Magic Rock Gardens

We went to the Magic Rock Garden Hotel from 23rd September to 30th 08. Wasn't sure what to expect, firstly of Benidorm, then the Hotel. I'd read reviews saying that people had stuff stolen from their rooms and that the maids sometimes didn't shut the doors properly after cleaning the rooms but, all in all, I actually quite liked this Hotel. First off, "cardiac hill", it's not that bad but could be a problem for wheelchairs or buggies but not as bad as we'd read. Second, the Hotel, once you get to the entrance, you have a few steps to go and reception is on the right. The Hotel is cavelike in design and there's a non-smoking area near reception, smokers need to walk further down the corridor to another bar, where there's limited seating and two pool tables. The food was pretty decent and the restaurant staff constantly changed tablecloths for the next guests. There's a snackbar ajacent to the swimming area where you can eat when the restaurant is closed, the pool is slightly away from the sunbed area so you won't get splashed by people jumping in and there's a smaller pool and other sunbathing areas all around the pool so no problem with sunloungers. I thought the staff were a bit surly at times but overall, they were doing their jobs efficiently. Our room (10th floor) was quite large as the Hotel have done away with balconies, there's a TV, Fridge, kettle and air conditioning (you hire remotes from reception for TV and A/C, 15 euros each, you get it back when you leave though). Entertainment was ok, kids enjoy it, but your 5 minutes walk from nightlife and bars and you have a self-service bar when you get back at night. It's really not a bad place to stay. Finally, there's a 2nd reception area at the back of the Hotel, your bus driver might drop you there and you'll have to make your own way to the main one (down 2 floors in the lift) as it's never appears occupied. If your all-inclusive, you can use the facilities at another 10 or so Hotels in the chain. Overall, Hotel....7/10.

Keith G, Edinburgh
Family with teenagers 12+

Just come back from Magic Rock stayed for 4 nights all inclusive. The hotel was fantastic, the food was great, plenty of choice and always presented well. The drink was available 24 hrs a day, we went with young boys so had to stay sobberish, would like to go with my husband so we could make more use of it! The only down side was the size of the room, we had booked a quad room which I thought would have been large but it was just a twin room with a sofa bed and a put up bed. When we asked about another room we were just told we would have to get in touch with who we had booked with. The hotel is in a lovely location the area is quieter at night than the centre of benidorm but it only takes 5 mins to get to the nightlife. The hill itself wasnt as bad as I had expected, but then I'm relatively fit, it would be a problem for people with walking difficulties. This hotel is the best all-inclusive I have been to and I would go again but I think it would probably be too busy in high season so I would go for a winter break again.

julie and angela, wigan
Family with Children 11 and Under

Really enjoyed stay here - food beautiful - only disadvantage was steep hill - but everything else made up for this

Mavis Cairns, Carrickfergus Northern ireland
Mature Couple (36+)

we went for 4 days in december it was bloody good after a little complications with our rooms at first that was sorted out the next dayby way of a gold card we had a brilliant time and would recomend it l

caroline jones, julie barber, manchester
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

15 of us stayed here, all girls age ranging from 20-59.We booked for 4 nights Fri-Tues to celebrate a 40th birthday.We had a fantastic time and would recommend this hotel to all,inc families with children.The fact that we had 24hr All inclusive was a definite plus,plenty to eat excellent selection of food,and the self service drinks were even better.We used 2 other hotels in the group,Magic Villa and Cristal Park and would return to these also.the location of Rock Gardens was spot on and the hotel itself was spotless,rooms cleaned and clean towels every day.weather was a lot hotter than expected, it was early March.The hill up to the hotel wasn't as steep as we expected from other reviews we had read.But, yes we would go back here and go for the all inclusive option again.

steph, aberdare,South Wales
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

I went to this all inclusive hotel on 2nd January 2007 for 1 week with my partner and 3yr old daughter.  It was one of the best winter holidays we have had.  Apart from the weather being fantastic, the hotel was the best we have been in.  The food was great, so much choice for everyone.  Rooms were very modern and clean, the towels and sheets were changed daily and the room was left spotless.  Apart from there being no balcony there was a massive window which opened like patio doors.  

Entertainment within the hotel was fantastic.  As we have a young child we did not venture out of the hotel in the evening but were very entertained in the main bar, which is really big.  It is just one of 3 bars.  All the staff within the hotel were really friendly and helpful.  In the summer this hotel would be fabulous with a massive pool.  The hotel is also a 24 hour inclusive which means when the bars close at 2.00am, there is self service for alcohol,soft drinks and food.

All in all I would recommend this hotel to young or old, with children etc and we will definately be going back in January 2008.

