Have just returned from this hotel,just a few words of warning. We booked this hotel via our local Thomson travel agents . We were reassured that the two rooms we booked slept 2 - 3 people , NOT SO. Rooms small with only two beds, not really large enough for a third. Hotel staff not interested in helping to solve problem - blamed Thomson. We had to move a bed from o
ne room to another ourselves.
Another problem was the indoor pool. At no stage of booking were we informed that this was an 'adult only' hotel. IN fact on arrival we noticed a number of English children staying. We went to the indoor pool only to be informed 'no children under 16yrs allowed. Unfortunately the whole purpose of this holiday was a 15th birthday present for our grandson. We were very disappointed. We were informed also that all usersare only allowed 30 minutes in pool.Be Warned.

Just came home from a great stay at the Florida Spa Hotel It was amazing the whole hotel was out of this world. My husband and I have about 10-12 short breaks a year so have stayed in many hotels. The Florida is rated 4 star I would certainly say that it should be 5 stars. The rooms were very comfy with a wonderful sea view there was a safe and mini fridge free of charge also a lcd tv mounted on wall with a good selection of English channels. Pool towels and robes were supplied. There was a really comfy lounge next to the restaurant were smoking is allowed, which is great for us smokers. The only grumble I have is there wasn't much variety of food to choose from but I think it was because the Hotel wasn't that busy. I am just booking up again for March prices are very reasonable I can highly reccommend this hotel for all age groups.

Hi, we have just return from the Hotel Florida yesterday 13th January 2008, and reading the previous comments, we must have been at different hotel, being that I am very fussy, we paid for an upgrade and I would say this was totally unnecessary, from you enter the hotel it is very modern, bright, and loads of seating, sofa's chairs etc, very inviting, we were allocated a room on the 10th floor with views out over the sea.Th e room was spotless, green glass modern sinks (inbathroom) not very deep, so filled accordingly. the carpeted bright corridors with piped music spotless.three lifts so no problem. The outdoor pool was heated and we went in most days, only slight disadvantage a little shallow, but spotless, loungers alround on concrete as on 1st floor, the indoor pool and spa excellent. The food was varied, nothing special, but definately edible. The wine list sufficient to accompany meal, and bars had extensive range of spirits,served by the most dedicated and pleasant staff, I have ever met on a package holiday(including 5 star hotels), as some-one stated Maria and the dining room staff are a delight, working long works and always with a smile. Every room has robes and slippers and I think they only small advantage of upgrade was slightly larger room with better balcony, we never got flowers, but did get bed turned back, something I am capable of myself. Yes its in a concrete jungle, every-one knows that, but once in the hotel, it was a totally different enviroment. We toured around and saw some lovely places, and totally believe a holiday is what you make of it, if you go looking for negative things you get them, but as I said we stayed from 30th till l3th, we had terrible rain and wind, and although on 10th floor never heard a sound, and water never went off, although they did have leak from ornate cieling dome on to dance floor, it was very quickly fixed without any inconvenience to guests. If you like Fuengerola then this is the place to stay, by the way Thomsons run a no children policy, not that I would ever book with them. Hotel Florida gets my vote.Fussy Scot.

This was our first time in the Costa del Sol and I suppose people will have different ideas as to what they want from a resort and hotel, but after being used for many years to the smaller resorts of Mallorca and Menorca, from which it is possible to emerge into countryside, and suddenly being faced with mile after mile of nothing but concrete was an appalling sight, and despite the vast number of empty properties for sale or rent, building is still going on, on a huge scale. We travelled between Malaga and Marbella, and there was no respite from the terrible ugliness, as we saw it.

The area around the hotel Florida is mainly narrow, run down side streets containing aging apartments and shops all in dire need of repair and a coat of paint. All are covered with graffiti. The state of the roads and pavements is awful, loose flags and holes are everywhere, and directly opposite the hotel advertising itself in large letters is a sex shop, and this was not the only one in a supposed family resort.

