Hotel Miramar — Hotel in Málaga

Before I explain in detail the pros and cons that led me to a total of 3 stars, I'd like to emphasise that the highlight of the hotel is the personal: reception, Concierge, breakfast team, cleaning service, bell boys - all were always professional, convincingly friendly, helpful and welcoming. Personally I also liked the location, and found the proximity to the beach pleasant even at winter, as within reasonable walking distance to everything we visited in the city center. To sum up my mixed feelings, I'd say it's about value for money at first, about expectations of 5 star hotel that were not fulfilled and questionable interior design, both in taste (in common areas) and state (in room). I will expand: 1. Architecture and interior design: the building is stunning. Mostly the architecture is beautiful and convincing, that it's hard to say what's original and what's reconstructed. Very well done. The issues start with a very eclectic interior design. Now, I usually appreciate a good mix, but when you arrive at this grand hotel entrance, then see the furniture and light-objects chosen for the main Foyer, you might think you landed in the setting of aTurkish wedding/ Russian oligarchs fantasy. Surprisingly, there are several corners in various locations where you find modern-classic armchairs with a wall goblen behind then, which gives a totally different, much more "real" luxury feeling. This continues through all common areas, although breakfast room, indoors and outdoors, is pleasant thanks to the bright light and the all in all white surrounding. Some areas are better maintained than others, you see it outdoors more, I.e the pool chairs which whitish material didn't age well. Inside the rooms, and I saw two because we changed a room, there's the issue of small defects, a hotel of this level and price cannot afford: curtains not properly hanging, gaps in shower that let water out etc. We were first offered a room with balcony, but the balcony was so small (only for one person smoking), the design was so old fashioned conservative, and the closets in such worn put shape, that I asked to change. The second room, to my request in the Oriental design, was way better: the white marble gives a true feeling of luxus, but also here, many small defects and cheap materials were damaging the impression of the design, and in contrast to that marble. My main disappointment was about the facilities: a 5 stars Hotel without heated pool? The pool is closed, the SPA costs 25€ per hour per person (!) for hotel guests, and then - the sauna isn't working. A waste of our time, after reservation by appointment, without being informed ahead. We were then charged 1 for 2, fine, but not enough. Breakfast is very nice, good selection, but no variables, so by the third time you're a bit tired of it. Upon request for some variables, like anchovies or Sardines, I was getting nowhere. Another upsetting incident was on the roof balcony, where we wanted to watch the sunset: 2 females, perhaps guests perhaps "working-women", were drunk at 18h, loud and having video calls on speaker. No one explained to them, they are improper. I've asked a waiter, he went up to them, in vain. I believe an establishment like this, should make sure no guests, or "services" for purchase, is in any form disturbing other guests, without the guests themselves taking care of it, or leaving the roof too to their room, being violated. At the rate of the night here, we could have stayed 2 nights in very nice hotels nearby, we chose this for the promise of another level, which were not fully answered. We will probably not be back, although the potential is...

We staid at the supposedly 5* hotel for 5 days and spent in excess of 3,900 euros. I have frequented many hotels from around the world and this was a slight disappointment. There are many reasons as to why this is, I shall summarise;

