Escape to Paradise: Benalmadena's Luxury Pool & Beach Retreat!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're diving headfirst into "Escape to Paradise: Benalmadena's Luxury Pool & Beach Retreat!" – and trust me, it's way more fun than a pristine, perfectly-organized hotel brochure.
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Right, so, the name… "Escape to Paradise." Big claim, right? Let's see if this Benalmadena beauty lives up to it. Spoiler alert: it's complicated. I’m not some travel bot; I’m human and I’m not afraid to tell you what I really think!
First Impressions & The Arrival Rhapsody (Or, the Elevator Saga)
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. This is BIG for many people, myself included sometimes. "Escape to Paradise" promises it, let’s see if it delivers. The exterior, you’re greeted by the typical sleek, modern design. The entrance itself seemed pretty good, but what about the elevator? This is where things can get messy. I noticed several disabled guests, which is a point in their favor. The elevator itself looked accessible (wide doorways, buttons within reach, etc. – a good start! No, seriously, good on them!). One thing I’ve learned is that you cannot always rely on initial appearances, and this is where the hotel really needs to focus. I saw several people in wheelchairs struggling, the staff were helpful but there are clear areas for improvement.
Now, I'm no architect, but maybe a few more strategically placed ramps around the property wouldn’t hurt?
- Accessibility: Mixed bag. Good intentions and some effort, but more could be done. Definitely check in advance if you have specific mobility needs.
- Wheelchair Accessible: As noted: Improvements needed.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Check.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Exterior corridor: Great, so no more cramped hallways.
Checking In: Smooth Sailing or Seasick?
The check-in/out process? Mixed. I’ve had smoother experiences at a gas station, and faster ones. But, hey, the concierge was genuinely helpful, and made up for a lot of things the front desk was lacking. There's both Contactless check-in/out and Express Check-in/out. So, options! I went for the old-fashioned, human interaction kind – which was a mistake!
- Check-in/out [express]: Available.
- Check-in/out [private]: Available.
- Concierge: Yes, and they're aces.
- Doorman: Yes.
The Room: My Personal Oasis (or the Tiny Closet with a View?)
The room? Okay, I’m coming to the good part! I had a "Deluxe Ocean View" room. Air conditioning? Yes. Blackout curtains? Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. A mini-bar? Uh huh! You can bet I raided that thing for emergency supplies. The view? Absolutely breathtaking. The view really did help soothe my soul after a rough day!
- Available in all rooms: (deep breath) Extra long bed, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Wi-Fi Whisperings:
- Internet access: Yep.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Hallelujah! And it actually works. I could stream my cat videos with zero buffering. WIN.
- Internet [LAN]: Check.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yup.
- Internet services: Available!
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking… Oh My! (My Foodie Adventures)
Alright, food! Let's be honest, a hotel can live or die by its dining.
Restaurants: There are several Restaurants. * A la carte in restaurant: Yep! * Asian cuisine in restaurant: I'm a fan, so I made sure to visit! The flavors were incredible. * International cuisine in restaurant: Check. * Vegetarian restaurant: Available. * Western cuisine in restaurant: Of course! * Coffee/tea in restaurant: YES! * Desserts in restaurant: YES! * Salad in restaurant: Yes! * Soup in restaurant: (I love soup). YES! * Breakfast [buffet]: Oh, the buffet! I love buffets! * Breakfast service: Yep. * Breakfast takeaway service: I did not know they had this! * Poolside bar: Obviously. * Bar: Yes. * Coffee shop: Yes. * Snack bar: Oh, the snack bar! * Room service [24-hour]: YES! Sometimes you just want to order a burger at 3 am! * Bottle of water: They gave me a bottle of water!
Dining, drinking, and snacking: The food game is strong.
The Body & Soul Showdown: Spa vs. Gym (aka, My Internal Battle)
Okay. This is where the "Escape to Paradise" name really gets tested, because the spa is everything. Seriously. I'll start with the gym/fitness. It's there. It has machines. I walked in, looked around, and walked straight back out. I was there to relax!
- Body scrub: Available.
- Body wrap: Yep.
- Fitness center: A real one!
- Foot bath: Absolutely yes.
- Gym/fitness: There.
- Massage: A must.
- Pool with view: Oh yes. The best view I've seen in a long time.
- Sauna: YES!
- Spa: A proper spa.
- Spa/sauna: Both.
- Steamroom: YES!
- Swimming pool: Outdoor and indoor are a plus.
