Iberostar Selection Andalucia Playa

To start with, thank you to Aleandro Torrens, the reception desk manager at our check out who was the rudest possible person we met during our 2 weeks stay in Spain. He was a highlight of rudeness impolite behaviour, arrogantand uselessness too, If this wasn't for him, marking with a despicable attitude our check out (he refused to store our suitcases in a secured manner and was as. Pleasant as a prison door, I had to call in the assistant GM) Otherwise we would have had a very good stay, but we saw a clear lower service level in this 5* Iberostar vs the 4* Iberostar Waves Málaga, here personnel was less attentive, much less reactive at the restaurant, table cleaning would not be prompt, they wouldnt tend tables to ask for wine order, we would need to ask for a 3rd plate to be set our a 4 people table, as well the lunch and pool restaurant would often run out of half what was on the menu, from Nachos to Gnocchi, to desserts, not a day without something not available, we would even ask before ordering, and they would come 5mns latter saying that "this as well as ran out". However, the rooms were quiet and comfy, ours had an espresso machine inside. A bath tub in the large bathroom, but soap and amenities weren't of a top brand as you would expect in a 5*. The food was in general superior in quality to any other Iberostar we stayed in, their all inclusive offer was worth it, from meats to fish the Selection and cooking were good to excellent, if it wasn't for the lunch options limited on some days. Wines were good and their main lobby bar doing good (and real) cocktails with time Alcools (Cardhu 12 years, Havana club 7 years,..) included in the offer, so was our room mini bar, which wasn't replenished daily, another service faux pas. They have a tiny indoor spa pool, a good fall back when weather is bad as it happened that week. The smallest out of the 2 main pools was heated, around 23 or 24c and was swimmable despite the air temperature on the lower 20s, the side pools are reserved for the rooms directly connected to it and are worth staying in only during high summer days, the main pool is gigantic and far enough. The beach is accessible from the hotel and definitely deserves a visit. Gorgeous! Parking wise, the streets around are free, but often full, the hotel is charging 15e a night in their underground parking, if you cant find a spot outside. Albeit this venue is listed as IHG member, there is no status recognition whatsoever, don't expect any upgrade, nor the said welcome points or welcome gifts stated on Iberostar website, while we booked here because it is part of the IHG agreement. All in all an excellent hotel but that deserves better staff, that like to work in an upscale venue. The one we saw during our week here were way under the competence of their Málaga waves colleagues, who didn't stop smiling a minute, here we seemed sometime to bother them just by our presence. Pity