Aparthotel Costa Mar

Arrived as a couple for the 2nd week in September. Booked last minute so didn’t know what to expect. Had read mixed reviews, especially about the food being poor or cold - total nonsense. We were half board so got breakfast which was limited enough if you were expecting a full fry every morning but plenty of fruit, yoghurts, cereals, eggs, bread, juice, etc. The dinner never failed to impress - a couple of hot choices every night - chicken, pork chops, lamb, turkey, beef meatballs, pasta, fish and plenty of salad. Chips most might. Also soup, rolls and plenty of cakes and ice cream. Great value! The menu can be quite traditional and not very child friendly if you have a fussy eater expecting pizza and chips. The only complaint I would have is that you have to pay for bottled water with your dinner - €2 a bottle each which is not expensive but I would have thought the water would be free. All drinks go on your room bill and are payable on checkout. The pool area is lovely - very clean and no sun bed wars that we saw. The pool is split in 2 with a deep section and a shallower section. Only downside is the pool bar - very expensive at €4 for a pint of Tropical and €5 for a pint of Magners. This compares badly with most other bars. The pool snacks seemed reasonably priced. Had a one bed apartment in block A on floor 3. Had a huge balcony overlooking the road and fabulous Pocillos beach. The apartment was typical Spanish style and spotless. It was cleaned 5 days out of the 7 we were there. The staff are the real success of this hotel - from reception to the restaurant to the pool bar to the exceptional cleaning staff. Everyone was most friendly and efficient. The hotel is set out in blocks in a horseshoe shape - our block was at the front while others go around the back of the pool and reception. There are no lifts so request ground floor if needed. There is no air conditioning in some apartments but the website does say this. You can pay for it in certain apartments - we just opened the patio doors and a window in the bedroom, which had a mosquito net to keep out the bugs. (Didn’t actually see any!) The hotel is in an ideal flat location. Great walks to the left to Matagorda or to the right to the main strip. The beach opposite is pure class! There is a huge Spar next door and a very handy pharmacy. A few restaurants but nothing hectic in our view. Please remember that this is a 3 star hotel. It certainly lives up to that and more. Folk should not expect or be critical of things that you would find in a 4 or 5 star hotel that the Costa Mar doesn’t have. We have booked to return as a family next June.

The accommodation is basic and facilities are basic. Pool bar opens for few hours The breakfast and evenjnv meal was twrrible and food manager very rude to everyone. Avoid the food as it terrible Nice pool but nothing to do no entertainment for kids or adults. Its bit far out u need to get taxi or walk 20 mins to start of strip. Was nice accommodation but very basic

Had a week there. Read reviews, so here is mine! We were in A21, a 2 bed apartment with nice sized balcony looking over the sea. Good sized rooms, twin beds in one and a super king in the other. Mattress were comfy, always a blessing! Just had a sheet on the bed but didn't need anything else. Was a very hot week, air con would have been good but we survived! Lounge are a good size, yes, very dated furniture and the sofa/chairs not very comfortable, no cushions etc but we didn't use them much. Kitchen stuff all basic but there. Bring decent sized mugs! Tiny teacups not good (we always take mugs). Bring mini washing up liquid/tea towel/dishcloth....none supplied. Small hand soaps in bathroom, no complimentary shower soap etc. Balcony furniture ok, no sunshades supplied, got too hot to sit there long (I bring a small umbrella). Dining room, well set out, clean. Food as expected.....mainly European taste catered for but always well cooked and presented and fair choices. Staff quick, efficient and friendly. Small library, mostly German language books in reception. Didn't use the pool, preferred the sea which was beautiful for swims but it looked good, clean and well set out. TV in room small and just one English channel, basic news one, rest were Spanish and German, Internet free in reception only not in rooms. Well placed for bus outside, or nice walks. Bike hire in the little shopping centre. Good Indian curry there too! Spar is very handy. This is one place we think we would return to, it's reasonably priced, it's not 4 star so don't go expecting 4 star decor/furniture/food choices but it suits what we wanted, a good base, sea views, lovely swimming, walks, time to rest, people watching, something to eat for breakfast and dinner and local shops for lunch. Oh and the Mozzies were out in force! Take mozzie stuff. And a bonus was that local drumming group practices a couple of evenings a week just along to the right by the castle area. Good to watch!