Young and Beautiful People
26 May 2008
Hi folks !!
We are young and beautiful people - I am 63 and my child bride is 57. This is the second time that we have been to this hotel and really enjoyed ourselves on both occasions. Previously having stayed at Las Palomas which has recently been upgraded to a four star hotel. We returned last week and we want to return in the near future. The hotel is tastefully furnished, has wonderful bathrooms and the room we stayed in on this occasion exceeded the quality of our last visit. We found the reception staff very responsive and accomodated our requests without delay. If you cannot find something that you like in the restaurant at breakfast or evening meal, we would be greatly surprised. Food is cooked in front of you on a regular basis - eggs in the morning and fish in the evening. The pool area is small and select, surrounded by beautifully laid out gardens. Only a short distance from the airport and Benalmadena marina, and the town of Torremolinas, there is much to see in the area, mostly within walking distance. Carihuela has some of the finest fish restuarants and beach bars on the Costa de Sol, along with local Spanish tapas bars. In conclusion a great place to holiday and we are definitely going back again very soon.
John Gallacher, Bournemouth UK
Mature Couple (36+)
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Not a 4 Star..Very Disappointed
01 March 2008
I stayed in this hotel about 4 years ago with my 9 year old daughter and realised then that it wasn't suited to children but was only there for 2 nights so it didn't really bother us. So when my partner and I were looking for a 4 star at the lastminute I had no hesitation in booking the Al Andaluz. What I did remember about the Al Andaluz was the friendly staff, good food, cleanliness BUT THAT IS NOT AS IT IS NOW.
This is no longer a 4 Star hotel. On check in the receptionist was very pleasant but that was the only good point to report. The room allocated to us was spacious overlooking the pool if you could see the pool through a massive palm tree right in front of the balcony, nice big bathroom with his/her sinks, complimentary soap shampoo shoe shine. 1st it looks like the changing rooms team have been in cause they have crackle glazed the headboards, wardrobes, interior doors, table, chairs mirror frames and it looks awful. A great way to admit you have done a refurb on the cheap. 5years ago you were greeted with natural timber with andalucian style borders. What a letdown. Safe didnt work so had to wait 1 hour for the tech guy to come and fix (change battery). Meal Times....Bland undercooked food and very little of it. Restaurant staff were lazy, miserable no greeting at any meal sitting. When we left the restaurant after dining our table still had our starter plates, dinner plates and dessert dishes on it. We eat in for two days and then eat out to get a change and its so cheap to eat out with so many cafes restaurants bars to choose from. The Bar area forget it unless you are not bothered about overpaying for your drinks eg Local Vodka & coke...Local Malibu & coke 18 Euros. At the time we stayed there was a dance competition on in Torremolinos and alot of the contestants were at the Hotel Drunk, Shouting from balcony to balcony right into the early hours, when i mentioned it to the reception nothing was done...maybe cause i was the foreigner and they were their friends. So I had a quiet word myself and it lestened but didnt stop altogether. I Wouldn't stay here again and wouldn't recommend it. Basic 3 Star Now. Treat yourself go to the Sol Aloha Puerto its perfect.
Joe, Cheshire
Young Couple (18-35)
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Good looking hotel
05 July 2007
Just spend 1 week at this good looking hotel in a family room.
The double room was spacy with two balconies and nice view to the main road and the see. Sometimes the noise from the road was annoying. The air conditioning was too noisy as well. But noise from other guests was not a problem.
The breakfast was as expected with ham eggs, cheese etc. but exactly the same food was served the whole week. The hotel was generaly very clean. The pool and garden was very good. The staff was very helpfull and friendly.
