We booked our own flights (last minute) ex Dublin (Ryan Air) and return to Belfast (EasyJet) and was offered the Benalmadena Palace as four star accommodation (studio) for just under

We booked aoa with airtours and ended up in this hotel i was amazed, the standard was brilliant for the money, everything from the food to the rooms were excellent.

The apartments were roomy and very clean the staff were very friendly, also they had english staff working there. The choice of food was vast something for everybodys taste.

A great hotel and a wonderful holiday would recomend to all. The only downfall was its location up a steep hill.

We had both mums with us and had hired a car which was needed.

But you can go into the hotel next door and go to the ground floor in there lift and you come out at the bottom of the hill in the underground car park and do the same on the way back.

Well if your going on holiday to Benalmadena you have to stay at the best hotel there, The Benalmadena Palace it was excellent.

Reception is very helpful when you arrive deposit is 60 euros which will be refunded there two bar both on the lower floors between 5-6 happy hour and 10-11 happy hour buy one drink get one free, 3 euros a pint.

The food is excellent and the buffet is awesome all you can eat for 13 euros adult 8.50 kids.

Two outdoor pool and a indoor pool and jacuzzi plus spa and gym a 4 lifts a shop plus loads more, excellent entertainment we had a parrot show, snake show, bingo, discos, comedy, loads for the kids plus so much more.

Best hotel I've ever been to and as for the hill its a bit hard but after all the drink its good to walk it off cut through downstairs carpark and you miss half the hill out.

As for me I'm going back asap when you go say a big hola to Karla shes great enjoy your holiday p.s Tivoli World and Selwo Marina have great dolphins.

We stayed in the Benalmadena Palace for 5nights.. We had read mixed reviews on the internet some good some bad!

On arrival we checked in (nice & easy) all of the staff on reception were happy to help & spoke very good english! The hotel in general was very clean & there wasnt nothing to complain about... However we had 3 rooms 2 of which were very clean & tidy, the other smelt of cigaratte smoke (all of us are non smokers) & generally quite grubby.We phoned down to reception and they sent someone up within 5mins to clean the room!! So top marks for that! The only other bad thing i would say about the rooms is there was 2 single beds made to look like a double, so they wernt very comfetable!

The hotel entertainment staff were brilliant, every night there was a different act on all of which were surperb! The kids entertainment was just as good!! During the day there was something for everyone from grannies to toddlers! We was very impressed!! Happy hour is very good & we went there most nights you get a good shot of vodka!! ;-)

The pool areas are brillaint indoor & outdoor! Then theres the jacuzzi,sauna & gym! All very good. Theres also a huge games room for kids with lots of pool tables etc...

The main thing that lets the hotel down has to be the location. It is a long walk to the centre harbour area and by long i mean 35-45mins! Most nights we got a taxi which cost between 5euro & 7euro, the prices changed everynight, so do check before you get in & agree a price! Theres a place called 24hrsq were all the bars/clubs are its usually BOGOF on all drinks, and its about 6euro a drink. So not too bad.

Transport in around the area is cheap & run on time! We used trains, buses & taxis and found none of them to be a problem. The bus stops are at the bottom of the hill!

Theres plenty to do in and around the area. We went to Malaga,Torrelmnious,Feungriola & Puerto Banus. The chair lifts in benalamdena are brill & if you go on a clear day the views are breathtaking! On past trips to Benalmadena we have also been to the waterparks,crocodile park, sealife centre & to the lakes!! There is something for everyone.

For good places to eat i would recommmend going upto Arroya (the top end of Benalamadena) and going to The Wok a chinese all you can eat buffet for about 12 euro, it was the best meal we had while we was there! Its very modern/clean like something you would see back home! Another good place to eat is about 2mins away from the train station on the main road called JJ's! They do 12oz steaks but i think i was more a 18oz! Also had sunday dinner there & could not fault it!!! So if your up that way pop in you wont be disappointed.

The beach is in easy walking distance ive got to say though its not that niceist. For a beatiful beach pop on the train to Carajal heading towards Fuengirola.

Last but not least Ive got to mention the HILL!!! Its really not that bad at all. If your young fit & healthy it shouldnt cause you any problems however I can see the problem with older/people with walking disablites..

I think Ive just about mentioned everything. All I can say is I will definitely be returning in the summer. =)

We were recommended to this hotel by our travel agent manager she goes there every year. Upon arrival we were given our keys and it was on the top floor, an attic, so small you couldn't swing a cat in it. After several visits to the reception we were told we could upgrade to a 1 bedroom apartment, which was what we thought we were in to start with at a cost of 10euros per night. When we approached the rep she was no help at all and didn't seem to be bothered she never smiled no good morning nothing.

