Ona Alanda Club Marbella

We were grateful that the staff were understanding and let us check out after just one night, shortening our stay without any hassle. Unfortunately, the place was hard to manage with a baby and stroller, especially in winter. The paths are narrow and uneven, and the elevator is too small for a regular stroller, so we kept having to fold it. Even on the ground floor, there were about eight stairs and a very narrow staircase to deal with. The walk to the sea is steep, and pushing the stroller back uphill was tough. Our room had freezing tile floors. The air conditioning could be set to heat, but it mostly made fan noise and didn’t warm the room properly. With small children, the layout and cold room made this a poor fit for us, even though the hotel says all ages are welcome. It may work better for couples or families with older kids.

The restaurant staff, especially the waitresses, were lovely, but the rest of our Christmas stay was disappointing. We came to visit family nearby and chose Alanda for the prepared breakfast, indoor pool, and inviting look from outside. Inside, it felt shabby and in need of serious refurbishment. The towels were paper thin, the kitchen appliances very old, and the fridge door was rusting. Our room smelled strongly of bleach when we checked in. I asked to move, but was told there were no other rooms. Breakfast was overcrowded, with too few tables for the number of rooms. Even with a direct booking made in November through a Black Friday offer, it was terrible value and far too expensive for what we got. The website pictures are misleading, and this didn’t feel like a four-star establishment. We won’t be back.

The front desk staff were friendly and really helpful. There’s an onsite restaurant for nights when you don’t feel like heading out, and the kitchen-equipped units have what you need to cook for yourselves. Two grocery stores are within a 5-10 minute walk. The beach, local transport, shops, and other restaurants are all nearby, and there are several pools.

Staff were great, and the beds were comfortable, but I came in the off season hoping to relax with other adults and it wasn’t a good fit. Noise carries badly through the large apartments and rooms, so peaceful sleep or downtime is hard to count on. The bathrooms and kitchens are very old, the kitchen is only okay, and the lighting isn’t great for reading or relaxing. Families might enjoy the place, especially in high season, but personally I think it’s overpriced for what’s offered. I’d only recommend it for families with young kids during the busy season.