Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalasso Spa

Lovely hotel. Staff really friendly and helpful. Hotel and room is clean and tidy. Food ok, not the greatest but 1, I am real fussy snd 2, what you expect from buffet food really (we were only bed and breakfast so can’t comment on other meals) short taxi rides to other restaurants. Good value for money! No noise, very quiet. We loved having the doors open so we could listen to the ocean. Would deffo visit again.

Had high expectations as have stayed here previously (6 years ago with our teenage daughter). This time returned as a couple, hoping for the same luxury and lovely experience we had had before. So pretty disappointed this time. Felt like the hotel had not invested at all since our last visit, it all seems a bit tattler and unloved. Decor exactly the same, but more tired, spa area was tired with missing tiles, showers that were just a dribble, needed a freshen up, as did all the public areas. The previous breakfast area on the 2nd floor had been repurposed- this was one of the main reasons we came back as breakfast felt special with wonderful views of the med and a very calm relaxed atmosphere, a place to linger. Breakfast is now on the ground floor, no view, lots of sparrows flying around on the food, noisy and not a place to relax. Bar area was a bit soulless too, not a focal point for people to meet and chat so there was very little reason to hang around there, especially as it is so easy and cheap to get into estepona in the evening. Meant we spent very little money or time in the hotel which can’t be good for their profits! Staff were still very good, friendly, helpful, room was kept very clean, but the hotel has seen much better days and we would barely give it 4 stars now. It’s a shame as it is on a beautiful part of the estepona coast, away from the hubbub of estepona town and traffic, but now has fallen behind the competition by not seeming to invest to maintain the previous high standards. Parking is good though, lots of shaded spaces. So value for money was questionable, it wasn’t the luxury, relaxed experience we had had there a few years earlier, and were in dire need of this time, so won’t be going back. Lots of other 5 star hotels in Spain and beyond to explore. And if that’s common across the Elba hotels group then why would we bother trying another one somewhere else? A real shame.

It was a lovely hotel it was a bit out of the way we had to get a taxi to all places as it was to far of a walk we went with teenagers and I wouldn't recommend it for them as there was very little entertainment but I would highly recommend it for older people, couples or couples with younger children as there was a great children's pool the breakfast was excellent many options the staff were extremely friendly and helpful

We arrived to the Elba to a suite room 520 / beautiful suite but the most horrific odour.I commented on this to the receptionist Jamila the following morning and we were changed to another suite on the right side over the bar.I can honestly say that this is a very disappointing 5 star and as yet has to meet expectations.We had stayed in a 4 star elsewhere en route to our arrival here before and the quality of the food in the buffet was 200% better. The hotel itself is nice if not dated at this stage.Service around the pool was very good if you are on All inclusive as I was.The buffet in the restaurant is to be avoided,it lacks variety and is too repetitive and boring although the manager is lovely.The restaurant à la carte is lovely on the terrace as is the spa.This so called 5 star does not justify the prices but I have to commend Jamila on reception for all her help.I would not recommend here if you are looking for a 5 × experience,

This hotel has many good points. The reception staff were really good - one of the best welcomes I’ve had! There were plenty of staff on hand ready to help without being too ‘in your face’. The lobby and lounge area is great with lovely views of the sea. The decor in the hotel in general is not ultra modern but it does have character and is generally well maintained. The pool area is great and clean. The self service restaurant is very good with excellent options both at breakfast and evening meal. Prices are competitive too. The rooms are good although we had poor AirCon in both rooms - our only negative point. The views are excellent on the seaward side as it is on the beachfront.