Melia Benidorm

The higher reviews seem to be from people who had upgraded to Level.

Attractive looking hotel but lots of areas need attention. Reception and poolside is beautiful, but it’s a shame about tatty/dirty sofas in the lobby areas and bird poo on sun loungers! The rooms are also very old and dated (not what you expect in a 4 star) but this may depend on the “level” you have booked. Anyway, our room was 1655 and we had a swollen and mouldy doorframe in the bathroom, water running from the bath into the room. Also a nice chewing gum in my bedside lamp and stains in my bedsheet - lovely! We were a family of 3 and were only given 1 chair for the balcony, took 4 days to rectify. Our soap dispensers were also almost empty in the bathroom.

I would say that majority of staff are lovely here. However, there are some hotel politics between staff and guests, returning guests, whether you booked the upgrade and if you are Spanish.

I was threatened with violence by a Spanish man (who was there with a big group) however, staff plus a manager (name was possibly Emma) were unbothered. Anyway, we continually saw staff (cleaners, lifeguards and entertainment) frequently visiting this man’s groups sun loungers, making conversation/sitting with them etc. We never saw this kind of interaction with any other guests? We also frequently saw entertainment team interacting with only their children and even bringing in goods from the shop to them at the poolside. A lifeguard also sat with his back towards the pool chatting with them. The same lifeguard was also being given drinks from the bar by this family, which we also found strange. I just have to wonder who they were! However, they were Level customers so…

Although majority of the staff were lovely (especially the cleaners and canteen) there were a few minority who leave a very bad taste in your mouth. It seemed that once many Spanish guests left, we were then included by the animation team. Just a note to say (we aren’t English ourselves and we are bilingual) and we appreciate we are visitors in the country and that Spain has its own beautiful language and people. However, nobody should be above any guest regardless of background. One day my son and partner went to join their activity and they only allowed the Spanish guests to partake and acted as though they weren’t there. It was embarrassing! This is only one example but there were other instances of this. I have a health condition which affects my circulation and I had been standing at reception (1 guest in front of me) for 20 minutes and I started feeling faint. The response from the receptionist was “not my problem”, thankfully this was on our last day. By then I’d become accustomed to where we stood in the pecking order at this hotel.

The food we enjoyed and plenty of it, though I’m glad we weren’t all inclusive as there’s not difference between lunch and dinner. But the canteen (it resembles a school canteen) is absolute carnage and it’s never a relaxing sit down meal. However, if you upgrade it’s a very different experience, you have a restaurant set up and table service.

It’s a shame that they pour so much attention into customers at this hotel who have upgraded and disregard those who haven’t. I would say this was the hotels biggest flaw. Oh and also the fact that they allow queues of people to line up for 9 to reserve sun beds with brolly’s… whilst they’re out all day. They do say they have a no sun bed reservations policy but they only implement when suited. I was also disappointed by the staffs lack of regard toward an older couple who clearly had mobility needs. However, guests were quick to help them during their stay, despite the hotels lack of heart. Again, going back to who you are I suppose!

Shoutout to Selena who works at guest experience in the reception area. She is genuinely caring and thoughtful of guests. Muchas Gracias Selena.

If you are looking for a hotel that’s a little out of the crowd with lots of activities for children/adults around the pool, this place is a good shout. Lidl is also just over the road and you can keep things cool in the fridge in the room, we found this very handy.

Would also highly recommend Bamboo Chinese up the road €20 all you can eat gorgeous Chinese food and this includes drink. Ps don’t get a mojito from the bar unless you like bog water and plant leaves! Would have rated this hotel a 4 if not for the politics and unfriendliness.

Beautiful grounds & lagoon pool which is what I look for . Clean . Great toilets facilities around pool .
But I do have some issues to say with shower on first night was damaged unable to shower properly but it was sorted next day . Good 😊

Some issues i found to give feedback on where to improve ….

The air con is rubbish ! air con in the main dining room was shocking . Breakfast or evening meal i was so uncomfortable . I expected more from A 4 star hotel to provide air con that you can actually feel . Hallways , dining room & landings need better air con . I felt sorry for the staff to be honest. The amount of people pouring with sweat I saw was not like I have seen before in a dining room experience. X2 Lifts broke down leaving only 2 on the side I needed to use .. Which became again very uncomfortable experience crammed in the lift to go high up with people so sweaty . Not their fault . Lifts break but having good air com around the hotel would have made this experience better. Pool bar area not enough staff on , found at times the burgers hardly cooked , sent bk twice food cold as staff to busy serving drinks than getting food out to people . As again more staff needed. Got provided with room that we booked in advance on last day to shower & get dressed in before bus pick up but There had been no air con left on ready in the room or balcony doors left open so it was an oven making my daughter almost pass out .
I wish I hadn’t booked it . This was the housekeepers job to make sure room is ready when booked. You forgot the air con 🥵. Also our bed was never given clean sheets the whole week , they made the bed up that’s it with same sheets . I know this by the sand & dirt inside & left on top of the bed all week . This was terrible . I expect at least one clean sheet change in the heat we was having. I wasn’t told about the hire of towels on check in & only found out the day before I was due to fly home.
I would stay again yes , but I do hope The air improves . I would give it a 3.5 star more than a 4. Great location. Clean , great pool . Needs improvement in some areas .