Residencia Universitaria Resa Campus Málaga

The room door let in every sound from the hallway, and I had the worst hotel sleep I can remember in decades of travel. Kids ran through the hall at 2am, people played tennis outside my window at 3am, and housekeeping carts rolled by at 7am. There was only one pillow and one sheet, the towels smelled moldy after one use, and the AC only worked while I was in the room. At arrival I was also told to pay again because the charge for the full stay was still pending. It took 48 hours for all the charges to clear, and another 48 for my bank to show the refund. The desk staff were nice and seemed organized, but the systems and their bosses seem set up to make quick money from big groups of teens and the older men watching them play at the pool. Breakfast had the smallest, worst selection I’ve seen at any hotel. Their response said someone wanted to address my complaints, but the local staff made it clear they had no authority to deal with my concerns. An after-the-fact offer is too late and feels like an attempt to buy a better rating. There’s nothing I value enough here to change my review.

The staff were all really friendly and helpful. Rooms are clean and comfortable, with good A/C, a fridge and an oven/microwave. There’s a nice pool, a small gym and common areas with pool tables and other things to do. A good spot for a short family trip or a holiday with friends.

The location worked well for us, about a 10-minute walk from the metro, and the room was clean with everything they’d promised. It’s affordable and includes breakfast, but I don’t think it’s worth the price. We went to breakfast twice and had stomach aches both times. They called it a buffet, though they served you bacon and eggs, with one kind each of ham and salami and a few pastries. That’s a very poor “selection.” I skipped breakfast for the rest of the stay and think the same money would be better spent on a hotel without it. The fridge in the room was what saved us, since we could keep our own breakfast food there. The air conditioner also felt inadequate to me. My impression of the stay is average, and the breakfast was a real disappointment.

The pool is tiny and only open for a few hours a day in a very short season. As student accommodation, the place is restrictive too: socializing is discouraged, noise is banned after 11 p.m., and guests cost €18 a night to stay in your own room, even though you’re paying nearly €1000 a month. Rules and contracts are enforced inconsistently and arbitrarily, and it feels like residents are treated as revenue rather than people who deserve respect and decent conditions. I found this residence deeply disappointing and overpriced for what it offers. The food is poor, and the staff conduct can be unprofessional. The so-called continental breakfast is greasy overcooked bacon, scrambled eggs, often spoiled fruit, and the occasional packaged croissant. Lunch and dinner weren’t better. Several times I was served grilled chicken that looked undercooked, still fridge-cold inside when cut. Much of the food is barely edible and has given me and others upset stomachs, far from what’s advertised. Cleaning was another problem. My room often had more hair and dust after the promised regular cleaning than before. The building also seems to have silverfish living in the headboard right by the bed. The residence looks much less impressive than its promotional photos suggest. Management has been a major concern as well. Residents’ wellbeing seems to come last. Communication is poor and unprofessional, and complaints often get hostility or are ignored. The director, Ana Muñoz, is dismissive and hard to approach. Her messages are often abrupt and accusatory without a clear reason. Non-Spanish speakers should know her English is poor, which makes resolving issues difficult. I’ve stayed in or visited nearby places like Xior and Livensa, where the facilities, food and service were much better for significantly less money. I’d strongly advise looking elsewhere. Xior, just down the road, is one example of an option that treats residents with the respect and professionalism they deserve.