Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora

This hotel offers a luxurious urban escape, distinguished by its palace-like design and the longest saltwater infinity pool in Europe, making it a memorable destination. It caters exceptionally well to families with young children, providing abundant entertainment and dedicated facilities, while also appealing to couples seeking relaxation with its adults-only areas and serene ambiance. Guests frequently commend the extensive facilities, the beautiful grounds, and the generally attentive staff. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to book specialty restaurants well in advance due to high demand, and be aware of the distinctions and benefits associated with the "Red Level" service.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts an impressive array of pools, including a vibrant pirate pool and splash park for children, a spacious family pool, and serene adults-only areas. The signature saltwater infinity pool is a visual highlight, though some guests note its water can be quite cool. A well-equipped fitness center and a spa offering various treatments are available for guest use, though access to the spa may incur an additional charge. While Wi-Fi is generally available, some guests experienced connectivity issues. Some visitors have reported an intermittent sewage or manure smell around certain areas of the hotel, particularly near the banana plantations, which can affect the enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Sunbeds, while plentiful, are sometimes described as uncomfortable or worn, with limited options for shade.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest rooms are generally described as spacious and well-appointed, often featuring large bathrooms with double sinks, separate showers, and sometimes a jacuzzi bath. Many rooms include a balcony for outdoor enjoyment. However, some guests have noted that rooms can appear tired or dated, with instances of stains on furniture, broken fixtures, or poor lighting. Noise levels from corridors and neighboring rooms are occasionally mentioned as a concern, impacting peaceful rest. Some reviews also report issues with damp or mold smells in rooms, and in rare cases, the presence of cockroaches. While amenities like a mini-bar, safe, and ironing facilities are provided, guests often find that items such as coffee maker pods or bottled water incur extra charges.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers an excellent buffet breakfast with a wide variety of options, though it can become crowded during peak hours, leading to long queues for seating. Multiple themed restaurants, including Mexican, Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine, are available for dinner. Food quality in the specialty restaurants is generally praised as very good and varied, with fresh ingredients. However, some guests find the main buffet food mediocre or cold, with limited vegetarian options. A significant point of contention is the restaurant booking system, which often requires booking 48 hours in advance via a dedicated app, leading to limited availability and frustration for guests. Drinks, especially premium selections, can be expensive if not part of an all-inclusive package, and even all-inclusive options may have limitations.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel is situated directly on the coast, offering private access to a promenade and nearby black sand beaches, with picturesque views of La Gomera. While the setting is beautiful and provides a sense of tranquility, the hotel is described as somewhat isolated, with not much around in terms of external shops or restaurants within easy walking distance. This makes the hotel largely a self-contained destination. For guests wishing to explore beyond the immediate vicinity, taxi services are readily available to reach other towns. Parking is provided on-site, though it is typically chargeable, and some guests have noted the parking area's condition.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for being friendly, attentive, helpful, and professional. Guests frequently highlight the warm welcome upon arrival and the generally quick check-in process, contributing to a positive first impression. Service in the various restaurants and by the pools is often commended for its attentiveness. However, some reviews mention inconsistent service or perceived understaffing in certain areas, leading to delays, particularly at bars or for room service requests. While most staff are proficient, a few guests reported instances of staff rudeness or difficulties with English communication, which occasionally impacted their experience.

Additional Information
The hotel operates a tiered service system, notably the Red Level, which offers exclusive areas, adults-only sections, concierge service, and upgraded amenities. Many guests, however, express frustration with feeling pressured to upgrade or experiencing a sense of being "second-class citizens" if not part of this premium tier. The hotel also promotes a loyalty program, with some guests finding the sales pitches for this membership to be overly aggressive. For families, the hotel provides extensive kids' activities, including a dedicated kids club (with a fee for younger children), a lively pirate pool, splash park, and various evening entertainment options such as mini discos, face painting, cinema nights, and even unique experiences like lifelike dinosaur or superhero mornings. Recurring environmental issues mentioned include biting flies, particularly around the infinity pool, and an intermittent sewage or manure smell emanating from nearby banana plantations. Guests on all-inclusive packages often note that the offering is not truly all-inclusive, with extra charges for mini-bar items, bottled water in rooms, certain premium drinks, and spa access.