Family Friendly Fiascos (and Flips)
- Babysitting service: Available, if you want it.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
Cleanliness, Safety, and All That Jazz (Because We Have to Talk About This)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Cashless payment service: Good for us.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good to know.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind.
- First aid kit: Essential.
- Hand sanitizer: I always appreciate this.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
- Hygiene certification: I’m happy they're doing all this extra stuff.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Fair enough.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: That's a choice, I like it.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent.
- Safe dining setup: Excellent.
- Shared stationery removed: Smart.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good.
The Verdict: Should You Escape Here?
It's not perfect. No place is. The accessibility needs work in a few areas, and there were some little hiccups. But: the view, the spa, the food, the friendly staff… they almost make up for it. I mean if Benalmadena is your scene, then this is your hotel.
My Final Honest Verdict (TL;DR): Go. Just go. Give it a go.
The "Escape to Paradise" Offer (Let Me Sell You This Thing!)
Escape to Paradise: Benalmadena – Your Paradise Awaits!
Ready for
Koksijde Dream Apartment: Sleeps 6! (Belgium)
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagrammable travel blog. This is me, unfiltered, stumbling through my Benalmadena adventure. And it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess.
Cozy Retreat: Premium Pool, Beach and Sunshine in Benalmadena, Spain (aka: My Slightly Delusional Escape)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Sunburn Inquisition (aka: The Day My Face Became a Tomato)
- Morning (or what passes for morning after 10 hours of travel): Landed at Malaga airport! Jet lag, meet me. I'm already sweaty and convinced my luggage is lost in a tango with a conveyor belt. Found a guy with a sign. Apparently, "Cozy Retreat" isn't a name, it's a vibe. We're aiming for cozy, and the rental car (thankfully automatic, because my brain is currently operating on a dial-up connection) is…well, it's a car. Gets us there, right?
- Mid-day (aka: The Incident): Checked in. The place is even prettier than the photos! That pool… I'm practically drooling. And the view! Oh. My. God. The Mediterranean, sprawled out like a sparkly blue blanket. Okay, deep breaths. This is real life. Time for a swim. And sunscreen. LOTS of sunscreen. I even thought I put on enough. I was wrong. SO, SO wrong. Spent a glorious hour doing cannonballs into the pool and then, in a moment of pure, unadulterated genius, decided to sunbathe. Barely even 25 minutes. "Just for a tan" I told myself. Turns out, my pale Irish skin is not quite the tanning machine I envisioned. My face is now a shade of red that could rival a lobster's after a boil. I can barely close my eyes without a dull ache.
- Afternoon/Evening (aka: The Aloe Vera Pilgrimage): Spent an hour desperately searching for the closest pharmacy, face on fire like I'm facing the sun. Did I mention my Spanish is nonexistent? Pointed at the offending body part, frantically gesturing. Eventually, (after a dramatic performance involving me, a bewildered pharmacist, and a lot of hand-wringing), I secured a tube of aloe vera. Now looking like a slightly fragrant, and possibly deranged, slug. Dinner was a sad, silent affair of pre-packaged sandwiches eaten indoors because, well, see above. Vowed to buy a hat tomorrow. And maybe avoid the sun entirely. Maybe.
- Quirk observation: Why are all Spanish tiles so beautiful? Even the ones in the bathroom look like mini works of art. And why do I suddenly want to learn to speak Spanish? (Even though I still can't order a coffee without intense mental gymnastics)
- Emotional Reaction: Ugh. The sunburn. The sheer stupidity of me. I actually cried a little when I put the aloe vera on. Like a baby. I mean, I was expecting a lovely, tanned glow, not to be a walking, talking (and very sensitive) tomato.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Followed by a Fishy Fiasco)
- Morning: Woke up feeling like my face was a balloon. I'm also wearing a hat this time. The pool? No. Not today. I took the advice of a local (a kindly shop owner who stifled a laugh while pointing at my face) and, following his vague directions, ended up on the beach! Okay, the sand is perfect. The water is clear. The waves are mild. I. Love. This. Place!
- Mid-day: Found a beachside chiringuito (that’s a beach bar, for the slow learners) and spent a blissful couple of hours reading a book in the shade, sipping an iced coffee, and just letting the world… be. Maybe I could live here forever…(I'm already picturing myself as a sun-kissed, Spanish-speaking goddess)
- Afternoon/Evening: Decided to be adventurous! Went to a fish restaurant. Ordered "pesca del dia" (fish of the day), which they said was "dorado." It looked beautiful when it arrived. And smelled amazing. Until I took a bite. It was the most fishy-tasting fish I've ever encountered. I mean, I love fish, but this tasted like it had been pulled from the sea five minutes before and had an existential crisis. I didn't want to be rude, so I tried to eat as much as I could, but eventually, with a sigh of surrender I left a good part of that fish on the plate. Lesson learned: stick to basic Spanish phrases. Vowed to find tacos tomorrow.
