Hotel Las Arenas, by Meliá (Benalmadena, Spain)

You couldn't get much closer to the beach than Symbol Las Arenas, so if you're planning to spend a lot of time sunbathing, this is a great choice. Guests also love that it's a convenient location with plenty of local amenities.

All-inclusive buffet restaurants often get a bad rap, but Symbol Las Arenas rises above the competition with food that guests genuinely seem to like - it's varied, fresh and well cooked, so you might find yourself dining regularly here.

Guests praise the staff highly, from those on the front desk who are endlessly helpful, to the housekeeping staff who are discreet and efficient.

While older guests love this hotel, there's little to appeal to children or young people in terms of the facilities and entertainment. Parents might prefer somewhere with more to keep the kids busy.

While many of the front-facing rooms benefit from sea views, they also overlook the busy main road, which guests say causes some noise nuisance. It seems to only be a minor issue though.

Though the hotel has signs informing guests that reserving loungers with towels is prohibited, this seems to go ignored, and guests report that 9a.m. is the lounger reservation rush hour. It can make relaxation an oddly stressful experience.