Travelled with Saga Holidays. Would definitely visit this hotel again, and found it to be one of the cleanest and brightest we have ever stayed in. The old town, is just a short walk away, and the bars in the plaza were really good value, and very friendly. One bar in particular, the waiter named Juan went out of his way to welcome you every day. The name of the bar is Solimar Plaza cafe bar,Plaza Constitucion./ It is still a very Spanish area, and therefore, we really felt as if we were having a real holiday abroad, and not a touristy affair. Absolutely marvellous holiday, and the Hotel was the icing on the cake.

We stayed for 3 nights in the hotel. We were happy with the room, it was basic but very clean and the beds were comfy. All the rooms have sea facing balconies which give good views. The roof top terrace is nice and was always quiet when we went up. There is a large swimming pool and a smaller "basking" pool which were well maintained. For those who like reading there appears to be an informal book exchange taking place wih residents leaving finished books and taking other peoples on every floor.


The hotel is well situated and is a short walk into the town, alternatively the beach is over the road.

We had a B&B package and found the breakfast to fbe very nice and plenty of choice.

The Helios could be a good hotel. It has an excellent location, the bus into town stops almost outside the door, the food is more than adequate, the restaurant staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly, and it has an excellent Saga rep.
But then there is the NOISE level and the explosive manager. ( NOTE These comments are based on a February stay; it could be different in summer.)
The problem was two-fold and it may be unfair to blame the hotel for the first.. Apparently the Spanish government gives its old age pensioners subsidised holidays at hotels with unsold rooms - so bus-loads of them are constantly arriving or departing. It is obvious that many have never stayed in a hotel before - they are amazed at the winking lights on the lift button panel. Nor have they ever had the chance to serve themselves from a buffet offering a choice of meals - so they take everything, piling two plates with chicken on top of fried eggs on top of salad on top of spaghetti...and so on, which quickly depletes the food available to other guests. Worst, nearly all 'speak' in harsh tones with a loud voice. In fact, they converse by shouting at each other. But the Hotel Reception adds to the bedlam at meal times by playing loud music from the ceiling speakers; their favourites are a wailing adolescent and a screeching alto-sax player and these are played again and again. The Spanish OAPs respond to this competition by shouting still louder. This racket sends diners hurrying from the room but when I appealed to the manager to turn off his compulsory music he told me I should not have come to his hotel (he was right, there!) but gone instead to a monastery and emphasised his point by shrugging his jacket over his head to simulate a monk's cowl. Of course you can escape the hubbub in the public rooms by hiding in your bedroom where you will find the Spanish OAPs next door have turned up their TV sound to maximum volume at which pitch it stays until after midnight.

Almost on the front in the lovely town of Almunecar. Beaches perhaps not the best but miles of level promenade for walking. Some roadworks going on near the hotel but no noise.

Don't go if you expect to to find "little England" you'll certainly know you're abroad but most staff speak good English.

Free parking in a locked enclosure nearby.