Universal Grand León & Spa

A couple of staff members really stood out: the woman by the pool sunbeds was exceptionally kind, and the young man who took our luggage and showed us to the room was polite, attentive, and clear in his explanations. They made our stay more pleasant. The rest of the service didn't match the price. Before arriving, we emailed to book a boat tour but got no reply. At check-in, staff couldn't find our reservation, and the receptionist seemed indifferent and unhelpful, so we had to help him locate it. Breakfast was disappointing too. No one told us there was a separate breakfast menu, and the staff generally seemed disengaged. We paid more for a junior suite with a partial sea view than a courtyard junior suite, but the room let us down. There were cobwebs in the bathroom, as if it hadn't been cleaned properly for a while. The balcony was spacious, though the sea view was slight, and the room felt cold and unwelcoming. A few plants or flowers might have helped. Most pool loungers were usually claimed with towels, but we could generally find two free ones. There were a few bright spots thanks to individual staff members, but the overall room quality and service fell short of what we paid. I don't see a reason to return.

The hotel has a nice feel to it, with pleasant rooms and a peaceful pool area where it was easy to find a sunbed. It's in a good location, and breakfast was excellent. Dinner was a letdown. The evening restaurant and service were pretty average, the food quality varied, and portions didn't satisfy our appetite. Service didn't feel five-star: nobody showed us to a table, food took ages, and sometimes the main course arrived while we were still on the starter. I wouldn't choose half board, especially with decent restaurants nearby.

The sea views, pool, and spa made the location a pleasure for our weeklong stay. Breakfast was delicious and had plenty of variety, including à la carte options, though getting coffee took a while. The gym is tiny but has the basics. The room was the weak point for a hotel with a five-star label. It was small, had uncomfortable twin mattresses pushed together, and felt rather plasticky. Great views and breakfast, but the rooms could use a serious upgrade. Bring flip-flops, sunscreen, and maybe a mattress topper.

A truly bad stay. The cooking quality varied depending on the day of the week, and someone stole an expensive dress from our room closet. It wasn't the premium experience you'd expect.