LXR La Carihuela Sea Views 3Hab.

The pool was lovely, the place was very clean and the staff were nice. Breakfast was really good too.

A little gem. We had a nice stay, and my wife and I both enjoyed it. It's clean and tidy, the staff are good, and I've only got one small gripe: breakfast should be kept warmer, maybe by using warm plates instead of cold ones. We'd come back without hesitation.

The hotel's location is excellent, and I don't blame the hotel itself; my issue is with TUI. After my third TUI holiday in 12 months, I'd spent around £7,000 on hotels all sold as 4-star. I was especially disappointed after staying at the Riu Costa del Sol earlier this year, which really did feel like a 4-star hotel. The difference at MS Tropicana was stark, and I want TUI to explain how it earned that rating and why it is marketed alongside places that offer much better comfort, facilities and guest experiences. My room felt dated, more like a 2-star property, and the connecting door reduced privacy. There were no tea or coffee facilities, which I consider basic at this rating. The balcony view was poor, dominated by a large, disused extractor fan, and dust and debris kept falling from the balcony above. I also noticed there was no 4-star plaque at the entrance. Nearby hotels display theirs, even some rated lower, at 3 stars. That made me wonder what the MS Tropicana's 4-star classification is based on. The experience was far below what was promised.

Breakfast is included, and the hotel is very good apart from one thing. When I asked to take a coffee from the breakfast area to my room, I was told very sternly that I could do it 'just this once,' but not the next day. There was no tea or coffee in the room either. We really enjoyed our stay: the location is perfect, almost right on the beach, and the facilities are great, including a pool, gym and Spa.