Hotel Aguamarina Golf

Please take note of this before you unpack. We travelled with 4 children, including a 2 year old and a 3 month old, hence we used a double buggy to go everywhere. We were put on the 5th floor, the lifts were unreliable at best, most of them broke down at some point.

The only lift we could use to go all the way to the pool, without having any fights of stairs to negotiate, was on the other side of the building. As this was not working on a number of days, we used another lift to go part way, then walked the length of the building and took a second lift.

The food is a serious concern, many people had stomach problems, we all had an issue at some point or another. One of us was bound to the room for 3 days ill and now is being treated for a kidney infection, most likely caused by e-coli from food poisoning. Most of the families we befriended encountered similar issues.

Eating out options are good around the hotel, we had a good Chinese meal just outside the hotel and would thoroughly recommend the Queen Mary situated on the seafront below the lower pool. The Wild Geese Irish bar also does reasonable food and is a good place for sport and entertainment. Bistro 27 also did us a good breakfast.

Entertainment at the hotel, is nothing to write home about, there were games at the upper pool, which I can’t comment on as we didn’t take part in. The evening entertainment didn’t seem all that either and the location was far too hot to be comfortable in.

Big tip here go straight out to the supermarket and buy a big bottle of water, the hotel provide next to nothing in terms of water. It’s not a problem as it’s very inexpensive, but don’t wait until it’s too late to make sure you have enough water.

No inflatables or balls in the pool, so don’t buy any, including from the shop in the hotel. It’s a little bizarre to sell them in an all inclusive resort but not let you use them at the hotel.

The hotel could use a porter, something you’d expect in a hotel claiming 4 stars.

The main bar in the evening could use a few more staff.

I genuinely think that this hotel has the potential to be a lot better and with decent ownership and investment could actual be considered 4 star. At the moment though, a 4 star rating is as generous as my review score of average!

Day entertainment was fair, my six year old enjoyed a Few of the activities on offer - but they should be better split up age wise instead of a six year old playing ping pong competition against a 15 year old. Both would have enjoyed better if the age category was thought of. No exciting child appropriate entertainment in the evening, very lack lustre, no children reps that I could tell. Children couldn’t use soft balls or inflatables in the pool. Evening entertainment was awful and by no means entertainment of a 4star hotel. The majority of staff bar were absolutely miserable and unhelpful/rude. With the exception of a few - dark haIr day entertainer girl and a short blonder one who took water aerobics they were lovely as were their male colleague. Food was okay / fine Little shop in the hotel but it doesn’t sell bottles of water etc etc lol which would have been convenient- there is a shop nearby but some might not want to go looking. Bar queues were ridiculous not enough staff, and the drinks are all watery and served completely in plastic cups - even in the evening. No drinks menus to choose from / very no frills Hotel is in a convenient spot/ close to water park (go was fab) Knights evening (fab) Close to the airport Free shuttle bus to nearby beach was good. On our last evening we became aware of the volcano bar which is literally down the steps of the back of the hotel and turn left. They do live music between 5-7 - we went and was great! Made our last night. However meant we spent a lot of money for the evening where if the entertainment etc was there in the hotel we wouldn’t need to.

Like I said we had a lovely holiday with family and friends but I would not go back to This hotel.

Reserved area in restaurant had a few tables that were not cleared regularly and reserved pool area was non existent until we complained and then, as if by magic, a reserved area with 6 sun beds in the windiest spot materialised! Couldn’t have been further from the pool or bar if it tried! The rooms are nice with a huge bathroom ( no bath) but definitely not 4 star. This hotel needs to do much better. The food is mediocre and the “a la carte” is a joke. You are asked to order your food when you book and the “a la carte” restaurant is an annexe of the main canteen. No atmosphere whatsoever. Not even the offer or a coffee after the meal. Some staff are helpful, but some ( I won’t name names but you are a disgrace) should never be in customer service. Really rude and condescending. You need to up your game significantly if you want to sell this hotel as 4 star. In my opinion, way off the mark.