Gran Hotel Bali

Holly Hague

This was my first time staying in benidorm and we booked this hotel as me we read it's Facilities were wonderful, food, spa, pools etc. When we arrived we went to reception and our first encounter checking in with the reception staff was so rude. Like we were causing an inconvenience purely by just being there. The hotel was 4* and there were no signs of 4* service. No assistance with bags. We were told to sign some paperwork as she skipped past the T&C, gave us our key and sent on our way. The only staff member willing to help us on our way "Danielle" of the hospitality team (the Scottish girl) was a credit to the team. No one told us we needed to deposit or room cards with money, to purchase things around the hotel, and when we came out of the restaurant for the first time, a staff member was telling us we needed to pay for drinks which we assumed would just calculate together like a tab on your room card, which wasn't the case. Danielle then explained we needed to go back to reception to start depositing. The lifts and the way the other holiday makers "Qué" for these (and any other queuing scenario around the hotel) is wild. People just push in, have no sense of respect. Multiple times we spoke to staff members in the hotel just to ask questions like "how do we book excursions, trips, book in at the spa?" And the response was just so cold like we just should know the answers. They shouldn't have to answer our questions. Once my friend asked a lady on reception how to access a coffee vending machine and the response was "How am I supposed to know, I don't deal with that, ask in the cafe." We reported a urine smell coming from our bathroom as there was a leak coming from the ceiling through the light fittings in there, which was dangerous. And that was fixed the same day. No tea/coffee facilities in the room. The food selection was poor. A lot of fish and not much choice for children. They had a pillow menu in every room but no tea or coffee facilities 😅 We used the spa on our last day, which firstly was difficult to book. And then on arrival the staff member on reception was very direct and it wasn't giving a relaxing manner what so ever. We then were told we had to wear hair masks in the spa, which we weren't previously informed about and then charged £6 for them 🙄 The hotel was around a 15 mins drive from any main attraction in benidorm. And as far as the whole experience goes. Our holiday was great but the hotel let down our experience, greatly.

Natan Ribeiro

I stayed at this hotel and overall I found it nice. It is rated as a 4-star hotel, and honestly it has the potential to truly be one. However, my experience was affected by a few issues. I got stuck in the elevator for around 20 minutes, which was quite stressful. Also, during dinner, the prices seemed different at night, but this was not clearly communicated to guests. The bathroom in the room could also have been cleaner. The reception staff were very good and helpful. However, the staff during dinner/snack service were not very communicative or helpful. I also feel the hotel is losing drink sales in different areas, especially on the rooftop, which has an amazing view. I wanted to have more cocktails there, but I was told to go downstairs to get drinks and then come back up, which does not make much sense for guests. I am leaving 3 stars because I believe the hotel has great potential, and I hope these points can be improved in the future for both the guests and the hotel.

Stefania Raducanu

Lovely hotel! A bit dated on the decor but still grand as the name suggests. I can imagine it was one day amonsgt the best in Spain. The food was good too, specially breakfast. The most amazing part of my stay were the views. The spa was also superb, Helena was very helpful and knowlegeable, it was very relaxing. The spa is quite small and you pay per hour, but the facilities are worthy.

Mike Mabey

States it's a 4 star hotel, no tea coffee mmm asking facilities in the room though. Our room was on 21st floor, great views but long waits for the lift down to breakfast. Lift availability was hit and miss. Reception staff need to attend a customer service course, memorable arrival and exit for the wrong reasons, not even a "how did you enjoy your stay" or "have a safe flight home" There is a very decent Chinese buffet across the road, all you can eat for £15. Having read the reviews prior to going to this hotel, I think it is very marmite, you either like it or you don't, mine is the later I'm afraid.

A D’C

Was given a waterbottle at dinner by staff on first night. Reused that plastic bottle, was then lectured for 5 minutes the next day at dinner as that bottle was for ‘special types of clientele only’- we observed that this was the Spanish locals. As an all-inclusive paying guest, this felt unnecessary and unprofessional; unsure what the staff were trying to achieve. I was then stopped about it again the next day, where staff by the exit of dining said again ‘where did you get that waterbottle’. The service was poor, staff were generally avoidant. The all inclusive is quite limited in terms of drinks, with the option to upgrade for €13pp per day to access branded liquors & cocktails etc. Found the food to be repetitive and a little limited for a 4*, but the fresh squeezed orange juice was great. The rooms were cleaned to a high standard, but definitely outdated with virtually no WiFi connection & poor functioning air conditioning. By the middle of the day, the room was too hot to rest; considering this was our experience in March, it would definitely be less tolerable in summer heat. The entertainment was definitely for the older Spanish clientele- not a criticism just something to be aware of if you are younger! Despite this, the hotel gym was relatively good. A nice quiet part of Benidorm, with good walks and views close by. Very local supermarket & tabac, so everything required for a short stay. A 2€ bus takes you to the strip, and Uber was accessible.