Villa Guadalupe

Liked the view - Villa is on a hill and you can see the city and the ocean. Didn't like pretty much anything else. The 3-person room was tiny, with really steep and unsafe staircase leading to the attic area, where the 3rd bed was located. Our teen managed them, but they definitely would be treacherous for a younger child or an older adult. WiFi accessible only via special crazy long code, different for every device. We had to choose our breakfast at the time of check in and to commit to a specific time in the morning to get them. There was absolutely no food available during the day, and the hotel is really far from everything. Bathroom hand soap was just a jar of a cheap industrial stuff, etc, etc.

We stayed at the Villa Guadaloupe for one night, 29th October 2024. We chose it mainly for its proximity to the airport, its pretty great location, with THAT view, and the fact that it would have a bar and restaurant where we could relax ahead of our early flights the next day. It was our last night in Spain, after 15 nights on holiday in nice accommodation in Tarifa, Granada and Otivar. The drive to Malaga from Otivar, 45km away was through the teeth of the worst storm Ive ever experienced, so we were tired and stressed when we got there. On arrival we were told that the restaurant was closed tonight, but that there were plentiful nice restaurants a short car or taxi ride away.
Our booking was for a room with a balcony, with THE view, and was not cheap. After an adequate check in, during which we were swiftly advised that the restaurant was not open that night, we were shown to a far from adequate room. It had no balcony, and the view was of a large coconut tree and massive green hedge. When we brought this to the attention of the man who checked us in, he told us there was nothing he could do to help us chnage room, as the hotel was full. We asked to speak to the manager, but he was unavailable. When we asked to cancel our booking, we were told to take it up with Booking.com. I went out onto the impressive terrace to smoke, whilst my wife continued to try and resolve the situation. The Manager then appeared and helpfully changed our room to the fantastic one that we had paid for. He also advised that the restaurant is in fact open tonight. All is now good. Our son and his girlfriend are joining us for drinks, whilst they wait for their flight, and the sun comes out. Birds of prey fly about above our balcony, the whole of Malaga is spread out below us. After the scary day we had just had, it appeared to be ending well. Long story short, great building and location, but very poor service and food below the standard we expected for the price we paid. I'll leave it at that.

Actually, I won't.

We probably will stay there again, but would visit the restaurants and bars a taxi ride away. If only the manager had taken the time to sit at our dinner table and listen to our concerns, all would probably have been good. After the exemplary customer service in just about every other hotel we have stayed in throughout Spain, which is many, from Galicia and the Basque country, down through the interior, both sides of Madrid, down through Andalucia, its mountains and Costas, to Tarifa and the Costa de Luz, Villa Guadaloupe fell significantly below this standard, sadly.

THAT view though...