Gran Hotel Sol y Mar

We stayed as a couple on a bed & breakfast basis for two nights (Monday/Tuesday). This was the first of four hotels we stayed at during a week's visit to Spain (finishing in Barcelona) and it was by far and away the best of the bunch. On arrival we were unexpectedly upgraded for free to a suite on the top floor, with an additional bedroom and an enormous roof terrace. The bathroom was large and contained both a walk-in shower and a shower over bath. The water pressure in the standalone shower was quite poor, but the one over the bath was absolutely fine. The suite was spotless and tastefully decorated. The air conditioning unit was efficient and easy to use and unobtrusive in terms of noise. The location of the hotel is excellent, with a pool overlooking the beach. The pool itself isn't suited for anything other than very light swimming due to its variable depth and various steps in and out of the pool, but it is perfectly constructed for lounging about in, which is indeed what the great majority of guests were doing! The breakfast was simply superb: a great range of continental and cooked options, and everything was fresh and of high quality. This was among the best breakfast buffets we have sampled at any all-inclusive hotel in the Mediterranean. We would not hesitate to recommend staying in this hotel and would happily return.

We recently stayed at the Gran Sol y Mar for a week's break and frankly this hotel made our holiday. We arrived late in the evening and we were still greeted with a smile and efficient explanation of the hotel and layout. It was my partner's birthday when we arrived and the hotel staff had identified that. Our first experience of the hotel was to then discover we had been given a complimentary upgrade from a sea view to an executive room as a birthday gift. Everything we experienced thereafter maintained the highest quality standards. Set right on a beautiful stretch of beach, sea facing rooms have private balconies providing a view of the coast surrounding Calpe. The rooms are of a good size with large comfortable beds, a choice of pillow types and excellent clean and well appointed en suite bathrooms. The curtains are blackout style and once drawn completely shut out light so the early sunrise doesn't wake you. Open them all and you are presented with stunning views of the beach. There is a private pool and lounge area right onn the beach. It does get busy and although the infinity pool is slightly smaller than some a little research before booking let's you know what to expect and it does not detract from your stay. The staff in the Sol y Mar were truly excellent. From the moment we arrived late in the evening to our checkout they were without exception friendly, cheerful and approachable. We don't speak Spanish particularly well and even so they were always willing to accommodate requests and always professional. The hotel interior is fresh and modern in style, with a unique and relaxing scent permanently diffused into the main reception area. There is a lift in the reception area directly into a supermarket underneath the hotel, which is really convenient for any shopping. The breakfast area is large and comfortable with ample seating. Even at the height of busy attendance at breakfast the wait was a short one, the staff in that area operating almost military precision and still maintaining that friendly and approachable manner. Breakfast itself was buffet style, but with a choice wider than we have ever encountered. From yoghurt and cereals, through salads and fish, to cooked meats, beans, eggs and freshly made omelettes, cold meats, cheeses and a selection of pastries, the variety is immense. Finally if you want it instead of fresh coffee there are also both Buck's Fizz and Bloody Mary stations included. In addition to all of this there is a relentless supply of complimentary gifts in the room from chocolates to waterproof phone cases and this is replicated throughout the hotel. There is fresh fruit in reception, chocolates when you order a drink and a complimentary breakfast station if you happen to check out before breakfast is served. Overall our stay in Calpe was made a thoroughly enjoyable one thanks to the Sol y Mar and its staff; the unusual hotel indeed.

We have just got back from a 10 day stay at this hotel. The room was lovely and big but the view was not good we were above the entrance facing the building opposite - you could see the sea but you had to look for it. The bed was amazingly comfortable and the room was nice and dark. Breakfast was good with a lot of choice but we have had better in similar hotels. The pool area was so crammed we didn’t bother with it - there was no space to move the beds - I really think the hotel should have less beds so that it is more comfortable for the people that are there. The beach is right next to the hotel- but you pay 5E for each bed and the umbrella- I do think the hotel should have either their own beds on the beach for their guests or an agreement so guests do not have to pay so much for them. It really wasn’t a bad hotel but we probably wouldn’t return.