 | Almuñécar Reviews | Tips 1 - 9 of 9 |  |
Hostal Plaza Damasco is a small, pleasant, well maintained hotel on the edge of Almunecar's old shopping streets. And less than 10 minutes walk from the Bus Station. The hotel from the outside is very distinctive, following the Syrian theme, with white plaster and 'arab-style' windows.
Inside, the circulation spaces were filled with plants. The rooms are large, clean and well-furnished. On the windows were solid wooden shutters, which is fine, because the views were hardly remarkable! The en-suites had baths and showers, though the water was barely luke-warm.
I was offered a double room for the price of a single (25 euros). Double rooms were normally 40 euros. After all, November is a slow month. Though the owners did not speak any English they were pleasant and friendly (well, ok, the older guy was rather grumpy). Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Calle Cerrajos, 8Phone: 958 630 165Directions: The hostal faces onto Plaza Damasco and the 'front' door is through the tunnel (leading to Calle Real) on the left.
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Great stay. It's just outside Almunecar, so you will need a car. Taxi into Almunecar approx 6 euros.
The apartment is built on a hillside and is part of a complex. Everything you need is in this 2 bed apartment inc TV, dvd's, childrens and adults games, books
The balcony is about the size of the whole apartment and the view over to Almunecar is great
There is use of shared pools, the panoramic pool and the infinity pool. Both great pools although the panoramic was a little busier.
The cost for a week in August 07 was £350 (that was the total cost for 2 adults and 2 children) Leave a Comment
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do you want to be wake up early in the morning by a hammer drill just below your room because there are some hotel works you have not been warning about? then hotel casablanca is your pick!
apart from the damaged doorknob and the broken bathroom facilities you will also find an ill-mannered and lying staff chief who took more than 24 hours to give me an official complaints sheet
besides, i asked them if there were some street where i could leave my car for free and they told me that i had to leave my car in front of the hotel and buy a parking meter ticket every two hours ... and i discovered that you have all the free parking streets right at the back of this very hotel. charming staff indeed!!! they dont wanted me to walk 30 metres!!! Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: plaza san cristobal, 4. almuñécar (granada)
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 | |  |  | Albayzin Del Mar Hotel: Almunecar4*- family suites - Kids free (part 1)
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25th July - Staying in a suite here for the last weekend of our trip. With large swimming pool/garden area & free kids under 12, it'll be nice to have our b &bs made for us & sip a coctail round the pool before going back to the grindstone.
27th July - Problems - Have given c.c. details but no confirmation of booking. Contact on their given email addy received a 'Please do not make bookings via this email address reply'- When people take your c.c. details there should be a quick response. Will give them until a bit later.
3 days later. A garbled confirmation of sorts has arrived from the hotel - apparently, their internet was having problems & is now fixed but now it seems the price of the room has gone UP by 54 euros from the original quote. Worldby.com (booking agent) have been chasing up - Too much hassle.
2 weeks later - Huge problems with this booking. Confirmation voucher eventually arrived but at the higher rate & on receiving c.c. statement they have charged me TWICE- once at the lower rate & once at the higher rate. Subsequent efforts to ammend booking & get any sense out of anyone have failed. Had a series of emails from a bunch of worldby.com staff with a variety of colourful names who suddenly become 'out of the office these days' & who 'pass me onto a collegue'. Extremely irritating.
10th Aug - After much time spent on my part, received a sensible email direct from the hotel asking me to clarify which booking I want. Hoping the matter will now be sorted.
Today - Matter Sorted. After email direct to the hotel explaining situation, have delt with the pleasant Maria & all 'seems' to be ok. HIGHLY recommend dealing directly with the Hotel and NOT worldby.com/spainby.com who send emails out as if they were the hotel but are actually not (check email headders to see exactly who has sent the email). Just got to make sure 2nd deposite taken , is now returned promptly. (*It was*). Please see separate tip for post visit review.
Hotel appears not too large and not too ugly! Nice white facade and marble flooring etc Large family suites with their own kitchens, children under 12 free of charge. Very nice grounds and pools.
Recommend Hotel Albayzin de Mar check all their website links for correct email address though, the online booking system leaves alot to be desired.
