bother in the end - not worth the extra....

Overall - a good clean basic hotel - 3 stars prob about most i would give... if you can get it for £250 pp or less, a good deal. any higher & your probably overpaying... Would probably stay again if a cheap deal could be had.... A pleasant break - Albuferia's really nice..