Petit Palace Puerta Del Sol, Madrid

Advantages: Friendly town with lots to do, a lovely holiday.
Disadvantages: If you steer clear of the 'English Bars' there are none

...COSTA DEL SOL Benalmadea Costa, I'm afraid I was always a bit of a 'travel snob' regarding the Costa del Sol. I envisaged the types of scene in TV's Benadorm, a type of Blackpool with sun. As members of a vacation club ( it was then Sunterra now Diamon Resorts) we had the opportunity for a weeks break for relatively few points at the Sahara Sunset in Benalmadea Costa, as we could get Easy Jet airfairs to Malaga for a very low price we decided to try it. We have been three times more since then - so needless to say I was not disappointed. Benalmadena is only 15 kilometers from Malaga Airport, car hire is easily obtainable but it is only 25 euros for a taxi from the airport and there are plenty of excursions and good public transport available in the resort. It is set on the Costa del Sol between... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Very close to the Puerta Del Sol and Gran Via.
Disadvantages: None

...I booked our short break through Expedia, who are always good at finding the best deals. Neither myself nor my husband had been to Madrid before, so we had no knowledge of the city at all. I researched the layout mapwise, to find out where the centre was regarding shopping, bars etc. The Puerta del Sol seemed as central as we could get. The hotel was on the Via Arenal, just off the square. On arrival we were greeted in good English by a very friendly receptionist and the check-in was smooth. The hotel was bright and modern. Not huge, but for a city centre it was big enough. There was a lift to all floors luckily, as we were on the 5th. Our room was large and airy. Satellite TV, air conditioning (a blessing in July), large double bed, plenty of storage and a wall safe. The bathroom was clean and roomy with one of those... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Plenty to do
Disadvantages: Noisy traffic

...I?ve just returned from a one-week holiday in Benalmadena in Costa Del Sol (June 2004) and would like to provide some information about Benalmadena Resort & Benalmadena Palace Apartments where we stayed. ****Benalmadena Palace Apartments**** Newly opened in February 2004, this Apart-Hotel has 4-Star rating. The coach transfer from Malaga Airport to the Hotel was only about 30 minutes and that included a drop off a one other hotel first. Facilities include Outdoors Pool & Children?s pool, Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi, Sauna, Games Rooms, Table Tennis, Gym (Which was well equipped) Pool Table. Bar. Children?s play area, Mini-Golf (although there were only 5 holes!) Cyber café. Some facilities were still being implemented, I don?t think the mini-golf was properly finished, and also Tennis Courts & 5-a-side football pitch were still under... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful