With the exception of Tenerife I usually tend to holiday places only once, preferring to try new…read moreplaces rather than return to ones I have already visited. I have been to torremolinos twice now though and a large part of the reasoning behind that is this wonderful hotel (Sol Principe).
This hotel is situated alongside the beach of Playa mar approximately 2km outside the city of torremolinos. It is served by Malaga airport which is a little over 4 miles away and takes only a 15 minute transfer by coach to reach.
On approach to this hotel the first thing that caught my eye was the size of the grounds it stood in but it soon became apparent why. This hotel is actually part of a complex which includes as well as the hotel itself the Apartments Sol Principito, a fairly large private car park, a sports area, gardens, a supermarket and of course the pools.
The hotel has 623 rooms over 10 floors; I was on the 9th floor with an outstanding sea view. The rooms themselves have a rather large living area which through an arch leads to a smaller sleeping area, just of the living area is a small space sectioned of as a kitchen which has a fridge and the usual very basic two rings, a grill and a microwave to cook with. As I was all inclusive thankfully I had no real use for the cooking facilities which were the one poor part of what the hotel had to offer.
The rooms all have air conditioning which with temperatures reaching the high 90`s throughout my stay I was well glad of. They also have a telephone and cable TV. All rooms are non smoking which as a non smoker made no difference to me but as some of the party I travelled with were smokers they moaned a bit about having to go out on to the balcony to smoke. The maid service is daily and is also very good; the cleanliness of the rooms was outstanding. Each room also has its own safe which you need to pay a small amount for on arrival.
The facilities consist of three large outdoor pools set in beautiful surroundings and one indoor pool, tennis courts, shopping arcade with boutiques, gift shop, a Hairdresser, a Supermarket, Public phone booths, an internet cafe, Laundry service and a very helpful 24 hour front desk. There is also a great programme run daily for the kids which not only keeps them entertained but also active whilst allowing the adults to soak up the rays and relax.
The restaurants and bars are another large part of what makes this hotel so good. The main restaurant offers a beautiful sea view and hot and cold buffet style breakfasts lunches and main meals. There are also two smaller cafe`s which offer snacks and set menus. Then there is divania, a coffee shop by day and bar by night with an orchestra and a dance floor. Bar El Turco have either live bands or a dj at nights. Alcazaba Hall is where the hotel hosts its family shows, it also has a bar and sweets and soft drinks machines for the kids. All entertainment is advertised outside the bars and includes a good day time entertainment programme for the kids. One of the favourites with the kids during my stay was the bam bam club set around the Flintstones cartoons this was for 5-10 year olds but there was also based on the same theme the baby rock club for the younger members.
Being that we were all inclusive we ate in the hotel most nights and mornings and I can tell you that their choice of foods and quality of foods were as good as the rest of what the hotel had to offer. (vegetarians catered for).
Other activities include archery, shooting, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, aerobic; keep fit and aqua aerobics, bowls and darts. There is also available at an extra cost sports such as sailing, windsurf, water ski, horseback riding and golf. As well as all that for the adults there are tennis lessons and a huge play park for the kids.
The hotel is well placed between lots of the attractions torremolinos and the rest of the Costa has to offer, you can catch a coach from virtually right outside the door of the hotel which will take you to any of these local attractions for a very small cost.
THE ATTRACTIONS!
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Tivoli Fun Park
Aqua Park
Plaza Mayor (Town square)
Selwo Aquarium
Selwo Zoo
Crocodile farm
Picasso Museum
There is also a coach available from right outside the hotel which will take you on the coastal tour along the very impressive Costa del Sol front. Most of the attractions and coach tours can be booked from within the hotel but you can also just go to the bus stop spur of the moment and catch the coach and pay at the doors of all these attractions.
Back to the hotel itself and on to the cost. Obviously I booked this as most people would as a package holiday; it was booked through Thomas cook and cost £725 all inclusive per adult for a fortnight. That was the cost the last time I visited which was just over 2 years ago now, whilst not the cheapest holiday available it was no where near the most expensive and was worth every penny in my view.
