Playacálida Spa Hotel: My review after staying: pros and cons

If I talk to you about an arab style palace located on the top of a cliff, with panoramic views to the Mediterranean and a lazy river surrounded by palm trees, maybe you think that I am sending you to Tunisia. But no, we are in Almuñecar (Granada).

The Playacálida Spa Hotel is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular hotels on the andalusian coast to go with children. And I do not say it just to say it: its great success is having understood that parents also need to rest, creating a masterful separation between the “noise and fun” zones and the “absolute peace” zones.

After staying here, I come to tell you the whole truth about its facilities, how to survive the parking and why its rooms are perfect for large families.

My quick opinion after staying

I give it a resounding 9,5/10 . In fact, it is in my “Top 3” of family hotels. It stands out for its careful decoration and, above all, for the spaciousness of its spaces, which avoids that feeling of agglomeration typical of the big resorts in the middle of august. It is the perfect balance: your children can be screaming with emotion on the slides, while you are having a drink in an infinity pool that seems to merge with the sea.

The best and the worst (Pros and Cons)

Two water worlds: The Infinity Pool vs. The Jungle

What works best in the Playacálida is the distribution of its exteriors. You have six pools in total, divided into two “worlds”:

• The relax zone (focused on the parents): it is amazing. An immense overflowing pool where it seems that you swim in the sea. Around there are loungers and VIP balinese beds , where you have a spectacular premium service with super attentive waiters that serve you directly from the beach bar. It is the ideal place to disconnect.
• The jungle (focused on the children): they have a lazy river with tropical jungle theming that connects several outdoor pools and jacuzzis. 3 slides ideal for children up to 10 years old. Does a teenager get bored? Not at all! I myself had a great time. The whole lazy river zone gives a lot of play for the older children to start playing tag and be entertained for hours.
• For the little ones: the kids club has its own little pool that barely covers and is full of toys.

Rooms: The end of the problems for large families

If you are 4 or 5 in the family, you will know the torture that it is to find a room where you do not have to sleep piled up or pay two separate rooms. Here they have hit the nail on the head. They have huge family rooms of 32m² where 2 adults and 3 children fit perfectly (using extra beds or sofa beds). They are very spacious, they are connected and, if you can choose, ask for one with views to the sea: waking up with that panoramic view has been of the best of my trips this year.

Gastronomy and al fresco Terraces

The buffet restaurant is huge, but what really makes you fall in love is its outdoor terrace . It is super well decorated and illuminated, and dining there at night al fresco, with the sea breeze, is a luxury.

• The food: very varied and delicious. I especially liked the meat zone, the station to prepare your salads to your liking and, above all, the pizzas (a sure hit with the children).
• For the afternoons: they have a super complete snack bar for snack time, ideal for when the little ones come out hungry from the pool.

The Senzia Spa and the Night Entertainment

The hotel counts with a huge spa (sauna, turkish bath, jet pools). It is super well decorated and has a great detail, they offer specific schedules to go as a family and exclusive schedules only for adults.

As for the entertainment , the hotel counts with a large theater. We went out of season and they used it to play good music to dance, but knowing the Senator chain, in high season they set up very high quality shows and spectacles , very focused on the whole family having a good time after dining.

Location, Parking and the “Challenge” of the Hill

Let’s go with the practical data that are going to save you from more than one headache:

• Going down to the beach: the beach is about 7 minutes walking. Going down is easy, but climbing the slope with the junk and the tired children is another story.
• The trick: In high season, the hotel usually puts a transfer service (a minibus) that makes continuous trips to take you down and up from the beach for free.
• Parking the car: in the zones immediately attached to the door of the hotel it can be difficult to find a spot.
• My advice: Move away a bit through the urbanization; at about 5 minutes walking you are going to find a safe spot. Mind you, once you park it, do not move it in the whole vacation!

My Honest Opinion

The Final Verdict

For whom do I recommend it?

Perfect For

• You have a large family (you are 5) and you want to sleep all in the same room with real space.
• You have children between 2 and 10 years old (although the older ones also enjoy it).
• You value having two separate environments : you want slides for your children, but you demand a quality chill-out zone for yourself.
• You look for spectacular views and you like to do hotel life without leaving the enclosure much.

Skip It If

• You look for a hotel where the beach sand begins at the door of your room (here there is a cliff).
• You go with a very tight budget (it is a 4 superior stars and it is paid).