Gran Costa Del Sol

We stayed in the hotel all inclusive which was great value for money. The food was nice, plenty of choice and the staff were very attentive clearing plates and serving drinks. The rooms were clean and the beds comfortable great views from all rooms. The hotel is in a lovely town with plenty of other bars and restaurants near by. We will be returning very soon

sharon stobart, puckeridge
Mature Couple (36+)

Overall this Hotel represents great value for money. It is well located right on the Beach and is run very efficiently. It is quite a long way from the more fashionable places such as Marbella and Puerta Banus. This make visitng these places expensive unless you hire a car or are prepared to use the excellent buses. Thebed and breakfast option makes thi s hotel even better value as the buffet style breakfast is good quality and comprehensive. Th eonly disappointments were no iron in the room and apparently not one in the hotel! Also the swimming pool is too shallow to use for proper swimming.

Tim Mack, Brighton
Mature Couple (36+)

I booked this holiday only four weeks before the date of travel. The hotel was very good lue for money we stayed on the bed and breakfast option.The hotel is in a very good beachfront position and close to bars and shops.We were pleasantly surprised with the standard of accomodation the room was large and clean with a seaview.The breakfast had a wide selection and was of a resonable standard.Overall we enjoyed our stay and would continue returning for another visit.

SUSAN DENTON, Doncaster
Mature Couple (36+)

Just had a three day break visiting relatives in the Riviera area and decided to stay in a hotel as close as possible.Well,i was not dissapointed, from booking,departure,return, The hotel could not do enough for you.Fantastic Value.would do the same again and stay at the Gran Sol. Thanks.

Glyn Ellershaw, Sheffield, South Yorks.
Solo Traveller

I have had at least one holiday per year in La Cala but wanted a short - 5 night - break and my usual accommodation wasn not available. The Gran Sol has a super position, the room, bathroom, balcony overlooking the sea (and sunset) were great. I stayed bed and breakfast - breakfast was not great but adequate and there are so many small restaurants in La Cala it's easdy enough to go our for breakfast. I son't think think I'd have wanted any other meals there. My room was not cleaned one day and the following day only after I had complained at 2.30pm. I had a 9pm flight home so asked the morning before whether I could keep the room on late (30 Euros) but was told it was too early and to come back in the afternoon. In the afternoon I was told to come back after breakfast the next morning. Next morning I was told "No" - no mention of the word "sorry" - a bit lacking in customer service but given a courtesy room to shower at 5pm. So there were some bits missing from the "ideal hotel" but it was fair value

Geoff Wray, Bingley, West Yorkshire
Solo Traveller

myself and 13 blokes stayed at this hotel for a five day golf holiday and i have nothing but good things to say. rooms are a good size and comfortable resteraunt was nice and the staff very pleasant and helpful . la cala is lovely and fuengerola or marbella a short cab ride away . well worth a visit

paul skelton, london,uk
Group of Young Friends/Couples

We stayed  bed and breakfast in the Gran Costa Del Sol in March.   We had a lovely room on the 5th floor overlooking the pool and also a sea view. The town of La Cala is worth a visit we will certainly stay at the hotel again.

margaret trivett, South Wales
Mature Couple (36+)

Booked hotel for a group of 12 guys for golfing holiday. We travel every year to this area so we know La Cala pretty well, but this is the first time we have used this hotel. Rooms are very clean and well furnished with lots of space. Bathrooms are modern and clean with lots of hot water - great for a soak in the bath after golf. The storm drain at one side of the hotel was being worked on and it looked like some landscaping is going on.
Only downsides are, as mentioned in some other reviews, the cost of parking at the hotel at 10 euros a day is excessive and the parking spots very tight - it would be easy to scrape your car on the posts between every spot (why are they there?), but free parking is available approx 100 metres away. Why,why,why don't they improve the Breakfast - this was not 4 star quality - the bacon is the worst I have seen and the orange juice is flavoured water. The hot food could also be kept warmer. Saying that there is a good continental selection and this is catering for large numbers. Overall it certainly suited our needs and we would stay there again - but please, Mr. hotel manager, work on the food.

Ian M Johnson, Shipley / England
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

Stayed in room 609 - good views but on the side of the hotel that was in the shade from about 10.30 am. Also at ground floor level there was what appeared to be some sort of "drainage" running to the beach - not a pretty site. Hotel a good base and the staff were friendly. Food OK but not very warm. Parking expensive in hotel grounds (10 euros per day) but plenty of parking just a couple of minutes walk away and free. Lots of spanish people descended on the hotel at weekends and were very noisy but harmless so be prepared for that. Would stay again as we found it a useful base and not too far from the airport

angela james, staffordshire
Mature Couple (36+)

Rooms spacious, clean & luxurious. Bars - 1 in the hotel on 1st floor, very large, not too busy, excellent flamenco show once a week, see it once and you will want to see it again. Pool bar lively, staff there very accommodating, can't do enough for you. Reception staff a little frosty, but could be due to the pressure of having to book in so many people at one go. This is a Saga hotel but I am nowhere near my twilight years and I loved it. Stayed twice on all inclusive, food excellent, fresh and very varied. Not like your usual all inclusives. The village in which it is situated has a great bakery and coffee shop at the end of the lane, and if you turn right then a lovely spanish family run cafe/bar who remember your face & name each time you return. La Cala itself is unspoilt and a must for those seeking a bit of peace & quiet. To sum up - if you feel you deserve a treat, then stay at the Gran Hotel, go on, you're worth it.

