This hotel is the one to book if you are going to stay in portinatx. The hotel is in a prime location, down the steps to the beach. The pool area was really not adequate for the size of the hotel and seemed a little dangerous with sunbeds right near the edge of the pool but we just crossed the sand and sunbathed in the waterpark which was a great bonus to this hotel.Drinks in waterpark are also included in the AI. Excellent for the kids and adults although not many slides it kept us entertained every day for the week. The food was fine, a dedicated pizza area and all the bread was baked fresh in the restaurant.Maids actually talked and the bar staff were great.
Entertainment was ok,but if you see a sign for elvis at the hotel stay away, it was an old bloke who didnt even sound like him, absolute rubbish. A much better elvis night was held in vincents bar which i recommend.

The El Greco is very clean,our rooms were cleaned every day. The air conditioning was fantastic with a Quiet mode so you cold have it on all night and it didn't keep you awake. The food was O.K. but very bland and repetative. The location is great, on the beach, down some steps,Not suitable for wheel chairs or people with mobility problems. The hotel staff were generally very helpfull, however some found it very difficult to smile and should not be in the service industry. The entertainment was good with different and varied acts most nights. You also have the added advantage of the water park, where the drinks and ice creams are included, One of the annoying things about the hotel is the use of cheap, small plastic cups they serve the drinks in for outside, perhaps larger cups would be better this would reduce the cues and you would't have to keep going to the bar every five minutes. The infamous smell was not a big issue, it wasn't really noticable.
Generally this is a good clean hotel with reasonable food and in a good position and I would return.

Our first trip to Ibiza and our first taste of All Inclusive. We werent sure what to expect and in summary I would imagine the majority of people would love this place. We had a good holiday but rather than just repeat what others have said I will give a critical view.

Firstly, the steps! The whole hotel is built pretty much on the side of a hill so it drops down in levels quite sharply. From leaving the hotel dining room area there were about 14 steps down to an upper terrace which was quite narrow and not much use as it was shaded all day. Then there were another 14 steps to the lower terrace where the outdoor bar was positioned (again narrow and shaded during the day) and then a further 10 steps to the pool and stage area (once again narrow with a number of sunbeds in the shade for large parts of the day). To leave the hotel you had to go back up to the upper terrace (thats 24 steps up) and then leave by the far gate and go down about 30 steps to the beach. In the mid day sun you soon get fed up of going up and down, up and down and I`m in very good nick! God help you if you aren`t a good walker.

The pool was WAY too small for the size of hotel, even at 7.30am every decent sunbed was taken with towels and NOBODY was sitting on them until at least 9am, very annoying. Yes, the Water Park across the way was brilliant for the kids but if I`m being critical, it didn`t open til 11am and there was a bunfight to get in and bag the best sunbeds. There were about 4 canvas beds that tilted, the rest were white flat plastic beds without adjustment and they look like they have never been cleaned, some of them were actually completely broken but they were never moved. At weekends there wasn`t enough sunbeds to go round.

The show stage by the hotel pool suffered because of its position, only about 20 or so tables were in front of it, the rest were out to the sides which meant watching any show was difficult. In any case, the standard of performer was pretty poor. The kids weren`t interested at all. To be fair, the entertainment staff were very good, always smiling, not their fault you couldnt see. Also, the pool/stage area is so small that every evening at 7pm they closed the area for 1 hour while they stacked up all the sunbeds and put the tables out. Bit more queueing for a bunfight to get the best tables. Elbows out and a silly fast walk (nobody likes to run to the tables now do they!)Then they reversed this at about 11.30pm to get ready for morning. No wonder the bar staff didn`t smile much. They must have been knackered doing that every day!

Inside the hotel, there were 6 floors but only 2 small lifts. You could wait 5 minutes or more for a lift to arrive and quite often it would be full. More walking up 4 flights of stairs for us! Fantastic.

Food? It was more than edible but a bit boring after a few days, we ate out a few times for some relief. I guess when you`ve paid all inclusive you want your moneys worth which meant that you found yourself strangely drawn to the hotel to the extent that your daily agenda is dictated by the meal times.
The dining room was packed at all times and while we never had to queue as such it was definately like joining the M25. Any sudden stop or change of direction ended in multiple pile ups of people. If you missed the beans it was safest to go all the way round the buffet and pick some up on your next lap to avoid carnage! `excuse me, excuse me, sorry, sorry, excuse me, sorry, excuse me` is the order of the day.
As mentioned elsewhere, if you`re Spanish they were all over you, smiles a plenty and couldn`t do enough. English? Don`t expect so much as a nod of acknowledgement.

