H10 Estepona Palace

Hotel clean, no issues with communal areas, pool, room, food or location BUT terrible service from bar staff in the bar near the pool and the cocktail bar, staff were rude and purposely ignoring us, we were a large party but even when 4 of us went for lunch we waited 45 minutes for a drink and asked 3 times, they had been poured but not served. a couple of us complained and whilst they provided an extra waiter in the cocktail bar a couple of nights they are clearly under staffed and some of the staff would benefit from customer service training.

I stayed at this hotel with my family, and unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing, particularly considering the high price and the hotel's four-star rating.

First impression: From the moment we arrived, the building appeared dated and in need of refurbishment. The main lobby is very large, but it was uncomfortably hot, as the air conditioning appeared to be switched off despite it being the middle of July.

We were offered sparkling wine as a welcome drink. As I do not drink alcohol, I asked whether a non-alcoholic alternative was available and was simply directed to drink water. This did not create a particularly welcoming first impression.

Rooms: The room was disappointing. The wardrobe was extremely small—realistically suitable for one person. Travelling as a family, we had to leave most of our belongings in our suitcases. I have travelled regularly for many years and have rarely experienced such limited storage space in a hotel room.

The TV was small and positioned approximately four metres from the bed. There also appeared to have been previous water leakage through the ceiling and wall, with the affected areas seemingly painted over. During our stay, a maintenance worker also appeared to visit a neighbouring room several times, suggesting ongoing maintenance issues.

The bathroom was spacious but dated. The water pressure from the sink tap was extremely poor. The shower was particularly concerning, as the water temperature fluctuated unpredictably between extremely hot and ice cold. At one point, the water became so hot that it almost burned my back. In my opinion, this is a significant safety concern, particularly for elderly guests and children.

The air conditioning in the room was also inadequate, making the room uncomfortably hot during the daytime.

Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi was extremely slow, to the point that I had to rely on my personal mobile data instead.

Food and drinks: Breakfast and dinner were among the biggest disappointments. In my experience, approximately 95% of the food appeared to be processed or reheated, with very limited fresh options. There was a noticeable lack of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit, with much of the fruit appearing to be canned. This was particularly surprising for a hotel in Spain during July.

Service and hygiene: Many members of staff appeared overworked and tired. I had particular concerns regarding hygiene in the restaurant and catering areas. We noticed birds and bird droppings around areas where guests were eating, which raised questions about the overall hygiene standards. I also observed staff handling both used and clean plates, which did not give me confidence in the food hygiene practices.

Nearby activities: Most nearby activities and places of interest appear to be approximately one hour's walk from the hotel, so the location may not be ideal for guests who want easy access to entertainment and local attractions on foot.

Walkability: The hotel felt relatively isolated if you want to explore local cafés and restaurants. In our experience, reaching a good selection of cafés, restaurants and other amenities required approximately one hour of walking. Guests who enjoy having restaurants and cafés within a short walking distance should take this into consideration before booking.

Pool, beach and facilities: The hotel building and swimming pool areas generally appeared dated and, in my opinion, not maintained to the standard I would expect from a four-star property.

The beach area available to hotel guests also felt limited in terms of space. The sea water was surprisingly cold during our stay, despite outdoor temperatures being around 40°C.

Noteworthy details: The main issues that prospective guests should be aware of are the hygiene concerns in the restaurant and catering areas, the very high proportion of processed or reheated food with limited fresh fruit and vegetables, and the unpredictable shower water temperature. The shower could suddenly become extremely hot and, in my experience, almost caused a burn. I believe this is an important safety issue, particularly for families travelling with children and for elderly guests.

Overall: Unfortunately, I feel this hotel offers very poor value for the high price charged. Based on our experience, the facilities, rooms, food, hygiene standards and overall condition of the property did not meet the standard I would expect from a four-star hotel.

This was our first stay here as a family, and I would not choose to return. I would strongly recommend that prospective guests carefully consider recent reviews and compare other options before booking, particularly if travelling with children or elderly family members.