Claire Taylor, Glasgow
Family with Children 11 and Under

We arrived at the hotel on the 17th of July around 9:pm.  Check-in was easy at that time however the staff neglected to tell us that you needed a remote to operate the AC in the room. (15 euro deposit which you get back at check-out). Our first nights sleep was poor due to the heat.  The next day all was sorted and the cool room was lovely!  We booked a suite which was enormous! The room included a good sized family bath with shower, main bedroom area with wardrobe, dresser, bed side tables, phone and satelite tv and single pull-out sofabed. Through an archway lied the lounge, double pull-out sofabed, wardrobe and dresser. was The lounge had 2 balconies one with a table and chairs. The view from the balcony looked out over Benidorm and Levante beach. The room was cleaned daily if you vacated on time.

The food was good with plenty of variety. Breakfast included your traditional English breakfast items, cereals, fresh fruits, breads, yogurt, pastries, cheeses and cold meats. We went half-board but most chose the All-inclusive option. The pool snack bar included all drinks (beer & wine as well), burgers, fried fish, hot dogs, salads, fresh fruit, & some main dishes such as chili. Ice cream & coffee was also included. (Coffee in the snack bar is served from opening time until 1pm and then again from 4pm till 7pm.) Dinner had the most variety which included local dishes such as paella & spanish omelete. There's a kids menu which had fish fingers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, spring rolls & chips. The salad bar was good and included everything you could imagine and some local pasta salad dishes. Most nights had a carvery with either roast pork, turkey or roast beef. Hot pasta with sauces were available, lamb, meat & potato pie, 2 types of freshly grilled fishes, chicken vegies and so on. They even had on offer a pate' & cheese board table!  Some nights were based on a theme and my favourite was caribbean night where they had freshly chilled prawns & mussels and a tropical drink on arrival. Desserts were plenty and delicious!

Now to the activities... no raving about the hotel entertainment but it's what you would expect from a 3 star family hotel. They mostly catered for kids aged 2-13 so beware.. your older teens will be bored to tears! (The internet access and the Karaoke bars saved her sanity as well as ours!)  The pool was lovely but the kids on holiday don't pay attention to the no balls

Mrs N Sutton, Merseyside, England
Family with teenagers 12+

Stayed 18-27/6/2006

Went with mi dad and 9 yr old brother, thought the hotel was brilliant, plenty of choice in the restaurant, all inclusive highly recommended, but NOT the hill, but if your young enough no need to worry !!!!  Drinks service was great after 3.30am it's swipe your card yourself and drink as much as you can, also about another 6 hotels within the Benidorm area that you can use facilities...

Lisa Tattershall, Penistone, Barnsley
Family with Children 11 and Under

was here 13/5/06 till 21/5/06, loved everything about it, met loads of new people, staff was friendly & always happy to help, pool was a bit shady but used pool at villa benidorm a short walk away which is part of the amigos hotels, hoping to go back next year for my 40th birthday but struggling to get in, so that must say something about the hotel, but will do everything to get back there. only pitfull is the hill but wasnt too much of a prob for us, not a lot more i can say only see u all next year in benidorm.

Debbie, nottingham/england
Other

The hotel is typical 'Brits Abroad'.  I went along with 5 of my friends (all girls) and our kids (ranging from 9 to 16) for 6 nights on an all inclusive basis.
The food is basic but good, there is a room by the pool serving food throughout the day as well as the hotel restaurant.  There is plenty entertainment during the day for the kids and a Butlins style ballroom in the evenings.
The only issue is 'Mount Everest', the hotel is built on a very steep slope, everywhere you go is steps (good exercise, burn off all those extra calories).
The '24 hour all inclusive' is 24 hour, sandwiches were available after the restaurant closed.
We had a fantastic time the kids loved it, even exchanged email addresses with hotel entertainment staff.

Steph Macdermott, Leigh / England
Family with teenagers 12+

Stayed at the Rock Gardens for a week in October. Hotel was well equiped and very clean. Staff were very nice and helpful. Maid service was efficient. Food was good and varied. Even managed to make some nice unexpected aquaintances. Although we were with a mixed age group i.e 40's and children i would recommend the hotel for any age group and i'm sure my 19 year old daughter and 16 year old son would have loved it had they been with us.
All in all a good package. Only pitfall to the whole holiday was 'Cardiac Hill'. The hill up to the Hotel is not for the faint hearted.

Karen Pittard, Leicester
Group of Young Friends/Couples

I highly recommend it.
Very good food(breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Very close to the beach.

issam dagher, lebanon
Family with Children 11 and Under

Stayed here during June with my husband, 2 friends and their 2 children aged 10 and 12. Food is excellent. Such a vast variety and all very tasty and fresh. Stayed all inclusive but they also had tea making facilities in the room and supplied the makings as well. The canteen at the side of the pool for snacks is more like a mini restaurant,wonderful. 2 nice pools although not very large. Only 2 drawbacks - no balconies in any of the rooms (rooms are very large though) and it is up a very steep hill known as Cardiac Hill. Plenty of hotel entertainment and facilities. Would definately reccommend.

Marilyn Crook, Cardiff
Group of Mature Friends/Couples