1. Hotel Room: The deluxe sea room for a family was exceptionally small and not quite as high quality when compared to other 5* hotels I have staid at recently. For example the shampoo pumps didn’t work on the bottles, there was only one small window in the hotel room when there should have been three, one each side of the door, strangely these were blocked up. The hair dryer very low quality and the general feel of the room was slightly dated – not quite right when comparing to other high quality hotels. This hotel bills itself as a “leading hotel” and of course if you are going to use this “tag line” then you are going to have to live upto it or face the consequences.
2. Evening Dining: The dinner was hit and miss, considering we paid in excess of £225 for each dinner the service should have been far better. One evening we were served by a very rude lady and she really should have been far more attentive, caring and sympathetic to her clients requirements. We are not a fussy family in the slightest, but when she sat us near the “public seating area” as opposed to the restaurant area this was very unpleasant. Ultimately we were sat in a very horrible spot when the restaurant was completely empty. We raised this with her and she just gave some excuse which was muttered to us”. This behaviour is seriously ill fitting for a 5* hotel who consider themselves as a “leading hotel” – clearly far from it.
3. Complaint handling: We raised a complaint with the manager and spoke at length in terms of why we were upset and gave insights as to how things could have been better. Unfortunately nothing came from this meeting and this is why now I have to leave a 1* review. Simply allowing a client to complain without any resolution or even a basic follow up or some form of apology is simply not acceptable when you have spent 1000 euros per night.
4. Lunch time service: Again a very poor service from the waiters, slow in most part and very un-attentive yet they charge the very highest prices. If the hotel is going to charge the very highest prices you need to delivery exceptional service. My partner ordered a coffee and was waiting 20 minutes almost whilst they chatted and served other people, its simply not the sort of behaviour well trained staff would conduct.
5. Arrival: We had to unload our own bags from the taxi and then load these onto one of the “hotels bell trolleys” yet they had 3 porters all talking inside the lobby. Eventually they did come to our aide but it shouldn’t have taken so long considering there were so many staff available at that time.
6. Training: I would suggest that the overall running of the hotel is not up to scratch, when you compare it to say “Hotel Café Royal London” – the staff are simply no way up to there level. Similar prices, but that is where the similarities end.
7. Other Issues: There were many other smaller issues but at this stage its not worth my time going into further details. I would seriously consider a different hotel as the service will let you down at some point. If you are looking for extreme service and hospitality for your money I would recommend to...

My husband and I recently returned from Spain and spent five nights in Malaga at the Hotel Miramar. This was our second stay here. We have nothing but good things to say about this place! The hotel itself is absolutely stunning and very well maintained. It sits about a 10 minute walk from the city center which we prefer as its a quick walk and in a quieter area of the city. If you don't feel like walking, there are bus stops nearby. It is also conveniently located right along the Mediterranean. There is a road that separates the hotel from the beach, but there are plenty of crosswalks.

As soon as you arrive, bellhops immediately greet you and take your luggage as you go to reception to check in. Once you check in, a bellhop escorts you to your room and then goes to retrieve your luggage. I am not sure if its the room category we have had each time but for both of our stays we were greeted with a cold bottle of cava over ice.

Whenever you leave the room, all hotel employees greet you. Even if the maids were not actively cleaning our room but saw us in the hall, they would ask if we needed anything. We aren't the type that needs someone to tend to our room everyday, but the two times they did it was done quickly and beautifully. They also offer a turn down service in the evenings which is not something we ever need/want, but when they knock to ask they also offer water and chocolates. If you happen to be out when they come around to the rooms, they will leave a note giving you a number to call if you wish for someone to come in for turn down service.

Our stay was made even better by some particular staff members. First, Fernando and Daniel at the concierge desk went above and beyond their duties. We were always greeted as we walked by the desk and any time we asked for suggestions they ALWAYS gave us multiple options and asked questions to try to help us find exactly what we were looking for. We also just enjoyed talking to them in the evenings and they took a genuine interest in our lives (as we did with theirs). If they were busy, a woman named Nataliya (I'm probably spelling her name wrong, sorry!) would always ask if she could help us. She was equally amazing and helpful and we also enjoyed chatting with her. All of the bellhops were great, but Vicente in particular would always ask if he could help us. We were looking for one of the gentlemen at the concierge desk one afternoon and he called him immediately to see where he was.

My husband and I also splurged on the spa this trip. I wish I remembered the name of the woman who works at the desk of the spa, but she was super friendly and helpful. She helped ensure our spa experience was relaxing. We spent an hour in the indoor hot tub/circuit area which we loved and then had hour-long Swedish massages. Juan and Carmen were our massage therapists and they were fantastic!

When we return to Malaga, we will definitely spend the money on this hotel. In our opinion, the amenities are great and the staff go above and beyond their jobs to ensure your stay is as close to perfect...