Viva Cala Mesquida Resort & Spa

The hotel is ideally suited to families with loads for the children to do, we travelled in early September to avoid the main rush but it appears that German schools go back a little later than in the UK. Upon arrival after just over an hour's transfer from the airport, we upgraded to Selection Club, with the help of Sara, and were not disappointed paying the extra. We had a room with a view, a lovely pool area overlooking the sea and breakfast and lunch taken in the Italian, plus 3 visits to the other themed restaurants (we ate at the Mirablau Beach Bar twice and once at the Mexican, La Guitarra). I am surprised that TUI did not offer this upgrade package, but then again we never even saw the TUI rep on-site despite his so-called advertised visiting hours (one day a week). The food in all the restaurants was good, the buffet was pretty similar to what you get elsewhere with but plenty of choice. We preferred lunch at the El Patio on the days that we skipped the Italian. The pool in the Selection Club area was good, drinks served to your (double) sunbeds by scanning a QR code on the parasol base, and on one day fresh fruit was brought around. The only complaint really was that this should really be an adult only area as there were children playing in the pool and ruining the atmosphere a little. There was a small jacuzzi that was supposed to be for adults, but frequently there were children in there and they were not asked to leave. I might be wrong, but I think that anyone in the hotel could quite easily use that area, which detracts from the "Select" nature of the offering. All in all, we had a great relaxing holiday and would return if the Selection Club was an adults only area, or if we returned one day as a family with our grand children as the hotel/resort is really good for the little ones.

We are on day 3 of our holiday at the moment. We booked the royal terrace sea view with selection club and on arrival we were taken to a special reception to check in. The selection club area is in a separate part of the hotel which is a lot quieter than the main area. You can visit all areas of the hotel which is great if you want a change of scenery. On arrival we were welcomed by Alexsandra at reception, she was so friendly and welcoming and took us through everything. She then took us for some food in the Italian restaurant where we were welcomed by Jenny. She is the best waitress at the Italian restaurant although all the staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. All the staff are so friendly and the hotel is so clean. The views are exceptional and the beach is a few minutes walk away if you enjoy the sand. There are two supermarkets opposite where you can buy bits for your room. I will write a further review once home.

I was really exited to go to this hotel since we originally planned to go there 2021, but Covid restrictions made us book somewhere else. We almost always go to Greece but decided to try something new. We came May the 28th and left 4th of July. We are a family of 6 and had two rooms. When we first checked in, we had to wait two hours for our room. When we finally got the keys, the staff saw that we had 6 large bags and had trouble getting them all with us, but did not say a thing. We did not know where to go, no one followed us. When we said we needed help, they gave us a stroller to put the bags on. We tried to navigate that stroller and simultaneously carry our baby and check the other kids, and it was a hustle, but no one came to aid. Staff even passed us struggling, but just passed by talking to each other. So that was the start. What followed: - Rude and indifferent staff, sighing when we asked something and overall looked like the just wanted us gone - in the big restaurant, in the pool bar, at the stage bar etc. everywhere. - lack of cleaning. Same stains still there the whole week. Photos are taken when we actually called to report. Two cleaners came up and re-did the cleaning, came back - still not clean. - tasteless food in the main restaurant. All (even through the different themes) tasted the same i.e NOTHING. Poor signing of what the food even was, I would not want to be an allergic person going there. Body hair in the fruit plates. Butter missing one day, only available was margarine. The put two margarine there and placed the butter sign above one of them. I pointed it out, that it was actually margarine- she told me it was butter… yeah no. - they actually serve good drinks/spirits/wine/cava/beer. But the serve wine and cava by the pool in these slushie-kind-of-glasses?!! I’ve been to a lot of hotels with these (supposed) standards, a not one of them have had glasses like this for wine/cava. They’ve been plastic, but actual wine and cava glasses. Really not a premium feeling. - small main pool area with super slippery tiles. The pictures show a lot of premium pools, but these are only in reserved areas. The pool was cold and really standard/boring. All activities are for children 3-6 years, tops. - gym, all machines broken or not working except for one. - you really need all inclusive, because there is nothing near by at all. Really secluded. What this is not a total 2 rating: - The beach and overall nature is amazing. - the terrace with the bubble pool was great. - great beer/wine/cava/liquor and a few drinks. -Supermarket close by -the three a la carte restaurants were pretty good! Especially La Terazza! Great view, good food and really nice staff. The other two were so and so food wise, but nice staff! A few great staff members stands out: - Layla - Nadja and Sara (reception) - Valderama (breakfast/dinner) - Juan - Alejandro (pool bar) - Tomi (waiter) We had a great time as a family but are really