Sol Torremolinos – Don Marco

When writing a review, as much as you would like to write only about the positives, one has to be honest with the readers, and provide as much info as possible, even if it includes the occasional negative. We searched the internet and various travel sites and decided to look into Torremolinos, Spain. We came across a resort, hosting 3 hotels. Two being more family orientated and one adult only. Making our reservation with BRIAN directly at their head office in Barcelona, we chose the adult only hotel, Don Marco. When Brian asked if we’d like two single beds or one king, of course we opted for one king. I mentioned we were coming for my Husband’s birthday. Immediately he said they would put a bottle of champagne in the room. That was so nice… I asked numerous questions before supplying our credit card details. I asked about meals and should our friends join us and stay in one of the other hotels on the resort, if they could come to Don Marco. Without hesitation, Brian said YES. Because we chose the half board option and were staying in the more expensive hotel, we could either eat at Don Marco or either of the other two hotels, per Brian. Check in was nice and smooth, though we had to wait 2 hours for our room to be cleaned. That was okay, as it gave us the opportunity to wander around the area. As we entered our room, there were 2 single beds and no kindness of a champagne bottle. I asked to see customer services, and was met by ANNIE. She was great and highly efficient. She was all smiles and offered her assistance. She organized for housekeeping to put something like an additional mattress on the bed, making it as if one bed and not two singles. Furthermore, she kindly organized for that bottle of champagne to be delivered. Kudos to Annie. Our room was basic, though modern. There was a fridge, no microwave, but a kettle to make your teas and coffee that were supplied. The house cleaner kept the washroom nice and clean. As mentioned, we opted for the adult only hotel, the more expensive option. When we asked where exactly the dining room was, the receptionist promptly said we had to go to the Don Pablo or Don Pedro. That was bizarre as Brian told us we would have a dining room there. This was so NOT the case. We landed up eating our meals at Don Pablo. The swimming pool was lovely, except when they say ADULTS ONLY, it should be just that. A few of us complained to reception as there were children, boys who were jumping in, and various other young kids splashing around. We paid for this expensive adult only option adult to have quiet time, sun bathe in peace. This was NOT as expected for a few days. Furthermore, it was stifling hot and NO water machines to have a drink of water. The Don Pedro had a bar with a water machine, yet, the expensive Don Marco had none. The Don Pedro and Don Pablo had bars to order a drink from, the expensive Don Marco does NOT. The owners or management should consider putting a cold water dispense

We have stayed at all of the Sol hotels in Malaga and this is the best. It’s just reopened after an extensive refurbishment and is stunning. Check in was great unlike the don pedro where there is always a wait. New rooms are better than the Melia, especially the top floor seats facing with large private balconies.

I would normally rate our visits 5 but unfortunately this visit I felt like standards were dropping a bit. We have stayed at all 3 hotels in the complex many times over the past few years and always found the hotel brilliant. This time we decided to stay in Don Marco for the first time and, due to it being my 60th birthday we decided to upgrade to an Xtra Room with a poolside view. First impressions of the room was positive. A couple of suggestions I would make would be a towel hanger on the balcony, and that the light in the corridor went off on a night as this did illuminate our room. My criticism is that in our 7 night stay the room was only cleaned 3 times and therefore the towels only changed 3 times. We seemed to be forgotten as we were the only room occupied on this floor. I also expected a bottle of bubbly on my birthday which I have had for the last 3 years. I felt we paid more for the room but got less. The food in the restaurant as always was very good, but again an example of standards slipping was 2 nights we had to find our own table and wait for it to be set, 2 nights we were not approached at all to order drinks, and one night somebody accidentally dropped and broke a plate. Even though this was pointed out to at least 5 members of staff it was not cleared up and left, causing a hazard near the food counter. I know these may only seems like very minor issues and we did really enjoy our stay again , but I feel I need to pint them out as I would hate standards to slip at the Sol Complex as it is somewhere we love to come to and think of it as our happy place.

Generally a very good hotel. We had an issue with the room on arrival. The room was an extra with sea view. It had side windows that had pull down blinds that were broke. A maintenance man told us that it was a manufacturers issue and couldn't be fixed. We were moved the following day to another extra sea view room. Thanks to Debora on reception who sorted it. The major problem with the sea view rooms despite the extra cost is the excess noise from the Irish bar just below on the street. It is horrendous and goes on all day and most of the night. It only subsided briefly during our stay when a fight broke out and on of the protagonists nearly went under the wheels of a car. It has to be said that this bar is not part of the hotel and outside their control but if they are charging extra for these rooms perhaps they should warn guests. Enough moaning this a good hotel and part of a good complex. We shall certainly check out the Don Pedro part once this has been upgraded.

Excellent hotel food is average but as most hotels they offer same types of menu. Central for all bars restaurants and lovely beaches. Staff was friendly. Room was very comfortable. Nice pools to choose from. Entertainment nightly if that is what you like. If you dont return to your sunbeds within 2hrs 15 mins then your belongings are taken and left at reception which is good. This is our 2nd stay here.

I normally stay next door. This time decided to change. Rooms are really really nice. However there was no parking available on arrival so had to leave car quite a distance. I asked if I could check out at 1 pm instead of midday and charged me 30 euro. For a regular guest I think this was ridiculous and unnecessary. You have to go to other hotels for breakfast which is a pain. You pay more for this hotel but facilities are at level of the other hotels.