SBH Maxorata Resort

We had previously stayed at this hotel in February 2024. We booked this hotel as a last-minute cheap deal about a month before we flew. The price we paid for four of us in August was reasonable.

Travelling in August compared to February was a bit of an eye-opener.

Our room was a family room in block 3000, the room was perfectly fine spacious cleaned every day and the maid did a fantastic job of keeping it clean for the week. Yes, there were some marks on the wall from suitcases, etc but again for the price the room was perfectly adequate

The restaurant food was nice, however repetitive and cues sneaking around the restaurant for certain dishes that were being cooked- the layout of where they place the live cooking could be reviewed to improve this

We always managed to find a table and the staff we’re on top of clearing plates, etc

What really let this hotel down in August was the queues for the bar. Yes, we travelled in August many times but never seen cues for a bar. We often just had a quiet evening in the lobby after dinner and the lobby barbecue was up to 40 minutes on one evening.- again it’s not the staff fault- being in the lobby I went to complain to reception on how long we’ve had to wait to be sold by the staff the hotel is full and there’s nothing they could do- I asked to make the manager aware as it was getting ridiculous- we only had a couple of drinks whilst playing Uno but having to queue for 40 minutes in between each game and round of drinks was ridiculous.

The hotel grounds are looking more tired from when we visited last time, but appreciate it’s an all year round resort and maintenance is a big ongoing job. There was nothing that stopped us from enjoying the hotel.

As the hotel was full, we were unable to get a late checkout room but used the showers by the pool.

The location of the hotel is brilliant out of the gate and right and you’re into the town and beach.

When we arrived, we asked about the a à la carte restaurant and was told both were full for the week ahead. We ate out in the town instead for a change of scenery.

We brought our Stanley’s for use by the pool and restaurant- the little plastic cups were small and well well used.

In short, we had a great holiday- the hotel was fine and for what we paid in August we were happy. Would we return? Yes, but probably not in August again.

The staff work incredibly hard in the restaurants and bars and we felt sorry for them being so overworked all of the time- the management clearly need to look at their staffing levels when the hotel is full.

First of this is nowhere near a 4 star hotel this should be a 2 star at most. The hotel is very very run down with cracked tiles everywhere and paint peeling from all the buildings. The cleaning staff are absolutely useless there was always bin bags and glasses lying around the hotel. Another thing is the lifts they take forever and unless you want to walk up 10 sets of stairs it is your only option! This hotel is way to big and there is no where near enough staff to properly maintain it. The food was terrible is was always the same and the tapas restaurant was highly disappointing we ended up just going to get pizza after!! The rooms needed redoing as the sockets were coming out the wall and there was random scratches and stains all over the walls. Also there was broken glass and plates on the floor and nobody working here cared they just left it on the floor, it was ridiculous as there was children running around. The way the main restaurant was set out was not ideal the queues for things were so long and they went all the way around the restaurant. I also want to add this is probably something we thought but other than the animation team hardly any staff spoke English so we were constantly getting the wrong drinks. Speaking of the animation team they were absolutely amazing they work so hard and you can tell they really enjoy there jobs! Isa (isabelle) was amazing always getting everyone involved!They were amazing at getting everyone involved. The only good things about this hotel are location as it is right on the beach and next to all the shops and the view of the sea.

We were unsure of the hotel after booking seeing the transfer distance and reviews, firstly the transfer for us was nothing like described being 2 to 2 and half hours ours was around 1hr 30 to 1hr 45, that may be to do with easyJet numbers rather than other holiday companies.

The atmosphere was friendly and staff polite as usual there are the ones who seem to be on a go slow and others who go above and beyond but isn’t that everywhere in a hotel if this size, Check in was great they were more than helpful in settling us in and directing us to our room.

Our room was a family sea view room, probably the best sea view room we have had, it was clean and tidy, the housekeeper came everyday, always had toilet rolls and towels and bed made.

The entertainment was perfectly acceptable the team were great with most people if you were willing to engage and be friendly yourself. Queuing for drinks is the normal at any holiday destination, whether that Butlins or another hotel, just be patient and pick your times even when you queued in the evening there was always 3 guys on the bar when it got busy, same as the the daytime just be patient lots of people all wanting drinks all day but you would be maybe 5mins to 10mins..

The food was absolutely fine, this is the first time I have been away and not been ill due to poor food, I ate fish / Shellfish every day too so I was running the risk. Lots of people complaining about the variety but to be fair there is only so much you can do when catering for so many but for us we didn’t get bored as they switched it up enough to keep it fresh enough.

I will also say the Balinese beds and whirlpool with fruit and champagne is brilliant and a nice touch a great way to spend a day for a decent price too.

The price we paid we were happy with what we got, of course there were issues and items like broken glass and loose tiles around the pool etc but that is no different to any hotel.

I think the only thing that needs to be sorted is the star grading as different operators give it a different grading. That is not a slight on the hotel as we were happy and it exceeded our expectations based on the reviews.