Hôtel Gala Placidia

"After reading some of the reviews and the weather report before we came we were a bit apprehensive. There was no need, we had seven days of sunshine and the hotel was great. If you’re looking for a good holiday on a budget this hotel ticks all the right boxes. The rooms were spotless, it’s in a great location, there are two pools and most of the staff are very friendly. The entertainment was a bit hit and miss but the karaoke night with Roberto was great fun. We were all inclusive, there was plenty of alcohol in the drinks and there was always something to eat. The soups and desserts were particularly good and the breakfast had everything you would want. I don’t understand the bad reviews. If you want luxury then you need to pay for it. If you’re looking for something more affordable that’s clean and friendly with plenty to choose from at mealtimes then this is the place for you. There were always sun loungers available and the hill you have to walk up is very short. I will definitely return."

"Gala Placidia Hotel, Benidorm – Our Experience Overall rating: 6/10 After spending several days at the Gala Placidia, I think it’s only fair to give an honest review covering both the positives and negatives. Cleanliness – Excellent One thing this hotel deserves real credit for is its cleanliness. The rooms, swimming pool area and toilets were absolutely spotless. The cleaning standards throughout were excellent, and we couldn’t fault that side of things. Rooms – Very Poor Soundproofing The walls must be some of the thinnest I’ve ever experienced in a hotel. You can hear virtually everything from neighbouring rooms. Unfortunately, some guests, particularly groups of younger British holidaymakers, seemed to have little consideration for others, playing loud music. Thankfully, the noise wasn’t too bad during the night while we were there, but the lack of soundproofing is definitely an issue. Food – A Mixed Bag Breakfast was probably the best meal of the day, with lunch generally being okay. Evening meals were disappointing on several occasions, although credit where it’s due, the Chinese-themed evening meal was actually very good. One consistent issue was the temperature of the food. It always seemed to be luke warm rather than properly hot. Another concerning observation was at the show-cooking station, where I witnessed the tattooed chef using what appeared to be a pen or similar object to pick around his fingernails while working. Not something you want to see from someone preparing food. All-Inclusive Drinks – Very Disappointing Without doubt, one of the weakest parts of the hotel experience. The alcoholic drinks seemed incredibly weak compared with other all-inclusive hotels we’ve visited. On one occasion, I drank what I estimated to be around half a pint of gin over the course of the evening and barely noticed the effects I would normally expect. Obviously, that’s my personal experience rather than proof of the alcohol content, but the drinks package was extremely disappointing. Staff – Two Very Different Experiences The ladies working in the restaurant were absolutely lovely. Friendly, welcoming and always pleasant. Unfortunately, the bartenders were quite the opposite. They generally appeared miserable and gave the impression they didn’t particularly enjoy their jobs. It’s a shame because friendly service makes such a difference to a holiday. Location – A Real Positive The hotel is very close to a fantastic little pub called the Green Door. It’s a great little boozer with very reasonable prices and was a welcome alternative to the hotel’s disappointing drinks package. Would We Return? Surprisingly, yes, we probably would! Despite the negatives, the hotel has some genuine positives, particularly its cleanliness, location and friendly restaurant staff. However, I wouldn’t book all-inclusive again. I’d definitely choose bed and breakfast and spend my money enjoying the local bars and restaurants instead. Final thoughts – A strong 6/10. A very clean hotel with some lovely staff and a decent location, but let down by inconsistent food, poor soundproofing and a disappointing all-inclusive drinks package. With improvements in those areas, it could be a much better experience."

"Fantastic location, clean hotel, great selection of food and lovely staff 😁"