Gran Palas Hotel Spa incluido

We’ve just returned from a 10 night stay at the Grand Palas Hotel, and we had a wonderful stay. The rooms are spacious, spotless and stylishly modern, each one with a private balcony which was handy for drying towels. They’re also designed in a way to avoid noise from other guests so it was nice and quiet. The outdoor pool areas are brilliant, with plenty of sun loungers available at all times. There’s a great selection of activities too – padel, pétanque, basketball, ping pong and exercise classes. Equipment was always easy to find, and the atmosphere was so relaxed and laid back. We ended up spending all our days by the pool and didn’t feel the need to visit the beach once even though it was right there. The pool bar was excellent, with a great range of branded drinks (like Absolut, Beefeater and Ballantine’s) all included in the all inclusive package. If you’re travelling with a baby, like we were, there’s a lovely shaded area under the trees by the pool which we really appreciated. The restaurant is sleek and modern with a wide variety of fresh, delicious food to choose from. As someone who is gluten free, I was incredibly well looked after – a member of staff would walk me through each dish to let me know what was safe, and gluten free pasta and bread were available on request. The staff throughout the hotel were consistently warm, friendly and helpful. A special mention must go to a few standout team members. In the entertainment team, Alejandro really goes above and beyond to include everyone in the many daily activities and games. His cheerful energy was infectious and it was a joy to see how much the kids adored him during the mini disco. Even in 34 degree heat, he was full of enthusiasm, always smiling, and would happily jump into a game of padel or ping pong if an extra player was needed. He is a true credit to the hotel. Alice and Simon were also fantastic – they ran their sessions like morning fitness and aqua gym with great energy and engagement, and always made guests feel welcome. In the restaurant, Laura and Monica stood out for their friendly and professional manner. Despite how busy they were, they always made time to chat with guests and help with any questions about the food. Most of the hotel guests were French, with many others being Spanish, so the activities tended to be run in French – but we still had lots of fun and found that most staff could speak English well enough to help with anything we needed. If we had to give any feedback at all, it would be that the towels in the rooms were a bit small and thin, hough the bathrobes were a lovely touch. We had a truly special break and would love to return one day.

Great hotel with an excellent restaurant, generously sized pools, and outstanding service. ** This was our third visit, and once again, we had a wonderful experience. For those who’ve never been, there are two main pool areas—one featuring two slides, entertainment, and a pool bar, and another that’s quieter, perfect for those who prefer a more relaxing vibe. The first couple of days are always a bit bumpy for us when settling in. For example, two years ago we were given twin beds after requesting a double, then last year, check-in took longer than expected and unfortunately we missed dinner. This year, the pool bar didn’t serve food for a couple of days due to a menu review. But despite these minor hiccups, the staff have consistently been friendly, solution-oriented, and incredibly helpful. In response to earlier critical reviews from returning guests—yes, things have changed a little. Yes, there has been a business merger, and perhaps that’s why it’s busier during high season. But the level of service and offerings remain excellent! A special shout-out to the staff members who truly made our stay memorable. At the restaurant, Monica, Eva, and Pascual welcomed us each day with genuine warmth. Even during a full house over the weekend, they managed to make our dinners exceptional. The chef continues to serve delicious meals made from freshly sourced ingredients. Alejandro and Valentina brought energy and fun to the pool and evening activities. Thanks to their hard work and sense of humor, we found ourselves joining in—something we normally shy away from. It was great fun! We also appreciated how they continued speaking Spanish after the merger with Club Marmara, while thoughtfully translating everything into fluent French and English. They made every guest—adults and kids alike—feel special and included. Reception staff ensured smooth communication between restaurants, bars, and security to optimize the guest experience. At the bar, special thanks to Liviu, Roger, and Alex for crafting the best cocktails. Yuli and Teo made us feel so at home that we didn’t bother going out—we ended up having lunch daily at the cozy and convenient Lotus Bar. Yuli also makes the best espresso! Lastly, gracias to the cleaning team. We had fresh sheets every day, and they worked quietly, always greeting us with beautiful smiles whenever we crossed paths. The room was consistently neat and tidy when we returned. We will definitely return—and highly recommend this place.

Disappointing Stay – Not a 5-Star Experience We stayed at Hotel Gran Palas Experience in La Pineda expecting a relaxing, high-end getaway, but sadly, the overall experience did not reflect the hotel’s 5-star rating. Check-in was chaotic – our reservation made through Booking.com couldn’t be found at first, and when they eventually located it, we were checked in under a completely different name and even our room card key had other guests name. This is not only unprofessional but also a serious breach of guest privacy. The room was underwhelming – very basic in style, with low-quality amenities that didn’t reflect the standard advertised. There was no pillow menu, no clear information about room service, and the QR code provided never worked. The spa was the only redeeming element – the facilities were nice and well-maintained, though I’ve visited better spas in hotels with fewer stars. Still, it offered a bit of the relaxation we came for. Bar service was particularly disappointing. The staff didn’t seem trained for 5-star service, and the cocktails were poor quality. A piña colada made with syrup instead of real coconut cream says it all. Breakfast was another letdown. The buffet offered cold food, cheap industrial pastries, and extremely limited options for guests with dietary needs – not even proper gluten-free bread was available. It felt more like a budget hotel breakfast than a luxury one. Overall, this hotel has potential but is let down by poor service, poorly trained staff, lack of attention to detail, and facilities that do not meet 5-star standards. We were very disappointed since we expected a totally different experience for a 5 star hotel. We wouldn’t return, nor recommend it unless major improvements are made.