Recently returned from a 6 week holiday at castle beach. As this was our first long stay holiday we were a little apprehensive, but have nothing but praise for this hotel, staff, food accommodation were all first class, will certainly return next winter. 5 days out of our 42 were a bit dull and wet, but he other 35 were between 18-24c.

Just returned from Castle Beach.

Nice hotel very clean.

Most of staff friendly.

Can be a bit dark if stopping in a block off main block though.

We had a good deal as there was a cock up on our booking and we were double booked through no fault of our own which worked out better for us as ended up in a 2 bedroom apartment instead of a 1 bed. Apartment was huge and well equipped.

Can't comment on food as never ate at hotel. Drinks in bar can be expensive.

The shopping centre is practically next door to hotel and is very well set out you can get all you need for a self catering holiday in the supermarket there.

Pool huge but didn't go in as weather wasn't that warm.

Childrens entertainment could have been better especially as it was Christmas, no real effort to make things exciting for children even though Santa was there christmas day. If you took presents with you then you could give them to him and he'd give them to your child our kids only 3 and 1 so we didn't bother with this.

Entertainment seemed to consist of children being asked to get items of clothing from people and putting them on stage then sitting on a chair, seemed pointless!!!

Hotel nice but location not too, good fair walk to town especially if you have small children or elderly also if walking to hotel at night then it's not very well lit and can feel very frightening if alone. No problems with gypsies none seen, my husband walked across bridge with no problems but would still recommend walking along main road bridge for safety it's not much further along than footbridge.

As said before nice hotel but wouldn't come again as resort not up to much

We have just returned from staying at the Myramar Castle Beach Hotel and we loved it. The hotel was spotless and in very good repair as it is only 3-4 years old. The standard of furnishings was high and the pools were terrific. The hotel is well worth the 4 stars that Airtours gives it. The food was very varied with a lot of healthy options and the barbecue offered fish, chicken and other meats.

The drinks were slightly expensive but we felt it was worth paying for as the free entertainment kept us amused all evening.

The entertainers were great with the kids although our son(2.5 years) will appreciate them more next year. He was more interested in the park that was on-site.

The shopping centre next door also had numerous tapas bars and restaurants and the roof had a children's play area with a bouncy castle a small safari train and a small race track with cars that seat an adult and a child, perfect for us.

We also ate out once for dinner at the 'Wok' restaurant across the bridge. This was fabulous value for money with 4 adults and one child eating 3 courses and drinks for only

FLIGHTS
Both the flight to and from left a few minutes early and were good although the headphone sockets didn't work so we were inable to listen to the film.
TRANSFERS
Went smoothly although the check in at Malaga airport on the way back doesn't open until two hours before you flight time and the reps have you there in the airport 2 hours before that standing in a queque waiting for the check in to open, not pleasant at all!
ROOM
When we arrived we were given a room which was already occupied by someone else, however a trip back to reception sorted that out immediately! The room were allocated finally overlooked the lidl bridge and stagnant water. Initially we were unhappy with the outlook and the fact that we never had sunshine on our balcony but in actual fact it was good to be able to sit out in the shade with a bit of a a breeze at times as it was so hot during the day.
The rooms were serviced by the maids every 2 days. Our hairdryer wasn,t working and was fixes within 30 minutes of the fault being reported.
HOTEL
The hotel was spotless, providing good entertainment and facilities, staff were polite and the pool area was clean with lots of sunbeds and umberellas provided although you had to be down early to secure one! The food in the Restaurant and the Aqua bar was good value for money with selections to suit everyone including vegetarians(my husband). The only negative comment I would have is that they don't allow you to take even a small ball into the pool to play with the kids, which seemed a bit strict to me.
LOCATION
The downside! Whilst it is near the Shopping centre it is a good walk into town and the beach, however there is a bus just at the front of the hotel which comes at 10mins and 40min past the hour and costs only 90 cents whether you go 1 stop or to its final destination. This bus takes you to the market which is on twice a week and is meant to be the largest in the Costa Del Sol. Alternatively a taxi costs approximately 6/7 euros.
BEACHES
There is a huge beach in Fuengirola and the nearest to the Hotel is the one beside the Solhail Castle which can be reached on foot in about 15 mins. We used to take the bus along to Los Boliches on the main promenade as there were plenty of places to eat that catered for the British tourist. There are a wide variety of places to eat and drink. There are lots of African ladies who braid hair and for a half head charge 15 - 20 euros.
EXCURSIONS
We went to the Gibralter tour via the hotel rep. This was very disappointing. The rep did not give us any local knowledge en route, the bus was dirty (ashtrays were missing, chewing gum stuck all over them at the back of the bus, air con not working, things left on the floor from a previous trip etc) We were given just under 2 hours to shop before having to return to the bus station to get the bus which was taking us on our tour of the rock, and then we were to get more time to shop. The minibuses did not arrive in time and were just under an hour late which meant that during this timewe were all standing around in the bus station waiting in the heat. The tour guide was terrific and the tour itself was good although the fabric of this bus was not good either it was at least cleaner! As the tour started later than expected it was cut short and we did not get to see the Pillars of Hercules. This also meant that the shopping time after the trip was curtailed to half an hour, so many people did not get the chance to get their gifts.
THE BLANKET TRIP
This was excellent, you have to sit through a sales pitch but then you are taken on a free tour. We went to Ronda which was beautiful with spectacular scenery. We had an excellent guide called Frances who was very informative, there seemed nothing she didn't know about the region!
TRANSPORT
We also visited Marbella, Puerto Banus and Benalmadena by getting the bust outside our hotel to the bus station and going from there. The transport network is cheap and reliable. There is a train station behind the bus staion if you want to go further afield. Buses go regularly to the mountain villages of Ronda and Mijas.
BEWARE
Don't walk home late at night, it is dark as you approach the underpass and there are undesirables hanging about. Take care of your belongings as you would at home. Also look out for people either in cars or on foot who come along side you and ask you if you are English as they will offer you scratch cards or free tickets to attractions they are most likely going to offer you special prizes either champagne, 600euros or a luxury holiday or car and all you'll have to do is sit through a 30 minute presentation which will last all afternoon. These people can be very persausive but it is a holiday plan they ares selling.
LASTLY!!!
Enjoy youself, there is plenty to do to keep you amused. There were 4 of us 2 adults and 2 kids aged 14 and 12 and we had a ball!

