Dormio Resort Costa Blanca Beach & Spa

Our penthouse was spacious, clean, comfortable and well equipped, with a sea view. The resort itself is beautiful, with clean, roomy apartments. We also had some great food and service at the restaurant. Loved the place and would definitely visit again in summer. Highly recommended!

The resort buildings, outdoor areas and pools were fine, but the stay felt pretty average overall. We were given a bigger apartment as an upgrade at check-in, but that meant losing the sea view. Luckily, there was an open terrace where we could see the water. Without it, we might barely have seen the sea, if at all. The kitchen and living room smelled unpleasant when we opened the door, like cigarettes. The apartment itself was okay, though it didn't look like the pictures. The sheets and towels were great. The beach by the resort was in poor shape, with lots of rocks and not much cleanliness. It didn't seem very child-friendly. I think moving the rocks away from the area where people lie down and adding some fresh sand could make it look much better. The day before checkout, we got a message telling us to take out the rubbish and wash the dishes, basically unload the dishwasher. I don't mind putting the dishes in and turning it on, but emptying it and putting everything away felt like too much. If that matters so much, add a euro to the rent and pay the cleaner. Still, it was an okay stay. Thanks.

We had a great experience and hope to return. Since I'd read quite a few negative reviews beforehand, here's how things went for us. We were there outside peak season, so parking spaces around the hotel were plentiful and we didn't need to pay for parking. The beach is small, but it wasn't crowded then, and it's only a minute away. Our apartment had a direct sea view. I considered booking the priciest option, but the website clearly says, and some photos show, that it may have a side sea view. Ours was a spacious two-bedroom apartment with a big kitchen, though it showed some wear from use. It wasn't the cheapest choice, but we could have fit in the smallest apartment, and we didn't choose the most expensive maisonette either. The large terraces mean you can hear some noise from the neighbors. We didn't use the breakfast, spa, pool or restaurants, so I can't comment on those. I imagine they may get busy in high season, with not enough room for everyone.

The towels were another issue: beach towels cost extra, but the receptionist told me I couldn't take them to the beach because they weren't for the beach. Then, around 10 p.m. the night before checkout, we got an email saying we had to start and unload the dishwasher before leaving at 10 a.m. Should I have vacuumed too? The attitude toward guests was terrible. We booked a penthouse with a “sea view” because the photos and description promised an amazing view from the terrace. To me, booking the best room type listed as sea view means the sea should be right in front of you from the penthouse terrace. Instead, I could only see it by turning my head about 160 degrees to the right. I argued with reception, but they wouldn't change rooms or apologise. They argued back and pointed to the website wording, “sea view OR OTHERS.” I couldn't believe it. It felt like a real fraud. Don't trust the photos or description without checking exactly what you're booking, though apparently you could end up in any room anyway, from a penthouse with a sea view to one in the basement. Never again!