Again, I advise avoid worldby.com/spainby.com at all costs, sometimes their system works and sometimes it doesn't! Deal direct with the hotel who are much more organised and now that this is sorted out, much more pleasant. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Albayzin Del Mar Hotel: wins on price, but mixed feelings (Part 2)
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After a few days at this hotel I had mixed feelings. It's perfect for families as you can book a suite where kids under 12 go free, a reasonable option. There were some pretty messy goings on with the booking & sad to say a few incidents that put me off a bit. On arrival after dealing with James Bond style car park in the heat we got to the room to find other peoples things in it! They had given us someone elses key- BAD! A treck back to reception. On first impressions the suite was spacious & clean but on a closer inspection the fridge was off & boasted a brown smelly stain. Failing to work it out we asked reception who said wait 'until manana' for an 'engineer'. Turned out there was a switch you had to 'slide down' or something - not obvious & no notice to tell guests, in fact there as no info re anything much. Had brought some cheese & wine etc which rapidly went off, also no chilled water for the night. Uncleaned graffiti graced one bedroom wall & I couldn't help thinking we'd be bunged in a slightly 2nd class rather stale suite. Plus side - we had a huge balcony with a garden view. Reception were very efficient but had that feeling that they were looking down at you somehow. Being the only Spanish speaking person in our party (not totally fluent) I end up speaking alot for others & on resorting to English very briefly at reception one day, I was told in no uncertain terms to 'habla en Espanol'! Afer the freedom of a village house where you felt very involved in life around I felt cooped up in this place of mirrors & floor 6 felt like it could have been anywhere in the world. The food & drink prices were seriously inflated & the A La Carte restaurant was dark & empty, so if you didn't book full board it was very dull. The gardens and pool looked fabulous lit up at night though, symmetrical and lots of lovely flowers and fountains. As I say it wins on price for family, but I wish we had gone back to our little 2** in the mountains, but the small people loved the pool, so that was a major plus.
Excerpts from the A La Carte Menu (English version) : )
Imperial of the orchard with bonite fish of the north in escabeche mode.
Papada Capaccio with stroke salad with vinaigrette with pinions .
Rodaballo heart at the short broth.
Back of barracuda in scab of almonds.
Back of Codfish to the Baezana
White garlic with Partridge in escabeche mode with grapes jam
Shallots, soup yoke and Duck ham.
and... selection of 'Rises on request' :
'Blink' paella.
Rice with 'stroke' (sounds fun!)
and possibly for desert?
Stawberries with green pepper and citrus juice.
or even...
Fried milk with vanilla ice cream?
Hotel Tip : Take your own beach towels, if you dont want to pay 12 euros for a towel, although you do get to keep it if you do. Leave a Comment
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Facing the San Cristóbal beach, the Hotel Casablanca is a newly built hotel, although you wouldn't know it from its architectural style and decoration which contain specific elements of Moorish art and culture.
This traditionally simple 2** hotel has 35 air conditioned (spotlessly clean) ensuite rooms and parking is in their own garage - (extremely handy in Almunecar).
Situated between the two largest (pebble) beaches in Almuñécar, facing the Ornithological Gardens and 100 metres from the "Majuelo" Botanical Park, it's a perfect spot for the beach and yet close to the old town and places of interest - So it's not necessary to hire a car unless you want to explore places further afield.
The hotel also boasts the Emiliano Restaurant which is of a very high standard and very reasonably priced. The terrace outside is a perfect spot to watch with world go by while sipping a drink or eating some delicious fish and house specialities. The Hotel also boast their own Hotel Casablanca wine, which seemed to have an instant 'giggle factor' on me after one glass!
I should point out, that the service is basic, if efficient and not necessarily for those who prefer to be greeted by a schmoozy type welcome. The guy in hotel reception was nic-named
'laughing boy' due to what appeared to be a rather sourly manner, but became quite fond of his lack of smarminess yet quiet efficiency by the end of the stay.
The main reception is locked at night, you have a key to enter via the side gate, so it's a good idea to stock up on some water for your your room at night, especially in the summer months.
Sitting on our sea facing balcony, and being so close to the bird park, you drift off to the sound of bird song (peacocks can be rather loud, but that didn't bother me!) and we had the pleasure of watching a rather fat owl fly past amongst other varieties of Gods feathered creatures.