- Anecdote: Sat next to a couple who were clearly on their honeymoon. They were so in love. And also slightly annoying. Every bite of food was met with a "Mmm, this is so good!" accompanied by intense eye-gazing. I'm happy for them, really I am. But I may have rolled my eyes at least twice.
- Messy thought: The food has been slightly hit-or-miss. Maybe my palate is just not sophisticated enough. Or maybe… the fish just wasn't that good. Hmm…
Day 3: Cable Car and a Quest for the Perfect Flan (aka: High Altitude Hilarity - and Flan!)
- Morning: Up at an ungodly hour (for me). Because, cable car! Took the Teleferico up to the top of Mount Calamorro. Wow. Holy. Crap. The views! The entire coastline laid out before me, the mountains! Even the slightly nauseating rock music blaring from the cable car couldn't diminish the breathtaking beauty.
- Mid-day: Explored the trails at the top, which was a mistake. I had the wrong shoes. I have no balance. I was pretty sure I was going to roll down the mountainside. But I didn't! Saw a bunch of birds of prey. Maybe, if I don't succeed in Spain, I can also become a bird of prey!
- Afternoon/Evening: The quest for perfect flan. I'm still searching for the perfect flan. Went on a quest. I stopped at several "pastelerias" (pastry shops) and ordered a flan at each, sampling and comparing flavors. The first one was too eggy. The second one was too sugary. The third one…finally, success! It was creamy, caramel-y, and perfect. Almost worth the sunburn. Dinner was, thankfully, a triumphant return to the previously discovered taco bar. Comfort food for a weary traveler.
- Opinionated language: I hate heights, but I loved that cable car. Terrifying, but stunning.
- Emotional reaction: Pure joy at the top of the mountain. I briefly (very briefly) felt like I understood what it meant to truly live. And then I remembered I had to hike down.
- Doubling down on an experience: The flan quest was the highlight of the day. It became an obsession. The hunt! The anticipation! The pure, unadulterated joy of that perfect bite! I may or may not have bought four more to take back to the villa.
- Quirky observation: Spanish people seem to be inexplicably good at everything. Cooking. Driving. Looking effortlessly chic. I'm still trying to figure out how they do it.
Day 4: Pool Day and Departure (aka: The bittersweet goodbye - and a final swim!)
- Morning: The dreaded packing, but with a good amount of time to enjoy the pool one last time. The sun is amazing and I think I'm starting to get a tan. Went shopping to get more things because I'm now obsessed and want to live here forever.
- Mid-day: Pool day! Blissful, perfect pool day. Spent hours floating, reading, and soaking up the sun (with plenty of sunscreen and a hat). It was absolute, utter perfection.
- Afternoon/Evening: Final meal in Benalmadena. The best paella ever, followed by… you guessed it, more flan! And then, with a heavy heart, it was time to head for the airport. Saying goodbye to this beautiful place felt like leaving a piece of my soul behind. I'm definitely going to come back.
- Stronger emotional reactions: Arrived at the airport and felt a pang of sadness. Even the slightly annoying things (the fish, the sunburn) faded away as I thought about the memories I made.
- Messy thought: Did I really only spend four days here? It feels like a lifetime.
- Farewell I have to leave. No!!!
Okay, so that's it. My slightly bonkers, uneven, and sunburned Benalmadena adventure. Probably not the polished travelogue you're used to, but hopefully, it gave you a taste of the real, messy, wonderful experience. And, trust me, the flan was worth the journey. Now, where's that aloe vera?
Rakalj Luxury: Your Dream Villa Awaits (Pool & Jacuzzi!)
Escape to Paradise: Benalmadena's Luxury Pool & Beach Retreat - The Messy Truth!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. You're about to get the **real** lowdown on "Escape to Paradise." Forget the glossy brochures, the Instagram filters – I'm here to give you the Benalmadena experience, warts and all. And believe me, there were some *definite* warts.
Okay, so Escape to Paradise... Sounds boujee. Is it actually *worth* it?
