El Balneario - Baños del Carmen — Restaurant in Málaga

My pregnant wife and I came here after going for a swim. We walked up and asked if the kitchen was open as many places we have been to in Spain have different hours of operation for the kitchen and there were only people at 2 tables. Mind you this restaurant is huge and was empty in all counts of measure. She told us yes and then told my wife she would need to put a dress on… which she had in her hand. She was putting it on and the lady asked if we had reservations which we said no. She said she was going to need to check if they had availability, mind you in a very rude and snarky way. This place literally had 2 tables in the whole restaurant occupied. I told my wife that we should just leave as it was very clear they did not want to serve us. Not sure if it had to do with the fact that we are American or the fact that my wife is 7 months pregnant and absolutely beautiful. We have had the most enjoyable time so far and everyone has been very courteous and accommodative as it is a bit tricky traveling at 7 months pregnant. We walked away and I took a photo of the restaurant so that I would have the name for a review and proof that we were there.

We walked away to our bicycles and were unlocking them to leave. A different lady from the restaurant came aggressively over to us and started screaming at us to delete the photo that we took of her. Which we replied that we took a photo of the restaurant, not her. We hadn’t even interacted with her or seen her. She would not stop yelling and threatening to call the police on us. I have never been treated this way by restaurant staff in my entire life. Mind you my wife and I have traveled to 50 plus countries. Terrible customer service and extremely rude. I could see why it is empty and has very poor reviews across all platforms. Beautiful location but that does not cut it with all the options out there. Other than that Malaga and the people here are beautiful and very kind. Go somewhere else and you will be treated with dignity...

We came on September 5th because their Instagram advertised a DJ session from 5 PM. We arrived at 8 PM, half the restaurant was empty, but the woman at the entrance told us the DJ was actually a private party already finished. No explanation for why this was promoted publicly.

When we asked for a table, she said we’d need to wait 30 minutes — even though half the place was empty. Her attitude made it very clear we were not welcome.

Sadly, this wasn’t our first bad experience. On a previous visit with 17 people, the waiter insisted he would memorize our orders instead of writing them down. The result was chaos: wrong drinks, wrong food, steaks mixed up, and we spent the night swapping plates instead of enjoying dinner. My pork even came undercooked three times.

Reservations don’t work either - twice I booked in advance only to arrive and be told our table was gone. They either seated us in the worst spot or left us waiting while “reserved” tables went to others.

This was our fifth and final chance for El Balneario. The food is inconsistent, the service careless, and the advertising misleading. Locals already avoid it, and now I understand why.

False Advertising & Bad Attitude: Advertising a DJ event on social media to attract guests and then saying it was “private” is misleading. The woman at the entrance showed no professionalism and no effort to help us. Instead, her attitude made it clear that we were not welcome.

And most importantly, your place ruins the general hospitality of Spain for tourists - while other restaurants work hard to provide great service, you ruin people’s evenings and dinners without any consequences.

I hope the owner reads this, because right now the staff are ruining what could be a...

My recent visit to El Balneario - El Baños del Carmen in Málaga was an absolute delight from start to finish. This hidden gem along the coast offers a perfect blend of relaxation and beauty, making it an unforgettable experience.

The historic charm of the venue immediately captured my attention. The tastefully restored architecture and the soothing sound of the waves created an ambiance that felt like stepping back in time. The views of the Mediterranean Sea were simply breathtaking, and the gentle sea breeze added a touch of serenity to the atmosphere.

The attention to detail in the service was remarkable. The staff members were not only attentive and friendly, but they also seemed genuinely passionate about ensuring every visitor had a memorable time. The menu was a culinary delight, offering a range of dishes that were as visually pleasing as they were delicious.

What truly sets El Balneario apart is its unique ability to cater to different preferences. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner by the sea, a laid-back afternoon with friends, or a quiet moment of personal rejuvenation, this place has it all. The clean and well-maintained facilities, combined with the lush gardens, create an inviting space that feels like a tranquil oasis.

In summary, El Balneario - El Baños del Carmen exceeded all my expectations. It's a true gem in Málaga that offers an exceptional experience for anyone seeking relaxation, beauty, and a touch of historical elegance. I can wholeheartedly give it a well-deserved...