Highly recommended for simple, no frills, traditionally decorated, well located and very reasonably priced hotel. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Plaza San Cristóbal, AlmunecarPhone: (+34) 958 63 55 75Directions: Playa Cristobal, facing the Ornithological Gardens and 100 metres from the "Majuelo" Botanical ParkWebsite: http://www.almunecar.info/casablanca/index_en.html Other Contact: email : gloster_manta@hotmail.co
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On my recent road trip, I stayed one night at Hostal Altamar, Almunecar.Situated in the in the old historical part of town, this 17 room hostal is cheap, clean, cheerful and boasts a small cafe - bar that serves fresh orange juice and decent coffee.
My ensuite room had a view out to the old cobbled street, was clean, scorching hot water and even provided a washing line by the window to dry your towels etc in the sun. Doors are open 24 hrs, breakfast is available all day and (according to their website) even your dog is welcome!
Highly recommended for a short stay and in the middle of tapas bars, restaurants etc
(Tip - PLEASE do not be tempted into the restaurant opposite with the fairy lights and terrace - Food awful!)
The hostal could be a little noisy at night, although the old town doesn't stay open too late there, most people moving onto bars enarer the sea front.
Cost - 39 Euros for a twin/double.
Relaxed, central, cheap.
Quirky owner! Leave a Comment Theme: HostelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Alta del Mar 13 18690 AlmunecarPhone: 958 63 53 87Directions: Edge of old town. Park on the seafront underground carpark, 5 mins walk.Website: www.hostalaltamar.com Other Contact: info@hostalaltamar.com
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When we stay in Spain for more than a few days, we rent a private house or villa. Summer 2005, we rented a traditional village house in Salobrena and this year (2006) we did the same in old town Almunecar.
Old village/town houses are designed to keep the heat out. This one is right by the castle with great views, a 6/7 min stroll to the beach (down hill, prob 10-15 mins up!), Simply decorated with a huge sun terrace and in a place where the small people can safely wander around and buy themselves an ice cream. It is also very reasonably priced.
This one has three 'double' bedrooms, two bathrooms (essential with two pre teens!) and...a large "fredge". ; )
Views, convenience for small shops, restaurants & bars, peace and quiet, near beach, old fashioned way of life.
The house turned out to be everything it said. The Norwegian owner (Erik) was friendly and helpful and the place was clean. The rooms were extremely small, but we didn't spend much time indoors, so 'no es importante'. The roof terrace with exra bathroom and washing machine very handy. This house would not be suitable for people with walking difficulties. Apart from being up a hill, there are also alot of stairs in the property. However, for those who don't mind the effort, it is a cheap and cheerful option, and extremely well situated for the old town, park and beach. The house is most suited for families, as the bedrooms are rather small and very close together not allowing much privacy.
If you hate parking in tiny spaces and don't have patience for alot of reversing etc with half the village watching...then park at the bottom of the hill and walk up, use the underground carpark on the seafront, or rent nearer the sea front on the level! Leave a Comment Theme: OtherComparison: least expensiveAddress: Calle San Miguel, AlmunecarDirections: Up the hill, right near the castle.Website: http://www.spain-holiday.com/
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Positioned in an unspoiled Spanish community, this four bedroomed village house offers offers "a Spanish experience for the discerning holidaymaker". The roof terrace gives a perfect vantage point for the many fiestas and processions which are part of the local community and a delightful place to sunbathe or eat under the stars. During the summer, neighbours sit out in the street catching up with the day's news and are delighted to stop and chat. Its position in the center of the old town is ideal for walking to the scores of restaurants, to the 5 kilometers of beaches and to explore the narrow lanes filled with unique boutique shops selling leather, jewellery, clothing and artifacts".
Have just returned from this lovely village house. The house was spotlessly clean and exactly as described. The owner Sally, left plenty of cleaning products, towels and food basics. It is very likely we will return again. Please tell Sally I recommended you if you rent this property!
Sally can also recommend a good cleaner, Cath (10 euros pr hr).
Freedom, space and in the middle of everything.
Added bonus of a shower on the roof terrace which has great views of the town, mountains and shoreline.
Perfectly located.
Very reasonably priced if you are a family and prefer the freedom compared to a hotel.
Owner very relaxed and pleasant to deal with.
Negatives :
Not suitable for those hard of walking, as there are alot of stairs (as nearly all village houses).
Hot water ran out too easily.
Would recommend a small fridge on the upper floors for cold drinks. Leave a Comment
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on May 21, 2006
on October 17, 2007
on May 8, 2008
on March 3, 2007