DEBBIE COX, CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX
Mature Couple (36+)

We stayed at this hotel 2 years ago and had not had the chance to return. It is an excellent hotel. The staff are friendly and happy to help. We stayed all inclusive and the local spirits were fine. The hotel is in an excellent position on the beach and everyone will enjoy the small Mijas town. We had an adjoining room but I complained as someone was smoking next door and the smell was coming through the adjoining door, they offered us a different room, no problem. If you go out for the day you can also order a packed lunch. Me and my husband can recommend this hotel and we will definitely be returning soon.

janet duxbury, Cheshire. England.
Mature Couple (36+)

The Hotel is in the lovely small town of La Cala De Mijas on the Costa Del Sol.  The rooms were very clean & comfortable & the staff extremely frindly & helpful.  There was a good selection of food to suit all tastes.  The outdoor swimming pool was heated in November & set in perfect surroundings right next to the beach.  I will definitely use this hotel again & would recommend it to friends & family.

maureen nunns, Castleford/England
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

We have been twice to Gran costa del sol The bedrooms are excellent value for money and as we have close friends staying nearbye it is ideal for us.
My complaint which I have made to the hotel is that they charge 10euros per day for the carpark I think a concession should be made for paying guests!
The buffet for breakfast is reasonable!
Staff are good and helpful as a senior citizen I asked for help to unload a heavy case but was told no porter service on a Monday and porter only available for groups I asked for the manager but he confirmed it I did comment that he should come out to help me but "he refused"I will certainly return

Philip Strang, Glasgow Scotland
Mature Couple (36+)

booked a golfing holiday for 4 men. We were impressed with the location of the hotel and the car parking facilities ( 10e per day is a bit steep though ). The rooms were very clean on arrival and were cleaned each day to the same standard. we had bed & breakfast and there was plenty to eat as long as you didnt arrive late.the swimming pool was a bit rubbish but the beach was very good. good restaurants closeby .Try the Streets of London, you will love the menu and the chef is 10/10.For the price this is a good hotel.

Frank Masters, dorset / england
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

I have returned from a weeks stay at the Gran Costa Del Sol Hotel on the 1st June 2006 (B&B). There were 4 of us who stayed at the hotel out of a group of 8 that went on holiday together and i am very impressed. The reviews i had read about the hotel before i went were spot on, the breakfast is amazing with anything you need available self service in abundance and the staff do not make you feel uncomfortable if you turn up at 9.55am for breakfast. The Hotel is close to all the bars and restaurants in La Cala, the market on Saturday and Wednesday and of course it sits right on the beautiful La Cala Beach. We found the hotel very clean, with a mix of age groups and nationalitys. We are going back in September. A first class hotel.

Mrs L Mccawley-Mccune, Norwich England
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

Our stay at the Gran Hotel was very pleasant.  We found the room to be adequate, but disappointingly there were no tea/coffee facilities and no fridge (which would have been handy to keep water cool etc).  Our room was on the 4th floor at the beach end, facing the pool, with a lovely sea view.  The room itself was in need of a coat of paint - the wall next to the dressing table was very badly marked (which I assume was down to guests luggage scraping the wall.  I don't think it would be too much to ask for all the rooms to be freshly decorated just before the start of the Season i.e. maybe around February each year).

There was plenty of choice of food in the restaurant, but some of it was not too warm and had to be reheated in the microwave.

La Cala itself is a wonderful place to stay with easy access to lots of different places.  My tip would be don't get a taxi from the airport - go by train to Fuengirola and then cross the road and get the Marbella bus down into La Cala for a fraction of the cost.

Lots of different restaurants are available to try in La Cala but our favourite is one at the very end of the village - turn left at the end of the lane at the hotel - or walk along the beach until you come to a small promenande and rows of little white houses - the reastaurant sits one street behind the beach. (furthest away from the Castle end) - and the owner is Miguel.  It is a typical Spanish Bar and you will be made to feel very welcome.  We have been visiting La Cala many times over the last 20 years and have always been made to feel very welcome and the food is fantastic.