Tomasz Valdman, Denmark
Family with Children 11 and Under
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Review of 'ROYAL AL ANDALUS'
01 March 2007
Just come back from a long weekend at ths hotel - as a solo, female traveller, mid 40's. Hotel itself was nice enough, although I was given a very small room (overlooked by people waiting for the lift), which was happily changed on request. Having stayed at several 2* and 3* hotels in Torremolinos (Beach Club/Don Paquito/Tarik) I was expecting a little more from a 4* than was actually delivered. Good points - Yes, the room I eventually ended up with was quite nice, although the wardrobe door kept falling off it's track when i opened it! The bar was very smart, (although apart from the actual rooms the hotel is a no smoking building - so you smokers out there be aware). The breakfast menu was good, with a variety to please many nationalities, from full english or continental to pastries/fruit. I found the dining room service to be a disappointment - tables were set out lovely when first opened for dinner, however, if you did not manage to grab an unused table, previously occupied ones were not subsequently reset for later diners, leaving you to fend for cutlery, napkins and glasses yourself. The actual dinner menu was quite poor for a 4*, I thought - very little choice in "hot" main courses, a lot of it looked unappetizing and was only luke warm - some of it was unrecognizable (ie what type of fish/meat) and none of it was labelled for information. Whilst I am "a carnivorous brit abroad" I am cosmopolitan enough to expect and look forward to enjoying continental menus, rather than chips with everything - yet I still felt underwhelmed by the offerings.
As regards the area the hotel is set in, this is the first time I have stayed beyond the Bajondillo beach area. Again I was dissappointed. The hotel itself is set in lovely gardens, with a fountain and lovely planting, however, the area immediately outside of the hotel seemed very rundown, with graffiti and broken pavements, with plenty of dog dirt to step in. The various buildings seemed to consist of car dealerships/garages, closed down bars and shops, plus the local labour exchange/unemployment office, where several gangs of youths seemed to congregate. The few bars (I counted 3) in the immediate vicinity looked less than salubrious although if you were happy to walk down to the beach area there is more than enough nice bars to keep you busy - although as a lone female traveller I was loathe to do this in the evenings, preferring to take a taxi into town and back at around 5 Euro
Di B, Sheffield
Solo Traveller
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Review of 'ROYAL AL ANDALUS'
19 February 2007
This hotel lived up to its 4 star rating. We visited in February. Service and room standard was better than we expected. The food, though basic, was good value for money, and there was plenty of it. Outside the hotel, 10 mins in either direction, shops and eateries abound. Going back in october for 2 weeks.
david graham, lytham st annes
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
23 October 2006
The hotel is a comfortable,clean and well looked after.The grounds are small but well maintained and the pool and pool area is very clean.
Reception staff very friendly and helpfull but the restaurant staff seem a little glum.
Regarding the food, breakfast was good but the evening meal was very limited in variety, we even chose to eat out twice out of the week for a different option.
Overall 3/4 out of 5.
Stewart Whyle, Mansfield,Nottinghamshire,England
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
15 October 2006
October 2006: Weather was very sunny and around 25-28 deg C every day.
Clients were mainly mature couples from many european countries; there were only a few family groups while we were there.
Very clean very comfortable hotel; Reception and bar staff all fairly proficient in english (and some other languages.
Room was spacious and well equipped, large comfy double bed and one of the best showers we have had in many european hotels over the years. Room was serviced every day.
Breakfast (english and continental) is good and the evening meal is varied and most people will find something they will enjoy. While we were there the menu appeared to repeat after one week. If you want to eat out there are many choices along the sea front.
Pool is unheated but popular with a bar serving burgers, pizzas and toasted sandwiches throughout the day. The bar provides the only real shade immediately by the pool but shade lovers can find space under the trees in the extensive landscaped garden close by the pool.
The beach is about 10 minutes away (all downhill) and you pass several small supermarkets a chemist and a newspaper shop on the way.
Buses stop about 200 yards from the hotel and run regularly into Malaga and Fenguirola.
There is a train station 10-15 minutes walk up the hill into Torremolinas centre and trains run to both Malaga and Fenguirola and all towns en route. We paid €1.80 return per person for each trip. Tip: the train stops at the airport and is linked by walkways to the airport.
There was a car hire company 200 yards from the hotel.
All in all we had a lovely relaxed holiday helped by beautiful October weather.
Andy Walker, Hockwold, Norfolk, England
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
13 October 2006
I stayed 4 nights at this hotel as a solo traveller,I learn't that they do not have any rooms with balconies for single occupancy,the room I was first shown was small with a window overlooking the service entrance, I rejected it , insisting on a room with a balcony.The hotel oblidged.
The hotel is clean, spaciuos, poor food and near the centre of the town.
