Las Arenas Balneario Resort

It was a pleasant stay, and the hotel is a solid five-star property. Still, the “Grand Luxury” label is hard to justify in my opinion, especially with its five-star rating and membership in the Leading Hotels of the World collection. Service was good but not especially outstanding, and while the food was enjoyable, the hotel could use some renovations. The spa facilities were fairly standard too. It didn’t fully meet what I’d expect from a Grand Luxury five-star property.

Getting around Valencia was easy, with different kinds of transport nearby, so we didn’t need to rent a car. The location was perfect, and we loved the resort’s elegant design and decor. Staff were friendly, welcoming, and ready to help with anything. The restaurant was delicious, and we got to reserve the Valentine’s dinner, which was amazing. We loved our stay and hope to return.

We were really impressed by the hotel’s layout, staff, and amenities during our weekend visit after arriving at Castellon Airport. The cab from the airport was pricey, but the hotel made the trip worth it. I brought my daughter at the last minute, and they went out of their way to have a room ready, accommodate her, and give us a room facing the water. We ate at the hotel, visited the Spa, and took two excursions, a boat trip and a tuktuk ride. Highly recommend!

The hotel looked impressive from outside and in the lobby, but that feeling didn’t last once we looked around more closely. The rooms were just average, nowhere near what I’d expect from a five-star property. The spa was especially poor: small, old, and in urgent need of renovation. We could use it only on our first day because it was fully booked afterward. Nobody told us at check-in that we needed to reserve in advance. Paying another €25 per person for such a disappointing spa felt outrageous, and the locker keys didn’t work either. Our private wine glasses were taken from the room, which was especially unprofessional. Mistakes happen, but we asked reception twice and got no response, explanation, or even an apology. The stay was a major disappointment. The hotel relies on its pretty facade but doesn’t meet the standards it promises. I wouldn’t say it deserves five stars, and I definitely wouldn’t return.