Elba Estepona Gran Hotel and Thalasso Spa

Jules Ben-Nathan

My wife and I had such an enjoyable time at the Elba Estepona Gran hotel/ spa. Half board, breakfast, there was so much choice, amazing. Dinner buffet, lots of choice plus a fresh meat or fish cooking station by two chefs, I just had to tell the chef what I liked and how I would like it cooked, incredible. There also was another restaurant but for a small supplement but didn't manage to go. The spa was very relaxing, and I did go to their gym once and was a good array of equipment. Outdoor very large pool and an indoor heated pool were great. And plenty of sunbeds. I'm looking forward to going back soon.

Toni

We stayed at Elba during Easter holidays and were pleasantly surprised by welcoming and supporting members of staff. Our room was lovely with an amazing sea view. The breakfast was great - lots of fruit, meats and omelette that’s made to order. I’ve managed to learn quite a few sentences in Spanish (thanks to wonderful members of staff). The hotel itself is little bit dated and probably needs a little refurb - we could hear people talking in other rooms. But it wasn’t a big issue, some people might find it annoying. Still, it’s a charming place. We are planning to come back later in a year. Also, there’s Aldi on the other side of the road for those who would like to sample local produce.

David Fairweather

This was our second stay at the Elba and we liked it even more than the first. Its a 5 star hotel without that stuffy feel you sometimes get going 5 star. The Junior suite was perfect for us, quiet location, sea views, spacious with excellent terrace and sunbeds, good aircon that works quietly and nice decor etc. Special mention to Rafael and Miriam on reception who allocated our room and checked us in, and to all the staff at the Elba who were super friendly and helpful, and full marks to the Manager for having such a great team. Like most things in life, there is a little room for improvement but we had a great stay at the Elba and will be going back again for sure.

Sven F

Beautiful hotel, but the restaurant is an absolute disgrace – a very disappointing experience At first glance, this hotel seems to offer exactly what you would expect from a five-star resort in a charming Spanish style: beautiful architecture, a peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained grounds. The setting really had potential for a relaxing and luxurious holiday. But what I’ve experienced over the past seven days has been truly shocking – particularly when it comes to the hotel restaurant, which unfortunately ruined most of the stay for me. On the third evening, after dinner, I became severely ill and spent the entire night vomiting. Since then, I haven't felt properly well – which is the last thing you want while on holiday. I had to skip two days of meals entirely because I simply couldn’t eat. When I finally returned to the restaurant, I paid close attention. I specifically asked the chef to make sure the chicken was thoroughly cooked – yet I was served undercooked meat. The next day, the same thing happened with the salmon. It’s clear that there is absolutely no quality control happening in the kitchen. And it doesn’t stop there. When I pointed out to the restaurant manager that birds were eating the uncovered cake outside, he didn’t seem to care at all – he just closed the curtains to the terrace door. That was his solution. The hygiene standards are shockingly low for any restaurant, let alone one in a five-star hotel. Overall, the food here is simply not up to any standard. Not even what you'd expect from a street kiosk. It lacks quality, care, and above all, safety. This is not a minor issue – this is a serious health risk. What could have been a wonderful vacation turned into a very sad experience. I’m honestly relieved to be going home.

Malu K

We were only here for a short time but we enjoyed it. ( January 2025 ) The hotel has a great location right on the beach. We easily parked in the hotel parking lot. We had an incredibly spacious room (Junior suite) with a beautiful view of the sunrise. Very friendly staff ready to help all the time.Delicious food with large selection. Yes the hotel and the equipment are a bit dated and some parts could need some renovation but we were very satisfied and we definitely recommend it. Thank you . 👍👍👍