There are some better parts of Fuengirola, pleasant cafes and bars, and a quiet square, but they are very well hidden, and it is a big place. The promenade is ok, but is not traffic free like the one in Benalmadina further along the coast, but it is open and airy, and quite a change from the bustling, stifling town. There is a bus station if you want to get about, but it is crowded, confusing and with buses that run to a fictional timetable. By the way, they never seem to turn off their engines, so it can get very smelly and unpleasant.

Moving on from the resort to the hotel, which is described by Thomson as a Resort Service hotel, which means that you do not get a rep., probably no bad thing until you discover that the telephone number you are given should assistance be required, or to book excursions etc. is in the UK and is chargeable at normal rates. Just another example of the downward spiral Thomson seems to be on. After this holiday and the way we were mucked about last year, with a great deal of latitude with the true reasons for the changes they made, (don’t they know that folk may well follow up given reasons by checking with the hotel direct), we have had enough of them, and are going to cancel the two A la Carte holidays booked for later this year. It will mean lost deposits, but I don’t care. After many years, and a host of holidays we no longer have any faith in them. They quite simply do not seem to care about the more discerning holiday maker.

This hotel, which from what we overheard others mention was being used primarily as an overflow from the other two hotels in the same area and the same chain, is definitely not a four star establishment. It may look so in every way, but most is cosmetic. Whenever there was a wind, which at this time of year is often, our bathroom ceiling (made of plastic slats) blew up into the void above it. Ok someone came to fix it quite quickly, but it should not happen. I would hazard a guess that every water pipe in the building flowed through the void above our bathroom ceiling, because every time someone turned on a tap, or flushed a toilet, we heard it – 24/7. The sink unit, at first glance, looked very attractive, being mad of a green glass, but soon turned out to be far too small, especially when the overflow was only half way up the side. The bath though was of a good size with a very good powerful shower. The problem was with the tap. If it was turned on much above a trickle the water was directed to the side edge of the bath, and not into it, eventually spilling over onto the floor. There were three electric sockets in our room, two of which just fell off into your hand (with the cables attached behind) whenever they were used. This also happened with certain light switches in the public areas. The main bar area, including the dance floor has a large glass dome as part of the roof which was leaking like a sieve. Are these teething troubles or just plain lousy workmanship?

But the real low point was the food, it was terrible. Everything was swimming in oil or grease, and tasted accordingly. I am not going to elaborate further as I could go on for ever, except to say that for the most part it was barely edible. The problems with the food quality were somewhat abated by the efficiency and great attitude of the restaurant staff, and the very reasonable (if short) wine list.

The main bar on the ground floor was bright and comfortable and the staff were also very friendly, but if you wanted a drink before 7.00pm it was often very difficult to find one of them. Usually they were behind a screen in the main bar nattering. Some loud tapping on the bar was always necessary, followed by an apology on their part. Attention to duty was somewhat lacking. The price of drinks was quite reasonable, both in the bar and in the restaurant.
There is a second bar on the ground floor close to the exit, which was hardly ever used. There are two further bars on the first floor, one serving lunches and snacks. The other is referred to as being decorated in the “English” style, and would have been very comfortable except that it is the only place in the hotel that permits smoking. As a smoker of more than 40 years who stopped two years ago, I now find it absolutely horrible.

The room was kept tolerably clean, but was serviced at any time between 10.00am and 3.00pm. There was no consistency, so knowing whether or not it was “safe” to return to your room was always guesswork. What we could not understand was the mirror on the wall. When sat at it was about two feet above the head. To use it, it was necessary to stand - not very practical. There was however ample wardrobe and drawer space, and a free code operated safety deposit box.

Obviously, due to the time of year we did not sample the pool area, but some did, (the temperature hit twenty three degrees on Christmas day). But we would not have been too enamoured with it anyway. It is completely overlooked on three sides by apartment buildings and this would be enough to make us avoid the place. When we think of the comfortable, grassed and private pool areas in some hotels we have recently visited, this one is shameful for a so-called quality hotel.
There is also a spa and indoor pool in the basement which we did not visit, so cannot comment on this facility.

All in all not a very good experience, although we made the best of it, and met some very nice people. But we will never return to the Costa del Sol, and in future will make all hotel and flight bookings direct, and do without the uncaring, inefficient tour operator. Very likely, with the ease of using the Internet, their time is coming to an end.