We found the entertainment boring the big screen was in the disco bar so the we had to watch that whilst the music was blaring.

Most of the staff were lovely but a few of them were really rude.

There was building sites to two sides of the hotel.

The indoor pool and spa were nice and so were the activities for young children.

No I wouldn't go there again.

It was clean and we had a lovely maid called Vanessa nothing was too much trouble

I Have to say we couldn't fault the overall standard of this hotel. We Stayed in a 2 bedroomed apartment, which was a brilliant size with lots of storage space, and even 2 bathrooms.

The staff were all a really good laugh, very welcoming and always willing to help.We found one of the lifeguards particularly amusing, if you talk to him you will understand why, just a lovely guy. We also loved the reception staff, they were very friendly and there are also a few characters there to.

I have to say to those people who have read any bad reviews, if you are generally easily pleased then you will absolutely adore this hotel. We found during our stay that the people who had complaints to make were generally complaining about very petty things.

The hotel was clean, a fantastic size with magnificent facilties! The hill was manageable, and no way near as bad as people make it out to be. In fact we found the hotel quite refreshing to be situated on an unusual setting, it made you feel safe and secluded rather than facing busy roads, and bustling pavements.

The location is good, we generally got taxis to the marina which cost about 8euros; this worked out at about

Just returned from holiday,and having read previous reports,had went with some trepidation about hotel and resort.

But have just had most fantastic holiday,hotel fantastic,staff friendly and approachable,rep brilliant.Rooms clean, modernand decent size.

Went self catering so cant comment on hotel food,but plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby.We shopped in nearby supermarket bottleof wine 50cents/35p,2ltr orange juice 70ents/50p so cheap.

We mainly went to beach about 5 mins from hotel sand
shingly and very hot, but very clean one word of warning
the shore on santa ana playa shelves into sea and within 10ft of beach its about 6ft deep.

Would definetly recommend trip to Gibraltar tour guides fantastic and the apes amazing dont switch your video camera off when there around so funny.
Marina beautiful ,I could go on. Would definitly go back.

We stayed in the Benalmadena Palace. On arrival we were disappointed in the location of the hotel but had already been aware of the steep incline.

The reception area was pleasant and modern and although our room wasn't ready, we were offered a drink whilst we waited.

The one bedroom apartment was adequate for our young family but the lock on the bedroom window was broken and the room was certainly not spotless although you couldn't say it was filthy either. We contacted reception and anything we pointed out was rectified ASAP.

The pool area was quite off-putting to begin with as all the sun loungers were squashed together but thanks to the respectful nature of the client-group staying at the hotel the pool area was a very pleasant place to send the day. There were lots of activities too which kept out 8 yr old happy!(The pool area could also do with a bit of a clean)

All in all, we were pleased with our holiday but we had a very lazy cleaner who kept forgetting to empty the bins and replace linen.If the hotel was rated 3 star we would have been impressed but as a 4 star, it does lack something.

We visited this hotel recently and would return again.

The staff were extremely helpful and friendly.

The rooms were cleaned nearly every day towels changed every day and bins emptied every day.

We didn't use the restaurant but from what we could gather from other guests the food was nice and plentiful. We did use the snack bar and that was delicious they also have an outdoor BBQ with a good selection.

The hill, yes it is a good one, the first bit isn,t to bad if u take it steady, the last bit is very steep but you can avoid this by using the lift in the hotel. Go down to nought walk through the car park and out of the door at the end. Your door key will open the smallest door you are then half way down do the same for coming back and you save yourself a lot of gasping and grunting.

The hotel and location were on the whole terrific and we will be sure to visit again.

Couldnt fault this hotel.

The rooms were a good size and the A/C was a blessing when coming back after a long walk in the sun.

As for the famous hill it turned out to be no trouble either just go through the car park or even better go out the back way. near the indoor pool you will find a path that leads down to the main road and supermarket. you need your key to open the gate but it isnt steep at all.

I did like the little extras they did like when you are at the pool the staff brings out trays of melon or fruit for you. although my eyes almost popped out of my head when just after some melon i seen them come out with trays of beer. sadly it was for a table.

The kids loved the pool and spent most of the day in it.

The food wasnt too great and we walked to the marina most nights to eat.
i have one of those kids who is a very fussy eater and didnt like anything at the hotel. thats why the walk to the marina. we found a lovely place there that my son loved.

We would go back again next year if not the only reason would be to get a hotel closer to the marina