Hotel Santamarta — Hotel in Cullera

Stayed here for two nights as we were attending a family wedding locally. It was the hotel we were told to book as others were staying here but I later saw the previous reviews. Please be aware that the rating is based on some very old reviews and some recent reviews which I feel is unfair. The hotel itself is fresh and clean when you enter. Staff at reception are efficient and polite. Our room was lovely and the bed was one of the most comfortable I have stayed in. Air conditioning was great. Large wardrobe space. The pool whilst small is cool and fresh which is what you need. It wasn't overcrowded as many guests chose to go to the beach which is a very short walk away. There is a small supermarket close by and a few restaurants which we didn't get a chance to try due to being at the wedding. There is waiter service at the pool for drinks which are reasonably priced. The buffet breakfast is good and better than some hotels I've stayed in which claim to be 5 star rated. Every afternoon, there is tea, fresh orange juice, jugs of iced water, a bucket of ice and some afternoon sweet treats in the reception area. They have a great bar area which is cool and comfortable seating. If I wanted something to improve at the hotel, it would be a larger safe considering the size of laptops and a better lunch buffet as we chose to eat here on one day and it wasn't great. Someone mentioned the music was loud but we were on one of the higher floors so maybe this didn't affect us but the hotel would no doubt listen to guests if they offered feedback forms and the consensus was for quieter, chilled music. One older review stated that the hotel charged for parking but this is not the case as we were able to park in the areas outside the hotel for free. Even though, I still stand by the 5 stars I have given them and would happily rebook...

I paid over €4,000 for what was supposed to be a relaxing 4-star stay — but instead, I experienced one of the most humiliating and stressful visits of my life.

The hotel itself is just okay-ish — nothing special, but acceptable. However, the service was shockingly poor. From the moment I arrived, I was ignored at reception for more than five minutes while staff chatted in the back and another simply stared at the computer screen — no greeting, no professionalism, just cold indifference. Not a single other guest was being attended at that time, so there was absolutely no excuse for this neglect.

The worst incident occurred when a bartender publicly humiliated me and my family with rude and disrespectful behavior, leaving us deeply upset.

There were many other issues during my stay, but due to the team’s dismissive and defensive attitude, I chose not to mention them at the time — I didn’t want to completely ruin the entire visit or face further hostility.

After I raised a formal complaint, the hotel responded with a generic denial — no apology, no accountability, and no genuine effort to address what happened.

I paid a premium expecting a full 4-star experience, including respectful and professional service. Instead, I was met with humiliation, disrespect, and unprofessionalism.

The management clearly fails at hospitality, and I strongly advise anyone to look elsewhere if they expect to be treated with basic respect...

Firstly, the Hotel is not signposted until you are very close and even then it is difficult to find as the sign appears to point in a different direction! ||The check in was very good and I elected to pay 9€ for an overnight safe parking and not surprised to see my car was the only one in the garage, it is rather expensive and they might like to consider charging a couple of Euro's a night and they will generate more income that way! Be very careful when coming out with your car...the closing gate nearly trapped me and the car.||Food: Mmmm, I had dinner (18€) and it is a buffet type, so you will not go hungry...but I found the food too be " lukewarm". The breakfast was included in the price and once again it was served buffet style and most of what I had (eggs and bacon) was cold...not even lukewarm, sadly.||The Room: Very spacious and I had a sea view (plus a view into the apartments opposite!).||As is normal for Spain, there are NO tea/coffee making facilities in the room, but I always bring my own anyway, so if you are wanting tea/coffee in the room, do the same.||WIFI: Excellent reception and it allowed me to watch English TV on my mobile phone using the Mobdro app.||Would I go back and spend more than one...