The apartments were nice and clean, very friendly staff.

We mostly went into Fuengirola at night so we can not tell you about the entertainment as were not there. It was only 15 mins walk into the resort centre so not that far, could catch a bus outside the hotel.

We visited this hotel during the half term holiday in February 06. We were staying on a half board basis, but were given an apartment, that had two spacious double bedrooms, a lovely bathroom and a well equiped kitchen!

The staff were friendly and helpful at all times and the evening entertainment was great.

The food was served buffet style and catered for all tastes.

The hotel and grounds were kept immaculate.

We didn't use the outside pool as it was still quite cold, but we did use the indoor pool that was always lovely and warm. (With the mandatory swim cap).

We had a lovely week and would certainly return to this hotel again.

We travelled with Airtours (First Time) and found the flights very good.

Children aged 15, 12, 10. I'm going to mention a few negative points but overall this is certainly not a negative report so read on.

The inside pool staff are horrible, take a swimming cap it's mandatory. All security staff need lessons on how to speak to kids. The distance from town/ beach is slighlty off putting. This hotel should definitely run a free shuttle bus. Drinks are slightly expensive sp stock up at happy hours (2 for 1)

Our kids loved this hotel & for the first time ever have asked to return. There are good facilities for the kids. Mark who is in charge of fun & games was ace, the best I have ever seen, nothing was a problem to him, I think of our holiday last year at Petra Mare in Crete & how the kids were bored all evening.

We booked self catering and upgraded to half board for

The apartment we were allocated overlooked the fields and mountains and could not have been better if we had chosen it ourselves. It was modern, very clean and had everything we needed for selfcatering.

Just around the corner was a new shopping complex called Miramar,which had some super shops and a giant supermarket called Eroski which had a great selection of food, drinks, etc.

We recommend you go on the Blanket trip to Ronda. This is an all day trip which takes you through the wonderful mountains to a lovely town. Because this trip is free you do have to spend about forty minutes listening to a promotion about blankets [hence Blanket Trip]. Our guide was superb and a mine of information about the Costa Del Sol. Some hotels charge up to forty euros for this trip, but at Castle Beach you can go for nothing.

One more thing. Do visit the Zoo in Fuengirola. It is a great place for adults and children, and the animals are all very well looked after.

The hotel was very clean.

The location was a bit out of the way which I thought was a good thing because it was a nice little walk at night. It took you about 10/15mins to walk into the centre of Fuengirola.

The hotel staff were really nice and helpful.

The hotel was nice and clean.

The pool was very big.

I would visit the hotel as it was an excellent holiday.

I hope you enjoy your stay as I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second visit here and last. Caters now for young groups that stay up all night screaming, shouting, singing, so if you have a pool view then no sleep and if you don't have pool view you have the stench of the fields. Entertainment has really gone downhill this year; not nearly as good as last year. Ate in the hotel restaurant once only and ate from the poolside bar once only as well - the food is not good at all. The drinks are so expensive.

Fuengirola itself is great and the distance from the centre is no problem as a good walk in the lovely weather is great. If you want to have a base but go out all day then it is a good place to stay but I wouldn't recommend planning on spending all day and all night there.