MarSenses Ferrera Blanca Hotel Family

The staff really made the atmosphere, from the entertainers and bar staff to the waiters and waitresses. They were hardworking, cheerful, and brilliant. The entertainment ran from little poolside activities to big evening shows, so both children and adults had plenty to enjoy. There are four pools, including a splash pool, and the canteen was clean with attentive staff. Meals offered a good range, were nicely presented and mostly tasty, and the serving times suited us well. Our ground-floor room was adequate, though it could have been cleaner, the mattresses were sunken, and it was cleaned only once in our seven-day stay. Other rooms may involve climbing three or four flights of stairs. We were fortunate with our room location. Probably the best hotel we've stayed at with the children. 4.5/5, would recommend.

The food was the biggest letdown. Meals were bland, poor in quality, and hardly varied from day to day. Labels didn't make clear what dishes such as “chicken curry” contained, which could be a problem for people with allergies or dietary needs. All-inclusive made sense for the drinks, but the food dragged it down. At dinner, staff weren't especially attentive and tables took a while to be cleared. On our last day, we saw a tray of ham left uncovered outside in the heat, apparently for some time, which raised concerns about freshness and food safety. The hotel's location is fantastic, and staff made it easy to get around by giving directions and arranging taxis. Our spacious, comfortable room was lovely, though a walk from the main pools. Anna was a real bright spot: approachable and proactive, she tried to help when we arrived at 9am and couldn't get into the room until around 4pm, which was difficult with a young baby. When ants appeared in the room, she quickly arranged for someone to take care of them. At another point the room had no running water, and we had to call reception to get that fixed. Housekeeping was generally okay, but on a few occasions the bedding felt a little damp, and the smell of bleach after cleaning was overpowering. The hotel also surprised me with a thoughtful birthday gesture, which I appreciated. We had an enjoyable stay in some ways, especially thanks to Anna and the location, but wouldn't hurry back for all-inclusive. We might return on a different basis because of where it is.

The pools are nice, but absolutely freezing, so this won't suit a child like mine who doesn't like cold water. Maybe it depends on the time of year. Rooms are decent, with smart TVs, but there's no air conditioning until summer, which makes sleeping tough. After reading the reviews we were all excited, but it turned out to be another budget three-star hotel. The rooms are fine and the staff are class, especially the activity team. Food, though, is terrible. I'm happy to eat anything and my wife is vegetarian, and neither of us found good options. Breakfast isn't too bad; lunch and dinner are terrible. The food at the splash-pool snack bar is a mess too. We complained that the labels didn't tell you what was what, and my wife ended up eating fish. They've changed the labeling since, but the food selection is still terrible. Drinks are decent. I drink Grey Goose, so that was an option for $7, and Smirnoff and Bacardi were included all-inclusive.

The hotel is relaxed and lovely, tucked away from the centre but still within walking distance, with friendly guests and staff. It may be four-star, but the service felt five-star. We're vegan, and food was difficult on the first day. The chefs' English wasn't great, and my Spanish was no better, so we spoke to reception. Aline, the assistant manager, took charge, arranged meals and desserts for us, and checked in every day for feedback and to plan the next day's food. She even made sure things went smoothly on her day off. I've worked in customer-facing and hospitality management at different levels, and I've never met anyone as professional, prepared, and focused on customers as Aline. She's a huge asset to the Marsenses Brand and deserves the chance to manage her own resort one day. Without her, I doubt we'd have rated the stay as highly. Best service we've had in more than 15 years of holidays. Outstanding.