A major disappointment was the `snacks` in between meal times. The morning snacks were what was left of breakfast, the afternoon snacks were cake selections from the evening menu and there were no evening snacks at all. All food was up in the hotel dining room so up those stairs you go! I have to say I was expecting hotdogs or similar to be served but there was nothing.

Drinks - Belter! Nothing wrong there, yes the bar shut at 11pm for free alcohol but in a family hotel I think thats fair enough. No sign of `watered down` drinks either. Yes they use smal plastic cups but if you want 10 drinks at once they give you 10, no problem!

Smell - I can only guess that once upon a time it stunk because its barely noticeable and if everyone didn`t keep going on about it you wouldn`t even pass comment.

Staff - Hmmm, the hotel is so big they treat you like its school dinners. It was our sons birthday, I asked for a cake. `No` was the response from the Restaraunt Manager. Just `No`, nothing else. Seriously, if he smiled I`m sure his face would crack. (unless you were spanish of course)

Rooms - 2 big double beds, a good bathroom and good wardrobe space. It did its job and the cleaners did their bit well enough. Good modern effective air con in the room. I woke up too cold almost every night and had to switch it off. As I understand it we were in a family room. There are no rooms with a seperate bedroom (not 100% about that but fairly sure) If you have teenage kids you won`t find it ideal at all.

If you know this hotel you may think this review is too harsh. We had a great holiday and I wouldn`t want to put people off but what I have written is how I see it. Would we go back? Probably not unless it was cheap enough (which it wasn`t!). Would I recommend it? Probably not unless you are stuck for options (which we were). Its the `least best` hotel I`ve ever stopped in which is more to do with the size of the place and the fact it was AI (which I wouldn`t do again) rather than the star rating but after reading the reviews I got exactly what I expected and with that in mind it was a nice break but perhaps not quite the lazy relaxing retreat I had in mind. Happy Step climbing:-)

Just returned from a 2 week break in Hotel El Greco. The hotel was lovely and clean and the maid was fantastic. My teenger found it difficult to get out of bed before 11.30am and she was always very considerate to let him have a lie in.

The staff were all very friendly except Mr Moody on the hotplate, whom I don't think wants to be working!!!. There was always a good variety of food on offer which was very well displayed, and excellent including the pizza bar which my son took a liking too.

The entertainment was not very good for teenagers. They have clubs up till 12 years old. Unfortunately my son is 13 years old and found I spent a fortune dishing out euros for the pool table which is 2E a game and the internet access which was 1E for 10 mins, not including the other games machines available.

The hotel location was very nice, but not for people with young children, disabilities or the elderly as it is situated in a very hilly Portinax, so be warned.

Although I enjoyed my relaxing holiday at El Greco, Portinax, feel there is little to do there and wont be returning.

We have just returned from 7 nights at the Hotel El Greco and have had a wonderful time. The whole hotel is spotless and the rooms are cleaned daily. Some of the pictures on the web do not do the rooms justice as they have recently been refurbished and this is not reflected in some websites.
There were 21 in our party ranging in age from 3 to 79 and we all had a great time. The only downside being the steps to the pool for the grandparents as it was just too much for them to manage everyday.
The food in the restaurant was fantastic and the show cooking area as good as anywhere.
The famous smell, yes some members of our party did have a faint smell in their rooms on occasions but they just plugged the plugholes with cotton wool and this seemed to do the trick.
The evening entertainment was a little poor and in the evening it was hard to find a quiet area but this was because the entertainment was indoors but in the height of the season I understand the entertainment is outside.
The water park was good for the 9 year olds but a bit small for the teenagers.
The main compliment of the hotel - you only find out how good a hotel and it's staff are in an emergency and unfortunately on our first day we did have a serious medical emergency when my mum aged 78 needed medical attention, the staff especially Jackie on reception were fantastic. They called the ambulance and even went out looking for it in their own vehicles when they thought it was taking too long to arrive. They translated to the paramedics and for the remainder of the week nothing was too much trouble, although Jackie did say if we were ever planning on going back to the El Greco to let her know so she could request the time off!!
I would definitely recommend the El Greco to anyone, especially for 7 nights, don

Just come back from our hols at El Greco......an excellent time had by all!