Carty, Ireland
Solo Traveller
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
17 July 2006
stayed at this hotel after uprading from another, best choice i have made, the hotel is clean, no sorry immaculate staff were great food 10/10 best choice of breakfast i have ever seen.
if anyone is dissapointed with this hotel maybe you had better build your own you will not be dissapointed at all
mike goodram, westhoughton
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
26 June 2006
Fab! Hotel is very well situated for beaches, shopping and lots of good bars and restaurants in La Cariheula. Hotel itself is quiet, spotlessly clean, has a great pool area - although there are not enough sunbeds - and lovely gardens. Ask for a sea view. Food very good and staff helpful. Fridge in room, which is v useful. Car park not very big and therefore parking is a bit of a problem. Excellent bus service and weather fantastic - hope its the same for you!
Sue Helliwell, Sheffield / England
Family with Children 11 and Under
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
30 March 2006
Reception and bar area was attractive and modern. I only stayed 1 night but the general standard of service was good, the bedrooms were clean, comfortable and well appointed. The gardens and pool area secluded from the main road and well maintained. Breakfast included a wide selection of food to cater for most nationalities, although it has to be said the cooked breakfast wasn't the best I've ever had.
gary doyle, North Yorkshire / UK
Solo Traveller
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
11 February 2006
thank you thank you alpharooms what a stunning hotel,this 4star should be 5 star hotel beutiful entrance, very friendly and helpfull staff from arriving to leaving nothing was too much trouble at any time,The rooms are fabulas and very clean and very comfortable the food was out of this world,magnificent gardens and pool area with very good evening free entertainment even at this time of year we cannot recomend this wonderfull Hotel highly enough we were there 31/01/06-08/02/06 and cannot wait to go back
David Heath, Doncaster / England
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
30 November 2005
Plus points
*Hotel staff very friendly and helpful.
*Rooms large, clean and plenty of storage space.
*No noise as hotel was off main road, but bars and shops were in walking distance.
*Lovely gardens and pool area.
Minus points
*Food was not to a four star hotel standard. I was glad that I was only there for a weekend, but always something to eat!
Tracey, Liverpool/England
Group of Mature Friends/Couples
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
23 November 2005
very nice hotel great staff good value for money very clean and quite .food nice selection will return
geoffrey cuckson, sheffield england
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
18 November 2005
the hotel is set in a quiet position close to the beach.the bedrooms are spacious and comfortable with the added bonus of a small fridge.the large balconies have excellent sea views and attract the sun for most of the day.the dining room is quite small but was never crowded and the staff were attentive without being obtrusive.while their was a limited choice of dishes on the menu the quality was excellent with fresh fish always available.the pool is set in a landscaped garden and is very secluded overall the hotel lives up to its four star rating and i would not hesitate to recommend it for comfort and value.
michael spencer, nottingham
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
09 October 2005
Good clean accommodation, helpfull staff, well appointed, ideal situation for exploring the surrounding area, would recommend.
Gerald F Aylward, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Solo Traveller
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
09 September 2005
We stayed here in February 2005. The hotel is very nice. The room was very spacious and extremely clean and a high standard. The meals were always very good quality and as much as you could eat. The entertainment at night was very poor to non existant and the pool was freezing during the day but having said that we really enjoyed our stay !!
George Porter, Liverpool
Family with Children 11 and Under
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
27 June 2005
The rooms were very spacious and nice decor. The staff were very friendly and efficient.The food was nice but not a lot of choice and seemed to be repetitive. Apart from that, the location is fine and we would go back there again.
Hugh Macdonald, Edinburgh/Scotland
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
23 June 2005
The hotel was as described. Excellent service. Great pool area (although there was a shortage of sun beds during my stay). Conveniently located near to local amenities. Highly recommended.
Gwyneth Hughes, North Wales
Other
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
14 June 2005
Lovely hotel , staff friendly & helpful. Very clean, great pool.
Claire White, Nuneaton/ England
Group of Young Friends/Couples
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Review of 'ROYAL AL-ANDALUS'
19 March 2005
The hotel Royal Al-Andalus was very clean and friendly i would reccomend it to anyone.
Helen, Paisley/Scotland
Other
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