We stayed in this hotel in September 2011 as a group of 12, ages ranging from 1 year to 75 years old!
Firstly, hotel staff left a lot to be desired. Our rooms weren't ready on arrival, the staff were quite unhelpful. Also, we'd been promised a low floor room, only to be put on the 3rd floor. We had a 3 year old with us, and I was worried all week about the balcony door.
The hotel itself is OK. We were staying in block B, and unfortunately I must echo previous reviews and say that block A is definitely the nicer block. The views over the sea from Block A are fantastic, and the block itself is just generally better kept and tidier. They did seem to put all the Spanish and German guests in Block A, and all the English guests together in Block B (which might suit some guests better, I suppose).
The food was a fairly good standard. We've stayed in many all inclusive hotels, this probably had the most variety out of all the hotels I've stayed in. It was all hot, fresh and replenished regularly. The only problem was there was no snack bar. We usually have a few days of eating lunch around the pool from the snack bar while we're on holiday, so we found this quite restrictive.
The drinks were fine, just what you'd expect from an all inclusive hotel. The only problem was the rude bar staff and the ridiculously strict rules on drinks (both soft and alcoholic). Once you'd left the buffet at breakfast, you were unable to get a drink of tea/coffee/juice/water from anywhere until 11.30am. The bar staff would actually scold the guests for asking or trying to get one! As we were travelling with small children and pensioners, this was unacceptable, especially in the heat. I can understand them closing the actual bar until later, but they really should have made the water cooler and soft drinks accessible to guests at all times.
No more than 2 drinks or ice creams per guest at any one time. This was annoying to us as we have three children, so I couldn't go and get all of my children a drink or ice cream at once, I would have to go first, them my husband, which was just ridiculous as the bar staff could clearly see we had three little ones with us. These rules were rigidly enforced by all staff, so presumably the management really crack the whip over it.
The rooms were OK. Very basic, absolutely spotless but unfortunately really small. Nowhere near big enough for a family (as advertised), probably JUST big enough for a couple. The balconies were fine. Air conditioning in rooms was great, all rooms had a TV with many English channels (including CBBC for the kids).
The pools were great. Kids pool with lots of slides was fantastic, the kids would spend all day in there if we let them! Also had a large kids play area, and the kids club was great too.
The entertainment was mostly of a really high standard. Something for everyone, some really good singers and dancers. The kids minidisco was great. If your kid asks one of the animacion staff, they let the kids get dressed up and go on stage with them! Loads of fun, our daughter really enjoyed it.
Overall, the hotel was OK but I wouldn't book it again. If you've already booked, don't panic! You'll enjoy your holiday! It just wasn't for us.
- Hotel Aguamarina
