MARBELLA, MAR-BELLA COLLECTION

It was always going to be a difficult act to follow for this hotel as we had been to Sani the year before. It is a really nice hotel but it definitely felt a bit like a second rate Sani. Positives The room was fantastic – we had a two-bedroom suite with private pool and great views. The kids loved the private pool. The only negative was that by about 3pm it was in the shade. The water park was great – again fantastic for the kids. It was a bit annoying to trek through the car park and up a hill to get to it but not a big deal. The service in the bars in the evening was great Negatives The mini bar in the room was rarely topped and the fridge temperatures were warm. The service at the restaurants was not great. At the buffet restaurant, some aggressive guy sits you down and then no one takes your drinks orders – by the time someone does come round, you’ve basically finished your meal. Although not the resorts’ fault, the wasp situation is horrendous after dark. We had to abandon one meal and then could never sit outside again after dark. The app service was a bit and miss. Sometimes I ordered and nothing ever came, sometimes I ordered and drinks came straight away. So it was a bit annoying never knowing quite what service you were going to get. In the end I just went up to the bars and ordered. The Wifi was fairly sketchy and I noticed that the cleaning around the pools could be better – it always seemed a bit grubby around the pools. The evening entertainment was a bit non-existent. There is no main stage or anything like that for acts. Summary A really enjoyable stay but having been to Sani the year before this definitely felt like a grade below.

I was a bit worried that we would be disappointed about our stay, as we usually stay at Ikos but I was pleasantly surprised. The hotel was beautiful and there was a variety of communal spaces, which meant it didn’t feel busy, even though our stay was during half term week. It was so lovely that people did not feel the need to get up early to reserve sun-beds. There was always plenty of space and again, it didn’t feel crowded at all. There were some welcome little extras- e.g. pottery, robotics and the sunset boat cruise. Staff were very accommodating in arranging these via email before our arrival. The staff were amazing and I felt that the standard of service was pretty close to Ikos. Food- we all really enjoyed! Buffet was ok but a la carte options were very good. Loved Kumquat and Celeste in particular. Drinks- excellent! Any branded drink you could wish for and cocktails were really good too. Things that would have made it perfect… -A dining area by the pool to enjoy poolside food, drinks and snacks as an alternative to using sun-beds -Lower temperature for the air-conditioning…it often felt warm in the room, as it only went as low as 19 degrees and you couldn’t leave the aircon on whilst out so the room ended up quite hot, even at the end of October! -An a la carte breakfast option and a proper a la carte lunch menu at any of the restaurants -More than one mini bar refill as standard, would have been lovely Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and the relaxed ambience of the place. I would definitely recommend.

We spent a week here in mid October and had the best family holiday! (we have 2 boys aged 10 and 8) As we checked in, the hotel had such a nice vibe - gorgeous smell (which you can buy as a candle in the shop!) and very nice bar areas near the lobby. We loved our room (which was one of the cheapest options), overlooking the main bar areas etc. Plenty of space in the room for the 4 of us. Our boys loved the waterpark pool but we spent most of our time down at the 'beach' which is a large decked area and spent our time swimming in the sea and making the most of the free pedaloes, kayaks, snorkelling gear and paddleboards. What a treat ordering hot and cold drinks and food right to your lounger! We've done a few all-inclusive holidays and this was the nicest hotel we've stayed in terms of: - the ambience and style (very much to our taste!) of the room, lobby, bar areas etc and the grounds are lovely and very well-kept - high standard! - the service was amazing, so many great staff - we've never had to wait such little time to get served *Special shout outs to Despona in M bar and Polysemi, Dollis and Nikos in the Deck Bar where we enjoyed lunching every day. All of these were so warm and really made our stay special!* - the food is good, no complaints - something for everyone! - the drinks are great, cocktails are fantastic and we enjoyed the wine too which we don't usually on all-in holidays We enjoyed the evening entertainment too! Only things to flag: - kids club was already fully booked when we got this (we were there during Welsh term time but was Scottish half term) - this didn't bother us as we had more family time but I guess you can book in advance. Likewise the sunset cruise was already booked as they only do this twice a week. Plenty of availability on the other free boat trip but it was a bit long for us - there's nowhere really to walk to outside the hotel - couple of tavernas, shops, we walked up the big hill behind the hotel. But we knew this when we booked. Plenty of buses to Corfu which pick up right from the hotel door! Overall we were very impressed with this hotel and have no complaints. Credit to all the staff who are the friendliest and most helpful we've met in any hotel, enjoy your winter break!

From start to finish could not fault this hotel it lives up to a 5 star hotel. It is quite a large hotel but don’t let that put you off as never queued for drinks or to be seated at meal times. The food was excellent at every service plenty of choice fresh and warm in the buffet restaurant I would say probably the best buffet dining we have had to a high standard. 4 a la carte which were fantastic the Asian restaurant was prob our favourite and you get to use a local Greek taverna which the food and service was fantastic plus a bit of dancing and plate smashing for kids. We upgraded to a private swim up room which our boys loved the room was very generous and presented to a high standard maid service morning and night and a restocked mini bar daily. Water slides and aqua park was a bonus with a bar with friendly staff. 2 bars in the lobby plenty of space to sit and activity’s every night from the entertainment team. 2 pools to choose from with a fresh water pool which was a bit cool on entering but once in was lovely. The beach area is a short walk again with a beach bar and snacks with loads of sun loungers to choose free use of the non motorised water sorts which we used daily and a really nice lad called sodarious runs it really good English and so helpful, he also works in the local taverna on an evening. We used the inclusive boat trip to the south of the island which was very relaxing and you get to have a good swim in a small cove once you arrive the water is crystal clear so take your snorkels. All of the staff from arriving to leaving were so pleasant always ready to serve you and with a smile We found the pool bar staff where we spent most of our time couldn’t do enough for you they were so polite and greeted you with a smile they have a lad called Jim who works there who is one the the nicest people we came across at the hotel and a credit to the hotel and works so hard to greet you with a smile and serve your every needs, he even came to meet us on the last morning at reception to say goodbye hopefully see you next time Jim it was a pleasure and thanks for looking after us. Don’t hesitate booking this hotel you will not be disappointed. To all the staff who were all so friendly from the ground workers and chefs and maids keep up the good work.

This is our 3rd visit and it just gets better. Service from all staff is 5* a special mention to Jim at the pool bar who goes the extra mile with a smile. Rooms are spotless, pool areas well kept. Only negative is the beach area, it can look untidy at times. The beach is much nicer at Elix. Will definitely be back again.