V9700HLjasonb
Google
This is our (same sex male couple) fifth visit to Salobre Hotel Resort and Serenity in three years, always half-board. On every visit, we have encountered other returners and regulars, some of whom have been going there regularly for 20+ years, which is a great indicator of the hotel's qualities. Those include small groups, couples (straight and same-sex) and singles. Singles tell us it's a great place for them.||We initially had some assumptions, before our first visit, about what a golf hotel might be like. We are not golfers. We later understood that golfers are generally out of the hotel during the day, and thus the hotel is populated during the day with non-golfers. We've met lots of lovely golfers. We have visited in March, July and September, so not during the golfing high season.||We look for a very chilled-out atmosphere as our vacations are about relaxation and recuperation. Salobre is perfect for this in so many ways. It's probably not the right choice for the party crew - it is a calm and calming environment. Whilst it is not adults-only, there are adults-only areas that are more than sufficient. Its location is isolated, up a mountain with amazing views. That may not appeal to those who want to be near shops, bars and restaurants, especially at night. There is a free shuttle bus during the day to early evening to Melanoras. It does not run at night. Hence, we go half-board, which is also good value for money. The food is good with plenty of choice (one of us is vegetarian), and you can eat healthily or indulgently. We have never had to wait for a table for breakfast or dinner. The food is good with plenty of choice (one of us is vegetarian), and it's great value for money. One of us isn't crazy about buffet food, but that's because it's so often not very good. That is not the case here. It is always super fresh, well presented, lots of choice, and the environment is without chaos. ||The hotel, its grounds and amenities are very well spread out across multiple levels, so it never feels crowded. It has an amazing planting scheme of mature palms, cacti and succulents. There is no fighting over loungers and you are never lined up like sardines when sunbathing. The infinity pool is large enough to properly swim in and is also never overcrowded. The environment is super clean, as are the rooms. You never encounter trash anywhere. We love the design, it's very comfortable but with a touch of softened brutalist concrete architecture softened. We have also noted that there is constant maintenance and new touches, including to the room. I occassionally have to do some work when I am there, and the WIFI is sufficient, including for online meetings. Rooms don't have desks anymore, which I sometimes miss but I can easily make do with the robust balcony table and comfortable chair. I hate plastic furniture and there is none here.||The staff across reception, restaurants, spas, pool areas and bars, and cleaners are all excellent, friendly but respectful. The only issue we have ever had was with a leaking air conditioner, which was fixed quickly and with zero obstruction or excuses.||When considering a holiday now, this is the first one that we check. We know what we are getting, we know how it works and whilst we still go to other places, if honest, we haven't found as good a match for the value for money.