Red Level at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora

Nice but many things about this place make it not amazing and not all that exclusive! Feel a bit ripped off… I must caveat this review by saying that we had a nice restful break in the sun and the resort is nice, stunning location. The red level is nice but the pool area is small for the number of rooms! We had to do what we hate and get up early to reserve some space! I was under the impression before arriving, that Red level pool service would involve one of the numerous pool bar staff or ‘consierge’s would take our drinks orders and bring (especially as we were AI) however this was not the case, we had to get up off our sun beds and order and they brought it to us. Not a major issue but with so many staff standing around, it seemed strange! They really, really need to rethink the staff roles around the pool - there was no one to help us move heavy parasols, or help find sun beds or move old towels etc - this meant a real shortage of beds. One day it rained and afterwards we went back and grabbed our own pool mattresses from a pile - right in front of 4 staff all standing behind the bar (as usual) with nothing to do! It’s not a biggy, but when paying almost £3000 per person for a week - I would have expected better and a little help!! Another major issue is the highly confusing all inclusive!! One evening we wanted to order a gin and tonic rather than wine with dinner there is barely any wine choice either) to be told we couldn’t have it in the restaurant- although could have it 3 metres away in the bar!? What is and isn’t included got very confusing!! The queues to get into ALL restaurants became ridiculous!!! Every time we went anywhere! I regularly saw stroppy and unhappy people being turned away requiring managers to come to sort out the problem, several times!! The main buffet restaurant is not good at all, breakfast there is stressful too - it’s like a 3-4 star. Queues so big at Red level too…. It really spoiled it for us. Never seen anything like it before. The red level rooms are nice though, but as 2 single women travelling in separate rooms we requested to be nearby to each other but were informed on arrival that this was not possible - we were placed in opposite blocks about a 5 min walk from each other. My room was on an outdoor corridor, over looking a road on the edge of the site, it did make me feel a bit unsafe and spoiled our experience too, meant we couldn’t pop into see each other etc I noticed throughout the hotel that there seemed to be lots of staff who stand around and don’t seem to make eye contact to request drinks / service etc leaving one or 2 looking overwhelmed which strikes me of poor supervision etc so that was disappointing to witness. No bar in the evening at Red level too… a bit dead really! A la carte restaurants were booked by the wonderful Lucas and my butler Ray was very kind too. I could not fault the friendliness of most of the staff - they really made us feel special. Overall, it was nice but no where near as good as Secrets etc or other AI hotels I’ve been to.

Have just returned from a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful stay at Red Level Gran Meliá. The staff were so helpful, going out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful holiday experience which we did! Looking forward to returning again soon

This review complements another one where we focused purely on the hotel. This review focuses purely on the continuous pestering of guests by staff trying to sell Circle membership. It is truly unbearable. Yesterday 3 different staff members on 3 different occasions approached us by the pool while we were clearly relaxing. It starts with a fake..”are you having a nice holiday?” And then quickly moved into a persistent sell of this loyalty/timeshare-esque scheme with the offers of gifts, drinks etc. it’s just horrible and it’s disrespectful to guests who have paid money for a relaxing break. We’ve had cards pushed under the bedroom door. This morning we have had one attempt to talk to us by the pool and now we’ve had a WhatsApp message. Just does not stop. Management need to be aware and take action. At this point, it will have the reverse effect you intend and stop us coming to Meliá hotels in the future at all. Some guests like that product. So offer it, market it indirectly but pestering fee-paying guests is inappropriate.

A second review is posted below on a separate issue but this one relates purely to the hotel. We stayed in Red Level for Adults and it is definitely worth the extra - rooms are spacious and well appointed, breakfast in Red Level is superb, pool is quiet and plenty of space (although usual sun-bed blocking early in the morning which is frustrating). The two restaurants associated with Red Level are really good - La Terrasse and Le Bistrot Provencal. The Spa is fantastic and the masseuses were very good. When you venture to bars and restaurants in wider hotel, it is rather chaotic, noisy and - of course - full of kids and a bit like eating/drinking in a shopping mall… we only ate there once, cancelling our other reservations and, instead, eating in the nearby village (Alcala is a 10 min walk from hotel). Staff in Red Level were very friendly and responsive. Waiting staff at breakfast and in bar by Red Level pool deserve a specific shout-out and were appreciated.

Very pleasant stay. Staff wonderful and very professional and helpful. Rooms great and breakfast at the Redlevel excellent. The Redlevel could benefit from having a separate small bar in the evening - as compared to having to go to the main hotel.