Globales Gardenia

The pool was clean, the weather lovely, and I liked the entertainment staff we met during our first three days. The cleaners were kind and helped me tidy the room when my daughter was sick, even though they didn’t speak much English. This was supposed to be my daughter’s first holiday, but on day 3 she became very ill with constant vomiting and diarrhoea. We later realised she wasn’t the only guest who was sick, and she spent four days stuck in the room. Her high temperature wasn’t improving, so we had to call a doctor. She was given injections of antibiotics and anti-sickness medicine, which cost a lot, but I needed her well before our flight home and the treatment did help. Now I’m ill too. The food was always cold, and it was an awful experience, with other guests also in bed sick. I don’t know what caused it, but it seemed clear something was going on there. I wouldn’t return, and the experience has put me off holidays for a long time.

We paid £700 for five nights with breakfast and dinner, including flights and transfers, so it was a cheap and cheerful package. The rooms were very clean and tidied every day. Food was repetitive and not great quality, though, so it wouldn’t suit anyone fussy about meals. A kettle in the room would’ve been handy for a morning cuppa. The entertainment team were brilliant and worked hard to keep guests happy. The evening shows kept us amused, sometimes for the wrong reasons, and the acrobatics from the outside performers were great. There’s building work next door, with banging Monday to Friday, but the weekend was quiet. For trips, the station is close by, and Málaga was €7 return. We also wandered around Toromolinos old town, which was nice and had plenty of shops. My daughter enjoyed shopping in Fuengirola too, including Zara and a beauty outlet type place. The L1 bus stop opposite the hotel was only €1.20 each way. One last thing, skip the Catamaran ‘Dolphin’ trip. We paid £24 to watch people be sick for two hours, and didn’t see a single Dolphin or anything else. It was very choppy!

We were four, two couples in our 60s, and spent a week all inclusive at Globales Gardenia. It’s in a lovely quiet spot, directly across from the beach, with a pleasant walk along the seafront to the main part of Fuengirola. Our room was a little dated but clean and comfortable. I believe the hotel is due to be refurbished this winter. People mention there’s no tea or coffee maker in the room, but machines are available from breakfast until midnight, so there’s plenty of time to get a cuppa. There was plenty of good food to choose from, snacks between meals, and drinks from 10am to midnight. The animation team were fab, with something for everyone in the evening. Even though there were only a few children staying, they encouraged everyone to join in the dances. We enjoyed the stay and would definitely come back.

The staff were fantastic, particularly in the Victoria Lounge, and the entertainment team were absolutely brilliant. Still, we’ve stayed before and aren’t sure we’d return, as this hotel falls behind Globales Cala'n Blanes. The rooms are comfortable and have excellent bathrooms, with a sea view from every balcony, but they’re too basic: no fridge, kettle or hair dryer. The food gets replenished quickly but lacks variety. There are packet soups and meatballs too often, and the roast turkey looks like gammon.