John Logan, Airdrie, Scotland
Mature Couple (36+)

We have just returned for a week and can tell you that the Hotel is very clean and very well run.  The rooms were of a 4 class standard and the way the Hotel is positioned all have a nice outlook - you can see the sea. The Staff were excellent.  The restaurant again excellently run, the dishes of food never ran out, there were never any queues. You were shown to a table instantly and you never had to wait for your wine and/or water. There was everything you could want for breakfast. Not very keen on lunch and dinner, there was plenty of choice but each day was very repetitive and not great! The clientele are mainly over 65 at this time of the year. The shows in the evening were quite good and it was nice to have the option of entertainment. My mother had been staying there for 3 weeks before we arrived and she is a semi-invalid and the staff carried her drinks and were very helpful. Worst time is at weekends when the Spanish arrive, long que for drinks only one bar man and the poor barman tries to clear hundreds of left semi filled glasses and put back charis and tables.  Ideal Hotel for the senior citizen - some of whom had more life in them than the young. Within easy walking distance of shops.

Linda Herbert, Cambridge England
Mature Couple (36+)

This is the third time we have stayed at this hotel so it must have something going for it. The location in La Cala Mijas Costa is nice and quiet at this time of year although the hotel can be busy around the second week end of March, which seems to be a Spanish holiday.
The hotel has nice big bedrooms with air conditioning, which we could not get working, a good lounge and bar and a small outside pool. Entertainment each night in the lounge. The food is adequate but sweets are rather unimaginative and breakfast bacon is not at all crispy but no different to any other Spanish hotel.
If the weather is clear you get lovely sunrises from rooms at the back of the hotel and sunsets at the front. Pity about the dried up river behind the hotel as it detractsd from the view from rooms at the back.
Book early and you get a great room price. We will probably go again next year as it makes a nice cheap break at the end of winter.

Tony Thompson, Coventry
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

A very nice clean hotel, where the staff are very helpful and friendly.  A very suutable hotel for the more mature visitor, as it is only five minutes walk to the town of La Cala and on the beach.  It is also quiet and homely.  Would recommend.  A great selection of self-serve food - spoiled for choice.

Mrs A Mitchell, Herts, England
Mature Couple (36+)

We had a wonderful time at your hotel, and look forward to staying there again at some point in the future. The service was outstanding and the staff very accommodating.  The rooms was excellent and always clean. we woulld give this hotel a ***** rating.

Many thanks for your service

jacqueline miller-calvert

jacqueline Miller-Calvert, Milton keynes
Mature Couple (36+)

An enjoyable hotel in a quite location of (La Cala)Mijas.
The room was of the highest quality & the morning breakfast
was good, eggs cooked freshly by the chef in front of you.
Some great places to eat in the area, especially the
Newmarket is one place not to leave off your eating calender, superb food & you are made very welcome (5 Min walk).
A sports bar up the road (Jacks Bar), which you can watch all sports (Football,Cricket,Boxing,etc on Sky).
The hotel is next to the beach & walk 200m along the beach,
then & sample some of the locally caught fish (ask Reception).
For the golfers (like us), Santana, La Cala & Mijas are only up the road (5-10 min drive).
Ideal holiday for people not wanting to be located in the busy resort (but 10 mins away in a cab, should you want to visit them).

Neil Jennings, London
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

We have just arrived back from a most enjoyable stay here.We found this Hotel an excellent base hired a car and in a weekend covered most of the Costa Del Sol. The Hotel is right on the beach and very central to get about from. Food was adequate but gave excellent value for money.There is not alot open in the immediate area this time of year but plenty close by if you dont mind a bus or car journey.

elaine ratcliffe, swindon/england
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

The hotel is very good value for money. Where else could you stay for £25 per person per night bed breakfast and evening meal. Hotel on the beach. Rooms are very clean and air conditioned. If you went out to eat and had menu of the day it woud be around 9 euro, and expect to pay around 16 euro for a 3 couse dinner.
As other have mentioned the food is ok??. in my opinion it all needs to be hotter by the time you sit down the meal is just luke warm. All buffet style.
The entertainment area could be better it is difficult to view as there is no raised stage as such.
Don't forget you are only a short taxi ride from the main town of Fuengilola.
We use the hotel as a base and get out in to the country side to see the real spain. But if you want beach its right on the doorstep.

91clive whittles, redditch
Mature Couple (36+)

The hotel in itself was fine good location for the beach and good beach bars very near also the town is only 10 min walk with plenty of restaurants and bars during the day.

The customer service leaves a lot to be desired staff was far form helpful.
The food was adequate but nothing to rave about
We found cleanliness a bit below standard with soiled cutlery and dishes and the rooms were not spotless either
Entertainment was very much depending on your particular taste but it was OK.

The most ridiculous thing was that the bar closed promptly at midnight.
So after dinner you had to go out and not to the nearby town as bars there also closed early

In conclusion not the standard we are accustomed to for a 4 star hotel in the area

Dennis Gonzalez, Gibraltar
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

I have stayed at this Hotel a number of times with my husband and also our 3year old grandaughter,I found it to be an ideal location which suited our needs perfectly. Rooms were a good size and clean, food typically hotel style, nothing to rave about. We always enjoy our stay and would continue to visit.

Christine Smith, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Mature Couple (36+)