We stayed at the apartments for a week to include the New Year. We booked using on the beach web site.

Overall we found the apartment excellent and exactly what we had wished for... total relaxation away from it all in the sunshine.

We had a bungalow/apartment that overlooked the quiet street on the front, with a sea view. The apartment was very clean and the fittings of a high quality. We ate breakfast in the apartment, as expected the on site shop was a little more expensive than the netto and the much cheaper spar shop. The hotel shop was hand for little incidentals.

Most of the time we used the beautiful pool area which was almost like our own private area most days, although there were many other guests (must all go to the beach). The hotel staff were very friendly, both Spanish receptions and the German gentleman. I do speak basic Spanish which came in useful in this resort. (we heard english voices twice all week). If I spoke spanish, most of the staff would answer in English if they could speak it.

Meals out we used the terazza del gato, (5 mins walk)or the H10 accross the road.for meals and the bar.

Lots of Germans but no problem, all very friendly. I did notice the food in the Esmeralda resturant looked a little bland in the evening so we paid 14 euros for the buffet at the H10 that was excellent.
Esmeralda apartments are situated in the nicest part of the resort.
I would go back without any hesitation for a complete relaxing break, although if you like English Bars and lots of night life this isn't the resort for you.

Esmeralda Maris Club Bungalows
I would say that this hotel is definitely at the best end of Costa Calmer; there is almost no building South of it and some nice beaches within walking distance. All information is in Spanish or German, so not a lot of English visitors. We booked independently and saw no tour operator brochures in English. The bungalows are massive compared to hotel rooms, featuring an open plan (reasonably equipped) kitchen lounge area, corner bath/shower bathroom and large bedroom. There was a front balcony and an inside courtyard area for drying clothes, privacy and shade. Some rooms have a sea view or overlook the road. Ours just looked out onto one of the walkways and the back of the other rooms. The advantage of this was that we were not disturbed by traffic noise and it was less windy.
The reception area is just stunning with reflective polished marble everywhere. The rooms are magnificent too. If you have cash to pamper yourself (we didn’t) there is a wellbeing area for steaming, massage yoga and that sort of thing. The heated pool is a bit shallow.
To us the big let down was the over-formality of the waiting staff and the food being kept warm, hopeless vegetables, very tough chicken, bony fish and a choice of rather fatty food. Still we learnt to avoid the dross and eat reasonably well. Reception were reasonably friendly and informed. but just not quire as friendly as we would have liked. Perhaps it is the Spanish way – they certainly did not seem hostile, just a bit indifferent.

Costa Calma is nice and central for great walks and visiting the West coast, which is mainly too treacherous for actual swimming. The wind surfing and kiting has to be seen to be believed; some of the better exponents lift themselves a good 15 feet into the air. The beach is sheltered and the water gets deep reasonably quickly. There is the usual German nudity; incidentally nudity is not to be confused with good health (there were plenty of Mrs DeVeres ‘call me Bubbles’ - if you watch “Little Britain”). In January there is no heating and the hot water is a bit dependent on the sun shining. Not a lot to do in the evening, so great for honeymooner’s!

TIPS The Netto supermarket up the road is the least poor value that we could find. There is cheap plonk available but mid-range wine (e.g. Rioja) and sprits look to be about the same price as in England. The Oasis park zoo and botanical gardens is about 10 minutes away by car. IF you have photo ID with you they will let you come back for free as many times as you like for the rest of your holiday (you do have to jump through some hoops though). It’s handy because admission is 19.50 euro which seems a lot, but actually is quite reasonable value. We enjoyed it very much and did return to see some of the performances that we had previously missed, we were a bit sorry for some of the birds and animals though. There is a lot to take in for one trip and some animals that were asleep on our first visit were active on the second visit (e.g. the otters).

The bungalows are a recent build and very well done.Spacious and well equipped with effective air conditioning, each having a private walled patio as well as a large patio at the front with sun loungers etc. Immaculately maintained. The reception staff are very helpful,all speak excellent English and are a mine of useful information.
We stayed half board, the meals are all help yourself buffets and of a good bistro type standard with plenty of choice.
True it doesnt have any entertainment and the only bar is in the restaurant , but there are plenty of hotels round and about that do.
Whilst the clientele are mainly german we found them to be the most pleasant and cultured of companions, unlike some of the Brits we had encountered in Correlejo the week before.
The beach is about 10 mins walk away, but well worth it. paradise. Going back in May

Very clean throughout, good facilities, superb air conditioned apartments with excellent service (maid service 5 days per week, clean towels 3 times per week and clean bed linen twice a week) and sea views from own terrace.
The staff were all very friendly always ready with a smile. The receptionists were particularly good; polite, efficient and endlessly helpful.
The 'Buffet' style breakfasts and evening meals were exceptional value for money. Eat as much as you like from a wide choice of good food.
Gusts were mainly German but the majority spoke english and were most friendly.
We will definitely go back next year.