Look, "worth it" is subjective, right? Did I feel like a Kardashian for a week? Parts of me did. The infinity pool? Divine. The beach access? Glorious, especially when the vendor selling fresh churros arrived. (Side rant: those churros were *gone* in under a minute. I'm still dreaming about them...). The "luxury" part? Mostly delivered. But... and there's always a but... it wasn't *perfect*. More on that later. Let's just say, my bank account is still recovering. Ask yourself: are you willing to pay a premium for a *mostly* flawless experience? If yes, and churros are also a priority, then maybe. Maybe.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they *actually* as luxurious as they look online?
Okay, the rooms. Let's talk rooms. We booked a "Sea View Suite". Sea view it was, absolutely STUNNING. Like, jaw-dropping, Instagram-worthy views. For about… five minutes, because I was too busy unpacking and battling the temperamental air conditioning to actually *appreciate* it at first (more on the AC later. OMG, the AC). The suite itself? Spacious, yes. Modern, yes. Did it feel like a palace? Hmm. Let's be real. The "luxury" was a bit… *inconsistent*. The bed was ridiculously comfy (I could have stayed there forever), the bathroom was lovely, but the promised "gourmet welcome basket"? A sad little selection of stale biscuits and instant coffee. Seriously? Come on, guys! Stale biscuits! That’s a travel crime. So, yeah, good, but not *mind-blowing.*
The pool looks incredible. Was it as relaxing as it seems?
The pool. Oh, the pool. The infinity pool is, hands down, the highlight. It's *gorgeous*. Infinity edge, overlooking the Mediterranean… Pure bliss. Or, at least, it *could* have been. The problem? The human element. Namely, the brigade of people who apparently think it's socially acceptable to claim a prime sunbed at 7 AM by dumping a towel on it and then *disappearing for hours*. It was a battlefield, I tell you! Me, wrestling with my own internal struggle to get a sunbed when I finally relented. I got up early, and secured my position after 6 AM, just because, and then I had to watch everyone else do the same. It still wasn't fun. So, yes, the pool itself was amazing. The *experience* of getting to use it? Less so. It made me oddly aggressive. I even almost had to ask someone to remove their bag from the pool area. (I didn't, because I'm a terrible person.)
And the beach access? What's that like?
The beach access was... *convenient*. It’s not *the* best beach in Benalmadena, mind you, but it’s right there, a short walk from the pool. Soft sand, clear water… standard beach stuff. The real joy was the beach bar. They served cocktails, which were *essential*, especially after a day of battling for sunbeds. The service was slow, *very* slow, and one of the waiters kept calling me "señorita", even though I'm very clearly *not* a señorita (I' m pretty sure I look much older, in a delightful way), but, really, who cares? You're on holiday. You're on a beach. Cocktails are involved. Life is good, even when you're waiting 20 minutes for a Mojito. (And the sea was much quieter than that pool!)
Tell me about the food. Was it worthy of the price tag?
Ah, the food. Okay, the main restaurant, the one with the fancy name I can't remember, was *hit or miss*. Some dishes were genuinely delicious – remember those churros? They have an amazing chef. Others? Meh. The steak one night was tough as old boots, and the service was slower than a sloth on a sedative. Breakfast, though... breakfast was an adventure. A chaotic, glorious adventure. Think: overcrowded buffet, the constant drone of chatty tourists, and the desperate scramble for a croissant. It was entertaining, in a "Survivor: Breakfast Edition" kind of way. You know, the kind of experience you laugh about *later*. I would say I ate way too many pastries. The dining costs were too much. Ultimately, good, but not amazing. It was never *bad*, just… not always stellar. The prices, though, were *always* stellar. (Meaning high.)
I've heard there's a spa. Is it any good and should I visit?
The spa. Ah, the spa. I, unfortunately, had to skip the spa. I went in for a massage and they were shut! I didn't have sufficient time, as I was having a small crisis.
Anything else I *really* need to know before booking?
Okay, here's the truth: the air conditioning. The bane of my existence for a solid 72 hours. The air conditioning in my room was... *fickle*. It would alternate between freezing me into a human icicle and blasting out hot air like a furnace. I reported it three times. THREE TIMES! Each time, the staff would come and "fix" it, and each time, it would break again an hour later. Finally I had to just open the windows - which was GREAT because of the street noise from the bar across the way! Anyway, it’s important to know that the luxury of the room has the potential to be, at times, seriously uncomfortable. Prepare for the potential for a wrestling match with your thermostat. Bring earplugs... and patience. Lots and lots of patience. And enjoy your churros. You’re going to need themPersonalized Stays