Hotel was clean and friendly, surrounding area is very scenic. food and drinks were plentyful, if you want a really good night out though go inton the town, I reccomend Vincents Bar, espesially if you have kids.

Just come home from our holiday at the El Greco. We had a really good time. The hotel was clean, our rooms were big enough and were cleaned daily. You couldnt fault the cleaners.

Stayed all inclusive and the food was better than other all inclusive holidays we have been on. A good variety and even my fussy 4 year old was happy.

The entertainement was very repetitive during the day but there seemed to be loads of people joining in. The evening entertainment was the norm for an all inclusive hotel. I think we had 5 nights out of the 10 when outside entertainement came in and the other nights were being done by the resident entertainers, Patty and Barry. It started off with mini disco which our 4 youngest kids loved, then onto bingo with the main entertainment starting at 10pm, which we found to be a bit too late. Most of the bar staff were friendly but Carlos 'the boss' had a grumpy head on at all times. The bar shut for all inclusive at 11pm (you could still get drinks up to 12pm) and we found many people complaining about this as the entertainment was still going on. It didnt bother us as we would get a few extra at quarter to 11 to last us.

The location wasnt a problem either with us. Yes there were loads of steps but we managed ok even with a buggy. The beach was brilliant and the few shops were enough for us. It meant we didnt have to spend too much money.

The pool area could have been bigger though and the pool itself was freezing. We also had a problem trying to get hold of umbrellas. I counted them one day and there were only 8 to be used, which isnt enough for the 240 odd rooms.

The Thompsons kids clubs were also brilliant. Our kids had a great time with Kate and Rachel. My eldest made loads of friends.

The pool area was really the only downside to the whole holiday. We didnt have brilliant weather either but there is nothing you can do about that!!! All in all a great holiday was had by all.

PS - Only on 2 occasions did we smell a sewage smell and it wasnt bad, it last a few mins (if that).

2nd visit and what a disapointment. After being spoilt 3 years ago with a massive room, we were allocated a room that was no-where near large enough for 2 adults 2 kids (aged 9 and 7) and an 18 month old baby who is still in a cot (I know I said I would only go back when I could do away with the buggy but things happen!). Luckily for us our 4 year old was next door with friends. Not even enough room to store the suitcases so they got put in the bathroom and got soaked every day due to the shower screen not being sufficient.
Again, we couldn't fault the food. More than enough choice to alternate daily.
The staff didn't seem as friendly this time around although 1 or 2 were the exception and were very friendly especially towards the kids.
The night time entertainment started after the mini disc (which lasted about 40 minutes and consisted of about 5 songs!) at about 21:10. It was very repetitive with bingo and then the scheduled act.

Please note...there is nothing for the older kids to do at night. There are 4 pool tables and about 5 game machines. Other than that the lifts and the stairwells seemed to be the activity of choice.

Would I go back to this hotel? Not when I compare it to my first visit but we were obviously spoilt then.

We have just returned from a fanastic relaxing holiday at the El Greco. It hotel is right on the beach and the beach is beautiful, there are alot of steps around the hotel and to the beach, which we didn't find a problem.
The smell everyone mentions is not that bad and rare.
The food is excellent which so much choice. The choice of drinks is very good and you only have to pay after 11pm and the bar closes at 12.30am.
The staff are excellent and work very hard (give them a tip early in your holiday and you will be well looked after, remember they don't get paid that well).
The water park is open everyday apart from Saturdays and a great sun catch, there are lots of sunbeds over there.
Under the stairs in the hotel is normally a pile of inflatable beds which the last guests have left so help yourself, not that they are expensive in the shops.
The rooms are basic but comfortable.
Hope you have a fab holiday!

all i can say is the best holiday i've ever had.
The food was great and i'm very fussy.
the enetertainment was great.
The staff were great, especially the entertainment staff.

Me and my friend had the best time and were only 16!!

The smell was rare and i only noticed it once.