We stayed at the Hotel Tropico Playa 23 Sep - 7 Oct 2011.
I was expecting it to be easy to find faults with this hotel, given my research from reviews on places such as Holidaytruths and Trip Advisor, but in reality the only major point that detracts from a regular 3 star offering, is the lack of a TV in the bedroom.
From speaking to other guests, much also depends on which room you are allocated. The ones at the side and rear didn’t appear to be as well received as our room was.
The hotel is centrally located in Palmanova, opposite the central beach.
Check in is easy, all receptionists speak good English.
The pool area is very much on the small side, however, we was aware of this when booking, so no great surprises for us. The pool area is locked until 9.30am, so no sunbed reserving took place. By going down at 9.25 and waiting for them to open, we always got a sunbed. One end of the pool gets the sun from opening until the shadow starts creeping over from 2 pm ish. By 3.30 the whole area is in shade.
The other end of the pool is mostly shaded, although different spots are sunny as the day goes by.
The pool bar is staffed efficiently by Lola, open from 10am – 6 pm. All drinks available, snacks consist of sandwiches and crisps, popcorn, cakes in the afternoon. There’s also a self service coffee machine.
The access to the pool is via a TV area, full range of UK channels via a Sky box, inc Sky Sports. Many were watching Jeremy Kyle in the mornings!
We were located in the main block, on the 5th floor, which is effectively the top floor, as the floor above isn’t used. Only one small lift available, but never seemed a problem, as there are only about 10 rooms per floor, never had to wait long for the lift.
The room was a typically sized hotel room, no surprises.
I’d have said that the room has had a makeover within the last 2 years, paint still appeared fresh, white grout on the tiles was still ‘white’. Maid service was good, room was clean, regular towel and sheet changes.
Large safe located in the wardrobe, €18 a week to hire, €6 deposit. Fridge also available to hire, €15 per week.
The view from the balcony was superb, panoramic views across the bay.
Also stunning sunrises on offer every day if you are up early enough! Well worth getting up to see in my opinion.
The hotel is all inclusive, and I found that the food offered was of a reasonable quality, in keeping with most Spanish 3 * hotels I have stayed in. There are only so many ways that a 3* hotel can present a cooked breakfast, but for the other meals there was a varied selection. It seemed that sometimes you fancied a bit of everything on offer, other times you wouldn’t fancy anything. Roast beef with proper Yorkshire Puddings one night, Liver, Bacon & Onions another night of particular note. Hot Mussels in White wine one or two lunchtimes.
The food could have been served a bit hotter IMO, and the lack of a microwave is a minus point for me.
I also feel that a selection of fresh bread could be offered, rather than just bread rolls.
The size of the restaurant is small, but it’s a small hotel, only once or twice did we need to wait a few minutes for a table.
I quite enjoyed the jovial way the hotel is run. The dining room experience is quite Fawlty Towers at times, - on purpose. Gail, playing Polly, when informed that the Sangria had run out, told me “Well I don’t drink it so I’m not bothered!” Miguel, effectively the Maitre’D, one day announced, “People, there is a queue, so please eat quickly!”
On the whole the hotel was clean with efficient staff, and in my opinion represented a good value for money option for holidaymakers.
Others that had stayed before the All Inclusive came in this year, said that it was better before. I can’t comment on that.
Perhaps the downfall of an all inclusive hotel that offers competitive prices, is that it attracts groups of people that are seemingly on a mission to drink the hotel dry. We had a couple of groups of males 30 – 50 ages, stay for about 4 day ‘benders’, so relaxing quietly by the pool wasn’t quite achieved whilst they were being boisterous. Not rude or unruly though.
I would go again in if the deal was good.
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Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:50 am
