Hotel Helios Costa Tropical

23 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Accommodation

Location

Date of travel

October, 2015

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Husband

Reasons for trip

Relaxation

Saga’s brochure listed two hotels in this area, after some research on line we chose to book this hotel as it was on the seafront of the resort.

We were very impressed with its position, right on the promenade of the bay and so very easy for flat walking in either direction. The design was quite clever with all its rooms having a balcony with sea view although, facing the building, the rooms on the right hand side had a more restricted view because of the close proximity of the building next door. Nevertheless, these rooms had the morning sun until mid-afternoon and overlooked the swimming pool immediately below. We understand from other visitors that the rooms on the other side had afternoon and evening sun but because they were alongside the road where the entrance and reception area was there was constant noise and fumes from coaches serving guests arrivals and departures. Some guests allocated rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors asked to be moved higher up and there were 9 floors in total.

The rooms were simple, spacious and well appointed and kept spotlessly clean with fresh towels every day.

The reception and lounge areas were tidy but often crowded because of the daily turnaround of visitors. Apparently there were several flights a day and so a constant coming and going of visitors and this affected the wait for lifts on many occasions with luggage being transported to and from rooms by porters as well as guests making their way up or down.

The bar area was on the ground floor with terraces out to the seafront and to the side by the swimming pool and this was busiest in the evenings and was where the entertainment took place, (music most evenings).

The restaurant was on a lower level and therefore had no views out at all. The tables were very close together and all meals were buffet style with central heated cabinets and freshly cooked orders to one side. There were two sittings and a lot of pushing around trying to get to the items you wanted, then some difficulty in getting back to your table with full plates with chairs and people milling around. The noise level too got higher and higher, so much so that it was difficult to hold a conversation. This was a shame because the quality of the food was very good and it rather spoiled the dining experience. I have to say the staff did an excellent job in clearing items away quickly and with such charm and smiles.

The smallish swimming pool was very clean but not set within gardens just a mural poster along the wall which was effective. There was a bubble spa and a small children’s pool and sun beds around the edges. On the 10th top floor of the hotel there was a beautiful terrace overlooking the whole bay but disappointingly, although the hotel was full in October there was no bar operating up there and one had to carry drinks up in the lift from the ground floor. Also there was a beauty salon and 2nd spa pool which was also closed in October and many of the Saga guests would have liked to take advantage of this.

Jasper

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