Embarcadero de Calahonda

There were 30 of us who stopped in for dinner, and the manager seemed irritated that such a big group had turned up. He didn't seem to care and served us food we hadn't even wanted. The beer was the only good part.

The restaurant sits right on the beach beneath beautiful trees, with lovely views of the cliffs and the Mediterranean. The food quality is quite high for the area, and the service is good. The wine list is good, though a little limited.

Kay at reception is a lovely, attentive woman. The hotel is right on the beach, where you can find SUP, diving, jet ski, kayaking, and snorkeling facilities. There are different room types; ours was fabulous, spacious, and had a sea view. The hotel's restaurant is the best in town. We ate well and had a fantastic wine, Petalos (Mencía). The beach is pebbly, which some people will prefer and others won't. It's easygoing and relaxed here, maybe because we came in early June. We've already booked our next stay.

The setting right by the beach is idyllic, and the restaurant has a fantastic sea view. The staff look smart in black and white and are extremely helpful and attentive. It's a shame that all the care you can see in the service hasn't made it into the kitchen. The food is well below average. Hot dishes arrive on cold plates, so by the time they reach the table they're lukewarm at best, and often stone cold. Yesterday's "Sirloin Steak !!!!" didn't look like any sirloin I've seen or eaten in my 70 years. The grain ran lengthways, and there was no strip of fat around the edge. It came with lukewarm, soggy chips, cold asparagus, and stone-cold vegetables.