MS Amaragua Hotel

Visited for business Not a perfect beach view, but not bad Seems like a fairly old luxury hotel Public transportation is limited to a bus stop within a 4-6 minute walk There are some restaurants nearby, but you have to go to Torremolinos Centro for Asian-style food Internet is slow Breakfast and dinner included (the food is decent) Staff are very friendly Seems like one of the reasons the rooms are fully booked

UPDATE FOLLOWING THE HOTEL'S RESPONSE: The hotel's response omits a crucial detail: the wristbands that ultimately allowed accredited guests to access the festival directly from inside the MS Amaragua were not provided from the start. This measure was adopted later, after numerous complaints from guests precisely about the access system I described in this review. Therefore, presenting the wristbands now as part of the "appropriate measures" implemented for guests may give a misleading impression of what actually happened. During the first part of the event, guests staying at the Amaragua had to leave the hotel and access the festival grounds from the outside. It was only after complaints that this situation was changed, and access was permitted inside using wristbands. The explanation that this system was implemented because the festival's main hotel was the MS Tropicana and the Paseo Marítimo access point was the "closest and most convenient" is also unconvincing. There is an internal connection between the MS Tropicana and the MS Amaragua, but the hotel itself closed this passage after a certain time. As a result, guests of the Tropicana also lost the option of using the shortest internal route to reach the event venues. If the goal had truly been to facilitate access from the MS Tropicana, the logical solution would have been to keep that internal connection open during the festival activities, not close it and force guests to use the external route. I appreciate that, finally, after complaints, a solution was found using wristbands. This demonstrates that it was possible to allow safe and controlled internal access, which is exactly what we requested from the beginning. Therefore, I stand by the content of my original review. ----- I stayed at the MS Amaragua Hotel from October 1st to 5th to attend the Afro Festival Costa del Sol. After checking in and once the festival had already begun, we were informed that guests participating in the event could not access the workshop and party venues from inside the hotel. Access had to be exclusively through the external entrances located on the seafront promenade. This measure means that every time I want to go from the festival activities to my room or return to the event, I have to leave the hotel completely and walk around outside, even at night. Besides being inconvenient, I believe it reduces guest safety and poses an additional difficulty for people with reduced mobility. This restriction was not communicated before I made the reservation or before our arrival. Had I known about it in advance, I could have taken it into account when deciding where to stay. Disadvantages: unnecessary travel on public roads, especially at night; reduced sense of security; difficulties for guests with reduced mobility; lost time between activities; and exposure to rain, wind, or other weather conditions. I request that, for the remaining days of the festival, properly accredited guests be allowed access to the event venues from inside the hotel, and that a written explanation be provided regarding the reason for this restriction.

The hotel has a great location, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating during our stay. Unfortunately, one issue significantly marred our otherwise positive impression. A large festival was taking place at the hotel during our stay, which, according to the hotel, is an annual event. It's all the more baffling, then, that there was no indication of this festival during our stay, either when booking or on the hotel website. The festival itself was beautiful to watch and not the main problem. The problem was that it completely changed the atmosphere in the hotel. It was very noisy at night, with people partying in the hallways and even in some of the rooms, showing little consideration for other guests. We were woken up practically every night. This made it anything but the relaxing vacation we had booked and paid for. The quality of breakfast also noticeably declined from the start of the festival. The selection and attention to detail were reduced: yogurt, for example, was now only offered in large bowls, and açai, fresh berries, and fresh mango were suddenly unavailable. The price for our stay, of course, remained the same. I find it particularly disappointing that I've since read in older reviews that other guests have apparently already raised the same issue. If the festival takes place every year and the hotel is aware of it, I believe it should be clearly indicated at the time of booking. Then each guest can decide for themselves whether they want to stay there during that period. A belated apology is not enough for me. We paid for a relaxing hotel stay and were unable to sleep properly for several nights due to the noise. At the same time, the breakfast offerings were reduced. I would therefore consider it appropriate if the hotel offered its affected guests some form of compensation, either financially or otherwise. It's a real shame, because the location and staff actually deserved a very good rating.

Our experience was wonderful in every way. Perfect accommodations. Special decor in the common areas. Splendid meals. I especially want to highlight the excellent dining room staff; I remember the ham carver, who was both skilled and friendly. As for the pool area, it has everything. A great atmosphere and attentive service on the terrace. We highly recommend this hotel.

I find the price of a bottle of water outrageous! €4.50 for a 33cl bottle of water is exorbitant. We all know hotels are expensive, but honestly, paying that much for water is highway robbery! I'm never coming back!

I have chosen this hotel because it is the hotel hosting the Afro Festival Costa del Sol but a last-minute change took away the convenience I’ve booked for. The reason for me to choose this hotel way because the parties take place in the hotel's own rooms. Only after check-in, with the festival already under way, I were told that the only access is through the exterior doors on the seafront promenade, with no access through the hotel interior. Every time I go to my room I have to leave the building and walk around the block, including at night, when many of us feel less safe on the street. It is also hard for anyone with reduced mobility. I was not informed before booking or arriving, and this is the first time we've had this restriction. An interior access for guests with a festival pass would solve it easily. We have also filed an official complaint. We hope management reconsiders right away. Otherwise next tear I will not stay in this hotel.

Good location, but a last-minute change took away the convenience we booked for. We stayed at the hotel for the Afro Festival Costa del Sol, whose workshops and parties take place in the hotel's own rooms. Only after check-in, with the festival already under way, we were told that the only access is through the exterior doors on the seafront promenade, with no access through the hotel interior. Every time we go to our room we have to leave the building and walk around the block, including at night, when many of us feel less safe on the street. It is also hard for anyone with reduced mobility. We were not informed before booking or arriving, and this is the first time we've had this restriction. An interior access for guests with a festival pass would solve it easily. We have also filed an official complaint.

I came for a dance event, I chose this hotel because it's the event's hotel, and then they close access to the event rooms for hotel guests, forcing people to go out into the street and take a huge detour to get to the event parties. It's really stupid. If they don't want the event at the hotel, they shouldn't host it, but they shouldn't deceive people. Horrible.

Very friendly and courteous service. Spotless room. Excellent breakfast and dinner buffet.