Playadulce Hotel

The animation crew kept things lively and professional, and housekeeping did a good job with the room. We were there at Playadulce Hotel over Christmas 2025 for a birthday, though the stay got off to a rough start: check-in took about two hours, apparently because Love Holidays and the hotel's reservations system weren't communicating properly. The receptionist on duty wasn't helpful and came across as unprofessional. Bar service fell short, and while the food itself was satisfactory, service in the restaurant was uneven and badly managed. There isn't much to do at the hotel in winter. After that experience, I'd keep the stay short, at most two nights, and avoid unnecessary dealings with reception.

We had a lovely time enjoying the Spanish culture, sightseeing and shopping, and the food was delicious. Breakfast and dinner were included, with plenty of choices, especially good Spanish dishes alongside other tasty options. The food and beverage team worked hard, tables were kept clean, and the supervisors and chefs seemed to have things well organized. The pools were a highlight, especially the warm indoor pool with water massage and the outdoor pools with a warm jacuzzi. There were lots of sunbeds to choose from, and the back gate led straight to the beach and waterfront with shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife. The hotel also has a great location, views, amenities and excursion options. Our last minute family trip was in room 822 from 28.09.25 to 05.10.25. Room 822 was cleaned daily and the towels were changed each day. The hotel also provides beach towels and water, though nobody told us at check-in. Marc said he'd explain the towel arrangements later but forgot, so we asked another receptionist. Oscar was welcoming, smiled, explained everything and gave us great service. He even offered us water on our last day before heading home. We also had a transfer problem caused by the company we booked through, not the hotel. Daniel and Lidia helped sort it out with calls and communication, and were very helpful and caring. We wished there had been an information pack in the room with details about facilities, restaurant times and beach towels. We had to ask around to find things out, and sometimes felt as if we were asking too many questions. There was no tea or coffee set in the room either. The water sports season had ended, even though it was 27 degrees, so we couldn't find activities. Still, we had a great visit to MiniHollywood Oasys, which we booked ourselves and reached by bus, as well as trips by bus to City Almeria and Roquetas.

The staff were amazing, especially Vicente, Laura, Alejandro, Nico, Denise, Luis, Juan, Patrick and the rest of the team. The receptionists made us feel welcome when we arrived, and Luis helped us with money. Lifeguards were friendly despite the heat and did a great job keeping the pool safe. There's a mini fridge, air conditioning, a fan and a TV in the room, and the beds are comfy. You only get one pillow, which wasn't ideal for me, though that's personal preference and can be fixed. The bathroom can get a bit hot, but it wasn't a big problem. The pool area has a jacuzzi and slides that kids and adults can enjoy. Inflatables and balls aren't allowed, which I liked because there was more room to swim. It opens at 10am, so there's a queue in the morning. Get there around opening if you want a sunbed. Some pool beds are shaded. Watch your feet, though, as the bottom has rocks and gritty bits that can cut them. The pool bar staff were always friendly. All inclusive guests get a good selection of branded alcohol, crisps like Lays and Cheetos, ice cream and ice pops. Drinks include branded alcohol, fizzy drinks such as Pepsi, slushes, milkshakes and bottled water. Food was a letdown for me because it got repetitive, as other reviews have said. I'm a picky eater, but managed with the other options. If you are too, you may end up eating mostly pizza, chips, fruit, nuggets and crepes. The fruit was always fresh. The hotel is right by the beach, and there isn't much else immediately around, which makes sense for the location. There's a bus stop up the road, with buses to malls, markets, restaurants and other places. Zone F goes to malls and markets, and a ticket costs 1.50 euro. The harbor is about 20 minutes away and is worth a look. There is a back gate to the beach that requires your keycard. No Ubers, only taxis. Entertainment is mostly in Spanish and seems aimed more at Spanish guests than English speakers. Still, children who didn't speak Spanish joined in, especially at kids club. English speakers weren't really included in the pool activities. The lifts are average and can be frustrating if you're in a hurry. For example, if someone in the lift is going to the 10th floor, you may end up going up, down and back up. They can also feel shaky. This may matter more if you need them for accessibility. Bring your own hair dryer, and a diffuser if you have curly hair.

I went with my son last week and was glad I booked despite the negative reviews. The indoor pool was my favorite, we went every day and it was never busy. The water temperature was just right. Outside, there's a big pool at the front and a jacuzzi and slides round the back. The water was chilly, but welcome in the heat. We made good use of the small play area, ping pong table and mini golf. The rooms and hotel were consistently clean, thanks to the cleaning staff. Food had a decent range for each meal, from local dishes to basic chips. We liked breakfast best. Very fussy eaters might struggle, though there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. The location is great, right by the beach and not too far from Alicante airport. You can get to the beach with your key card. Two sunbeds and a shade cover cost €10 for the day, which is a good deal. The beach was clean and lovely, and never absurdly crowded. It's not perfect, and I'd call it a 3 star hotel, but I'd definitely come back.