Magic Aqua Rock Gardens

“Very busy lively resort”

We had a great family holiday at magic rock. This is our 3rd time being here. Points to note - Pros - You don’t usually get a balcony but we did this time, I didn’t know this was an option as the website states they don’t have balconies and we’ve never had one before. This was a lovely surprise a… more

We had a great family holiday at magic rock. This is our 3rd time being here. Points to note - Pros - You don’t usually get a balcony but we did this time, I didn’t know this was an option as the website states they don’t have balconies and we’ve never had one before. This was a lovely surprise as when we returned to the room for siesta I sat on the sun lounger on the balcony to read my book while the kids chilled. rooms are spacious but there was only 1 bathroom so took a while for us all to shower each night. Maid cleans every day. There is a mini fridge in the room so we kept after sun and some bottled water in for night times. The lifeguards round the pool are very attentive but this also meant no inflatables / balls allowed in the pool. The slides need a refurb they look old and worn. The white slides have a lot of air time so you can hear everyone’s back SLAMMING when they come down. Most people only go on this slide once LOVE the swim up pool bar - although the lengthy queue and cup tokens brings the rating down. Location - right in middle of Benidorm so plenty to explore. Just by the beach - we didn’t go as far too hot for us. (Although hotel is at the top of a big hill so people with mobility problems would struggle) not far from Benidorm strip nightlife if you fancy exploring! Although it is a big tourist area so lots of people trying to sell you things along the beach. McDonald’s and Burger King at bottom of the hill. My children specifically enjoyed the arcades in the hotel main reception, which weren’t too expensive. A euro and prize every time send the kids with some money and they enjoy some shade and air con in the midday heat. There is a new games room too. The entertainment is brilliant - poolside magic carpet , aqua aerobics, circus, darts, pool, lots more , evening there is an animal show, tribute acts, although the music can be very noisy we had to stand near the outside door as was hurting our ears, and gets very overcrowded. Pool side snack bar all day for all inclusive - kids loved it, burgers, chips, salad, doughnuts, help yourself to ice creams, milkshakes in the fridge , self serve soft drinks and beer. Staff can be abrupt in there but understandably they must get sick if dealing with a wet floor when people come in soaking wet from the pool. Make sure you are dry, dressed and wear shoes. Cons - food very repetitive, queuing to get a sun bed when the pool opens, hardly any sun due to large buildings surrounding the hotel, maybe 2 -3 hours of sun, this also makes the pool really cold I hardly swam in it but kids enjoyed it, long queues at the bar, hate the cup token system!! I understand they are trying to help the environment but it is frustrating. You have to buy cup tokens, 1 euro per cup, so for our family it was 5 euros, which you take to the bar to exchange it for cups. You ask for your drink but then once you’ve drank it if you leave the empty cup by the sun bed (we left ours underneath hidden) they get cleaned away by staff, and when you ask you get told you have to buy more tokens. And these can only be purchased at main reception which you have to be dry and dressed for, was always heaving so queued for half an hour for some cups!! Stupid system. I must have spent 15 euros on cups this trip. Cocktails are the bottled pre mixed ones so don’t taste very nice and get very repetitive after a few days. The lifts are crap , can be waiting ages, and if you’ve never been before prepare to get lost 100 times - certain lifts only go to certain floors but once you figure it out it’s fine. Overall we had a great holiday but I’m not sure we would be back again.

less

“Family holiday”

Just got back the hotel was clean check in was slow we were the only people checking in at the time it took around 30 minutes room wasn't ready, we had a superior family room with pool view there were two double beds pushed together and a small sofa a wardrobe but there was no space for four cases … more

Just got back the hotel was clean check in was slow we were the only people checking in at the time it took around 30 minutes room wasn't ready, we had a superior family room with pool view there were two double beds pushed together and a small sofa a wardrobe but there was no space for four cases the room was small for a family of four,there was plenty of restaurants we never had any trouble finding seat's and plenty of choice pool was ok got busy but did get sunbeds we went down to beach most days,drinks ok but don't forget to get your tokens for plastic cups which you need around pool area, and remember its on a very steep hill we used the other road up its slightly longer but not as steep would i go back yes

less

“So many rules”

The hotel is very clean, cannot fault whatsoever. Entertainment staff- especially Carl was very energetic! Bar staff apart from a small few, were very rude and service seemed to be an inconvenience. Information boards flash too quickly, had to read what's on. Food extremely repetitive, and absol… more

The hotel is very clean, cannot fault whatsoever. Entertainment staff- especially Carl was very energetic! Bar staff apart from a small few, were very rude and service seemed to be an inconvenience. Information boards flash too quickly, had to read what's on. Food extremely repetitive, and absolutely no allergy information - speaking to the chef in a busy environment was not assuring. Our son has a fatal allergy to peanut, we were advised that the chips were the only safe thing for him. So all inclusive and he had chips all week in the hotel and we had to pay to feed him out everyday. Even the ice-cream was not safe. Very disappointing! Recycling of cups is a good Idea in theory - but does not allow you relax at all whilst around the pool. You would still be doing your bit for the planet using the cups and allowing people to get them whenever - my sinical side would suggest it's more about not employing extra staff to clean those spaces as much! Sunbed monitor - I left my lounger for 20mins whilst doing activities in the pool- I came back to a letter saying I needed to leave that space, as I had left too long. I have never known a hotel with so many rules, the whistle going off every second. We only booked this resort for the slides for our son- all dangerous, particularly the white one- my husband hurt his neck very badly and my son who loves slides, was scared of them and would not go on again, as he hurt himself on all but the green. So no slides or food for him. All in all would not return, apart from the cleanliness and location ( near the beach ) certainly not worth the money that we spent.

less

“Decent place but wouldn’t go again”

Reception staff are nice and helpful. Staff in the restaurant are nice but the bar staff are rude. Talking amongst themselves acting like you are inconvenience asking for something. Ignorant and rude Entertainment staff are nice but most are Spanish and prefer to speak in Spanish. One guy, wi… more

Reception staff are nice and helpful. Staff in the restaurant are nice but the bar staff are rude. Talking amongst themselves acting like you are inconvenience asking for something. Ignorant and rude Entertainment staff are nice but most are Spanish and prefer to speak in Spanish. One guy, wish I had got his name, is awesome. Fab. Well done him. Curly hair and totally got the kids engaged. Rooms are clean and decent. Missed having a balcony though. None of them have one. Pool facilities fine Food is ok but a bit ‘samey’ Lifts are a problem. Lots of them and working but so small cannot cope with the number of people needing them. We ended up using the stairs and were grateful we were only on the second floor! So if you have mobility issues this possibly not the place for you. I appreciate we were in Spain but this hotel is full of Spanish holiday makers. Rude Spanish holiday makers. I like to embrace the culture of the country but they were just inconsiderate and disrespectful. Not the hotel’s fault but worth considering when booking. Lastly to get the beach you have a massive hill from the hotel!

less