We were at this hotel in July 2011. The first thing I'd like to stress is how fantastic the staff are. From the manager to the room attendants, the staff really go the extra mile.
However the huge let down for this hotel was the food. We went half board and the breakfast was the worst I have ever experienced anywhere. Fried food dripping in grease, people lining up to use the faulty toaster. No Variety, same choice of fried eggs bacon swimming in pools of oil, or ham and cheese every day. There was no Spanish bread or pastries not even a croissant. Watered down instant coffee which at times tasted of nothing, and at best like dishwater. Terrible cereals, incredibly poor quality fruit (apples and oranges) and sadly the evening meal was no better.
The evening meals were the worst. No variety, stale bread/chips, nothing was labelled so you would be eating something not having a clue what it was. There was no vegetarian option, unless you wish to survive your holiday on iceberg lettuce and peppers.
The food was just awful, they don't cater for a Spanish or British pallet, nor any humans pallet if I were to be honest.
My husband is Spanish and I'm used to Spanish food but this was neither Spanish nor British food. Apart from one day when they had fried fish that was passable, in general the food was rubbish and ALWAYS cold, even if you were first in. The choice of "desserts" were ridiculous, unless you enjoy red jelly, yellow jelly, or brown jelly which was the only choice for the first 4 days! What was even worse was that the same jelly was served out again and again, which clearly had seen better days. The chef was very friendly just too bad he cant cook. We ended up eating out and often coincided with other guests from the hotel also on half board also eating out.
The hotel in itself was lovely, I really liked the pool it was great and never busy. The rooms were spotless, and the location very nice. I would go back to the Hotel Montemar but not on the same package unless they got a new chef that has a more realistic idea of cooking for a certain number of guests and a much better menu.
One other thing, the drinks, even soft drinks and coffee were incredibly expensive, the bar closed VERY early, we are not drinkers so that didnt bother us, but we did hear others complain. They do have a cold drinks machine in the garden which cost 2 euros per can which is ridiculous when if you walk to the shop the same thing costs you half a euro.
All in all the hotel is lovely, the staff are amazing, but the food is horrendous which if were completely re-hauled I would have rated higher.
