Playa Grande by Tropical

The room was spacious, clean, and nicely decorated, with a comfortable mattress. The gym is also very good for a hotel, and the beach and building are beautiful. There’s clearly potential for a lovely stay here. But the experience fell apart on hospitality, and the polished look felt empty without it. Before we arrived, we got a message at 5pm saying reception would close at 11pm and our keys would be left for us. I had given an arrival time of 4pm when booking, so I replied to confirm we’d get there at 6pm. They read it, but didn’t answer. When we arrived, the receptionist seemed irritated to be there. There wasn’t a smile, just a stone-faced handover of the keys, without an envelope. She did make sure to point out the SPA services, with the price list stapled on top of the hotel information sheet. That sheet also listed the reduced services for low season. The reduced kitchen service ended at 6pm, so we couldn’t eat there and later ordered a Glovo. The bar was due to close at 7:30pm, so we tried to have a drink while enjoying the beach view. The bartender was friendly and professional, but the rest of the staff made us feel like a nuisance. They took our order impatiently. At 7:14pm, someone shut one of the front blinds enclosing the restaurant, as if pushing us out. The blind right in front of us stayed open for a view, but its crank handle was conspicuously hung on a hook. At 23:20, when we went to bed, there was only a sheet on it, no duvet. It was late October, and there was no spare blanket in the room. We couldn’t find any staff anywhere in the hotel at that hour, so we slept in our clothes to stay warm. Breakfast was served at the table, with no buffet. That makes sense with few rooms and low occupancy, but service was very slow. We waited 10 minutes before anyone acknowledged us, while about three cleaning staff fluffed sofa cushions next to our table. The standard breakfast was missing items listed on the menu, including yogurt and juice. The fruit was fresh and pleasant. The French omelet with vegetables we ordered à la carte was very runny and heavily oversalted, with no vegetables in sight. At checkout, nobody asked how our stay had been. I booked one night before a flight as an alternative to the airport hotels, and the location worked well for that. Still, I can’t remember the last time I felt so unwelcome at a hotel. I hope the experience is better in high season.

The pool is lovely and deep, and at 40€ each on a Friday, the price was a bit high. Still, being able to spend the whole day there made it worth it. I liked the place overall, even though a few things weren’t perfect. Service was good in the restaurants, but the pool staff came across as a little unwelcoming. The beach club itself is nice. One thing, there was sand in the calamari.

Tea deserves a special thanks for making the whole visit unforgettable. I came with a couple of friends, and we had one of the best experiences we’ve had in a long time. The location is stunning, the food was amazing, and the staff were so friendly. Can’t wait to go back!

For someone like me who doesn’t really like the beach, the grassy pavement and soft music made this beach club feel cozy and modern while still keeping a beachy look. Our orders came quickly, and the service was extremely welcoming, so I don’t really understand the reviews complaining about it. The food is quite expensive, but I thought the quality was exceptional and worth the price. It’s fancy, informal, and fun. I’d recommend it for anyone wanting a quick getaway outside the city.