went here with my family 4 teenagers 1 child, quiet, not much entertainment, everything else was 1st class , beach across road, shops ,bars all easy distance to walk, resturaunt was good , freindly , staff all helpful, rooms and beds spotless, cleaners always around, would recommend this to family looking for quietish holiday. down town busy at night, i would go back here in a minute,

As I was going into hospital on my return home, I went on holiday for pre-surgery rest and relaxation during my short vacation at the Vista Mar. Subsequently, I had requested a quiet studio overlooking the pool but was given an apartment directly over the busy entrance, overlooking the very busy side road (and a building site) where taxis stopped to drop and pick up guests all with the engines running. The area outside my room was where the garbage and delivery trucks servicing this and anothet hotel turned round and parked again with the engines running both day and night.

I asked at reception for the accommodation I had origionally requested and was told "unavailable". A member of staff confirmed to me off the record that it way a lie and that there were many quiet rooms overlooking the pool empty and available (as was obvious by the shutters which were permenantly shut). I was told however, that if I gave the reception staff some money I could have one of the "unavailable" rooms. These "unavailable" rooms were, however, immediately available a few days later when a large conference crowd arrived. I wonder what would have happened to the extra money I was asked for!!

The buffet food was generally cold and totally uninteresting, however both the choices and quality immediately improved when the conference crowd arrived. The day they left it was back to the previous dismal state.

The atmosphere in the hotel was that of a business/conference hotel and not a holiday hotel. It was very severe and uninviting.
The attitude of the staff was extremely severe, very professional and totally detached. Not what a holiday maker expects or wants in a four star holiday hotel.

My room, all be it extremely noisy due to it's location, was immaculate and well cleaned daily. The many problems with fixtures, fittings and equipment were attended to quickly by maintenance staff.

The bar at it's busiest had six or seven people sitting around looking bored. Eveyone with whom I spoke complained about the high prices and lack of atmosphere, refusing to drink there. Fortunately, it was only a short walk to the nearby bars where they could actually enjoy themselves. The sporadic entertainment in the hotel was pathetic.

My recommendation? Don't accept a room overlooking the road.
Don't book any meals. Hire a car so that you don't need to climb "Cardiac Hill" each time you approach the hotel. Don't expect to be given any parking space in the hotel garage. (They prefer to keep it empty unless you give the reception staff extra money). While I was there the large underground garage was deserted except for a couple of cars. The result was the road outside was congested with parked cars. I watched the garbage collection workers physically lift a car off the road so that they could get the garbage truck through. Understandably this was acompanied by much shouting and excitement directly under my window during the night, a time when anyone on holiday would normally be fast asleep.

Still, the reception staff refused to move me, but all the time smiling and being very civil.

Despite my request to speak with the manager during and after the vacation, I have been totally ignored. My email has been ignored and the inference - so what? He's paid and gone away so why bother?

We stayed at this property for a week. Every member of staff greeted you with a hello and a smile. The food was very well prepared and presented with a wide selection to suit everyone.
Safes are available at a cost of 3euro per day+ 10euro refundable deposit for the small key that allows the safe to operate. It's one of those chose your own number ones so no key to loose. Reception is on the fourth floor, during the day you will be able to gain access through the basement garage. The walk up the path to reception is very steep so may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties. I'm sure an arrangement could be made with reception for those less able to get in through the garage after nine pm.
Apart from the usual restuarant and bar there is a self-service laundry, games room and a hairdressing salon. The only concern I had during my stay was that the balcony doors close from the outside. This wasn't a problem for us as my husband climbed over the balcony on to the reception terrace. Our solution to the problem was to put something over the door track when we were out there.
There is a large Maxi supermarket a five minute walk away, walk down to the main road and turn right just after Burger King. It's similar to Lidl or Aldi. If you walk another five minutes up the hill you will get a SuperCor, like Waitrose, this store has some fantastic stuff but the layout is weird, no rhyme or reason. If you walk down the main road to the left you will get a SuperSol, like Asda, its in the basement of one of the Maite (3?) buildings. If you are caught short of anything there is an OpenCor near the entrance to the Marina about a 20 minute walk away (main road turn left). This is open 365 days a year from 8 am to 2am the following morning.
There is an excellent costal bus service to places like Torremolinos & Fuengirolla (main road and turn left) the fare is 1.10euro. If you are in a town with a terminus you are expected to buy your ticket at the booth and present it to the driver. If there is no booth you pay on the bus, always better to have the correct change.
No hesitation in recommending this hotel and will use it on my return to Benelmadena.

6 of us booked a 4 day break at these appts, and for what we paid, 143 pounds including flights, the value was tremendous. the 2 rooms we had were 1st class,the staff were very friendly and i would definitely go back. the hill up to the hotel is steep but not as steep as i was expecting. dont let the hill put you off. 4 star easily.