Holiday World Polynesia, Affiliated by Meliá

We’ve just got back from a 7 night stay at the Polynesia Hotel and all I can say is wow! We travelled as a family with an 8 year old and a 1 year old and we all had an amazing time.

The hotel includes access to the Beach Club, which is a great bonus, but honestly we loved the hotel’s own pool so much that we only went to the Beach Club twice during the whole week. The atmosphere around the pool was brilliant and there was always something going on.

A huge shout out to the entertainment team!! They were absolutely incredible from morning until night. They were so friendly, full of energy and made everyone feel involved. The shows they performed themselves on Friday and Saturday were honestly the best of the week. They were so much better than some of the external acts brought in during the other evenings and you could really see how much effort and passion they put into them.

Every member of staff we met was welcoming, friendly and always happy to help. The food was another pleasant surprise. There was loads of choice every day and even our very picky daughter found plenty she enjoyed, which is a massive win when you’re travelling with children!

Our room was spacious, clean and comfortable, with plenty of room for all of us.

We genuinely can’t think of a single negative thing to say about our stay. It’s one of those holidays where everything just came together perfectly and we’re already talking about coming back. If you’re thinking about booking, especially as a family, don’t hesitate you won’t regret it!

The location of this hotel was kind of distant but beautiful. Lobby of the hotel was so cool and the most coolest lobby ever. Atmosphere was very nice. Rooms were spacious and nice. I Love the room balcony view. Hotels value was good too. My room was always spotless. Some places in the hotel were a bit dirty but nothing to think too much off. Food was pretty good, breakfast was the best! However the pool water was pretty cold so I couldn't swim much. The mini golf area was pretty fire.

We visited Hotel Polynesia at the end of July 2026 and stayed in a Junior Suite for a family of four for one week.

The room was spacious and provided a bedroom for the adults, with sofa beds for our two 14 year olds. Sofa beds probably makes it sound a poor option but both said the beds were comfortable and had proper mattresses. The only inconvenience was it was in the main lounge area, but that space itself accommodated a table, tv, small kitchen and breakfast bar so it didn't really impact our stay as it was a large enough area. The pillows are classic sausage shapes (!) and are really not very comfortable. Pack one!

A few observations that would have been useful for us before we travelled:

• The pictures on the holiday sites are slightly misleading when showing the pools and the slides etc. Look at the wording on them to see if what you are seeing is actually at the hotel. The hotel has one pool onsite.

• Mindset for this holiday needs to be 'hotel complex' not just staying at 'a hotel'. There are three hotels all within walking distance of each other and you can use your AI wristband in all of them for access, food and drink. We found that the hotel at the bottom of the hill suited us best - large quieter pool, more loungers and less crowded, self service bar and food which was larger and also just one road crossing from the Beach Club. 5 minute walk from Polynesia.

• The Beach Club was a daily visit. At the far end there is basketball and football. There are several large quieter pools. You can get drinks but there is a frustrating process whereby you need a token for a cup (you can get the tokens for free from the hotel or take a cup). We found that we based ourself at the Holiday World hotel at the bottom of the hill, visited the Beach Club as and when then returned to the hotel. Don't be fooled that this is a water park though. There are a few slides and rides but it is very limited. Didn't impact us as we were more about football and basketball then a swim.

• There is a bus that takes you up and down the hill but if you are able bodied and not carrying too much it doesn't add anything. You can walk up or down quicker than waiting for the bus - 5 mins max. It is steep so if anyone is frail, toddler, carrying inflatables then the bus makes sense. If not, just walk.

• Check in was the worst part of the holiday experience. Very slow. I guess there is a lot to explain but it was very very slow.

• Uber / Bolt are very reliable and fairly priced. We went to Marbella and also to the 9 hole golf in Benalmadena. It isn't cheap (around £80 for 3 to play) but its fun and takes around an hour if you like golf. It isn't busy. Very short holes - 50 to 100 yards. Don't bother buying tees.

• I don't understand the complaints about the food. We thought it was excellent. Everything that you would expect, plenty for the kids, cooked meats, cold salads, wine and beer on tap, daily specials. Some of the best food we have had on AI. There is food and drink throughout the day from 8am to early evening.

• The Spa onsite is disappointing. Its a pool with jets. Not worth the visit but we had vouchers so had one hour or so in there. The gym is also dated but I guess its enough (very quiet). Try the other two hotel gyms I'd suggest (we didn't want it enough).

• Decent shop on site for anything you may have forgotten.

• The piano bar has no piano!

• Decent WiFi and Aircon.

• There is an arcade, games room, pool tables, mini golf, bowling, table tennis and evening entertainment although we didn't go to any. There is no Sports Bar which was a surprise so we got a Bolt into Benalmadena to 'Ally Cats' on the sea front to watch F1 which was a very friendly sports bar run by a guy from Leeds.

All in all I would totally recommend this holiday and hotel. There is plenty to do, it is clean and the staff are friendly. Be ready for a long wait when you check in and explore the area as this is much more than a one hotel break.