Globales Gardenia Park

We have just returned from a week long stay at the hotel. We booked this the week before we travelled and after reading some of the reviews we were a bit concerned but took a chance. We are so glad we took that chance!
Having stayed in the Fuengirola area before we knew this was not in the heart of Fuengirola/Los Boliches but in Torrablanca. However, the hotel is well situated for the shingle beach about 5 mins walk, the bus stop is right outside the hotel and train station an uphill 10 minute walk. There are shops, bars and restaurants on the hotel doorstep and if you wish to venture on foot Fuengirola/Los Boliches areas are a pleasant 30 minute walk along the beach front where you will find amazing beaches and an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. We had a double room on the 3rd floor with an amazing seaview over into Fuengirola harbour. The rooms are a bit dated, however, they are very spacious and have a full width balcony with a table and chairs. The balcony overlooked the pleasant garden which has plenty of sun loungers. The rooms are spotless and if needed can be cleaned and towels replenished each day. The pools, one large and a baby pool, are also spotless. Sun loungers are stacked each night and the area cleaned every morning before repositioning the loungers and opening. As this was a relaxing holiday we spent every day at the pool and never had an issue getting a lounger, there are lots. Yes, you will always get the 6am regulars claiming a loungers 😆, but was not an issue. There is a pool bar with a small inside seating area overlooking the pool. This bar serves drinks (some free on All Inclusive) and snacks (payable). There is also a snack bar serving fresh made chips, pizza, hotdogs, burgers, fruit and cakes which is open when the main buffet restaurant is closed. People have been critical of the main buffet restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We cannot understand what people expect! The choices on offer were amazing. The restaurant manager and his team are so professional, pleasant and hard working. The salad bar, selection of fresh fruits, cereals, yoghurt, cheese, ham, bread and desserts was exceptional and available at all sittings. During our stay some of the food we had included Drinks including - teas, coffees, soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits Breakfast including - eggs, scrambled/boiled/fried/omelette cooked to order, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, pastries Chicken including - curry, tikka, roast, fajitas, chicken nuggets. Lamb, pork, veal, duck including - fillet, kebabs, casserole, chinese style Fish including - cod, seabass, salmon, pollock, red fish - casserole, portioned in various sauces, cod bites Vegetables including - chips, potatoes, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, aubergine, onions all done numerous ways. Pizza, pasta, paella and soup. At all sittings there was approx 4 choices of cook to order food, which you wached getting cooked. There is so much choice!! The hotels animation team deserves a special mention Lola, George, Herman Dani etc are terrific, from pool side outdoor activities including water polo, darts, archery and the daily aqua gym, which even the lifeguard gets involved with, are fantastic to watch or get involved with. Following a day at the pool they then turn their attention to mini disco, bingo and not to mention the Friday night Cabaret, not to be missed! During our stay all the other acts were also good, singers, duets and even a magician who was fab. The bar team also help get the party going. Overall the management and staff go out of their way to help and made this an amazing week and we will definitely return!! The one thing as most have commented there is only one plug point which is in the bathroom so do take an extension cable and hairdryer.

Just returned from an 8 night stay at this hotel and honestly did not want to leave! We joined family members who had been the previous year and it lived up to everything they'd told us. Location is great, seconds from the beach, bus stops right outside should you wish to venture out and plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants nearby should you need them. The rooms are spacious and exceptionally clean - maid service came in daily to make beds and change towels - good size balcony with an amazing unobstructed sea view. As a group of 8 we were worried about finding sunbeds and seats in the dining room to accommodate us but never had a problem. The food leaves a little to be desired. Lack of variety and there are some issues with the food being cold at times but overall I would say it's ok. Now for the biggest positive of this hotel, the animation team! Lola, George & Dani are amazing, my nephews (aged 6 & 10) had raved about them from the previous year and they definitely lived up to the hype and then some. My daily Aqua Gym activity was so much fun and the amount of activities on offer for all ages is rare for a hotel of this size, I'm not quite sure how they do it! And I must say, the Cabaret nights they put on are the highlight of the evening entertainment. Having the read the previous reviews I can understand why this place wouldn't be for everyone but for me and our party it was a perfect summer holiday!

Positives- across from beach, hotel and grounds kept very clean, typical all inclusive menus but do have area where can cook omelettes, pancakes fresh for breakfast, then lunch and dinner cook fresh fish etc options. Snack bars also cook fresh burgers and hot dogs. We can be a wee bit fussy with food but we were kept fed. Drinks options great. Cold and hot drinks available. All inclusive drinks good range, range of desserts

Entertainment team certainly make this hotel !!! One of the best teams we’ve had. Even if you don’t want to get involved in the many choices you can’t help but get caught up in the enthusiasm.
Also bar staff very good. Restaurant staff very good at clearing tables without being pushy which we’ve had elsewhere.

Negatives paying on arrival for a safe and fridge in your rooms seems unnecessary. These days most hotels include them as standard. Also no kettle/hairdryer Yes can’t be helped with the amount of food available as isn’t the hottest but the staff do try and typical of all inclusive

Overall it’s a high 3 star. With a few tweaks could be higher. Staff do their utmost to make it an enjoyable holiday and it shows. Really had no bad things to say about our time here. Would we come again. Certainly!!