We have just returned from a very pleasant holiday at the Villa Flamenca, Nerja and would agree with previous reviews that the hotel is very friendly indeed, the entertainment the best we have come across in any hotels previously, especially the Flamenco shows and Neil, but the only criticism we would have is that the food was not up to standard. Granted, there were plenty of meat dishes, varied throughout the fortnight we were there, but the cooking and presentation of these could have been better and if, like us, you like vegetables, you will be sadly disappointed with the lack of variety offered and the way they were overcooked. The Gala night meals were far superior to the other nights. Apart from the meals, however, we really liked the hotel and its old Andalucian Villa style of decor, especially the courtyard with fountain within the reception area. Perhaps it will be re-decorated soon though, as some of the paintwork could do with smartening up! Although previous reviews mention small rooms, we were quite satisfied with the size of our bedroom as being at the front of the hotel at the end of the building, ours appeared to be larger, had a side window as well as the balcony, and also had a window in the bathroom. We liked the large ceiling fan as opposed to air conditioning (less germs to circulate!) and all in all, enjoyed our stay at Flamenca. Nerja itself is just delightful and we look forward to returning to the area some time.

My husband and i have just come back from a week at Hotel Villa Flamenca, NEVER AGAIN!!! It was the worst holiday we have ever had. On arrival after booking in we went to our room, on opening the door a really musty smell hit us which was coming from the drains in the bathroom. Unpacked, and as we arrived about 11.15pm we went straight to bed. What a night!! It must have been the most uncomfortable bed i have ever slept in (or tried to!!). In the early hours next door (or whoever) went to the toilet and the most horrendous noise woke us up. It was the drains again, whenever next door used the loo it sounded like thunder clapping in our room!! Went down for breakfast first morning, got some cereal, put milk on and went to get tuck in, the milk was SOUR. It was in a cooling machine that they never once cleaned out, they just kept filling it up. The food at dinner was mostly warm to cold and either over or under cooked. We never once sunbathed round the pool, not because of lack of beds, they were in abundance. It was lack of space, they had too many tables & chairs round the pool so you could only get a dozen or so beds out. If you did get a bed you didnt get much sun anyway as there were too many trees over hanging. Nerja itself is a lovely little place, JUST STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

i would like to say what a brill time my family and i had at villa flamenca i would like to thank all the staff for their kindness the thomson rep was very good and was very helpful we had a fab time in august roll on 2007

Thomson did us proud. I was suffering from a gastric complaint before we left home for the airport. Jacqui and her glamorous air stewardesses made sure I was comfortable. Even advised that I should have, at least, some breakfast en route. Splendid turbulence over the hinterlandof Southern Spain! - we had to circle for forty minutes as there was an emergency, acute illness case on another airline which had to have a clear aiport. The "turb" seemed to shake out the gastric problems. Jacqui ordered a wheelchair, ahead of us landing, to meet me. Dunno about a wheelchair for illness - Malaga Airport Arrivals is so very far from the car/coach park - it really needs a train to convey the new arrivals. True, there are conveyances which tour around the Halls ferrying passengers and their luggage if needed. Don't be afraid to ask/enquire if you need "wheels".

Villa Flamenca is a forty minute trip away from the airport. Good freebie sightseeing from the motorway! Down a little side road of white painted Spanish houses. They're building expat homes on every bit of rocky outcrop.

Villa Flamenca has two or three steps up from pavement. Reception staff excellent especially the Manager. I must mention Thomson's young lady Rep - Danni - who was fairly new in her post. She loved it. Nothing too much trouble to check that I was OK, from time to time. More later about this.

The Annexe was our allotted area and this was worth it tho' we paid nothing extra. Decent Andalucian beds. Rather tiny balcony round side of the buidling which only gave us enclosed garden view. Never mind - we go on holiday to see the sights - not the hotel rooms! Everything clean and "pleasant to touch"!

The front Lounge furniture was a trifle worn and in need of a sponging but nothing to offend the fastidious amongst you all. The Andalusian fountain in the rear of the Lounge took me a bit of getting used to as there is a copious amount of vegetation and flora to contend with. Laid in and across the fountain were many carnations. Read on! Nearby is the television area and - need I say more - it blurted out football most of the time!!! Toilets in the Lounge area, too!

Go early and queue a few minutes to get the first pick of the excellent buffet restaurant. For the "pisceans" there is always some good fish to be sampled. Because of my "indisposition" we sat at a small "table for two" by a pillar close to the buffet bar. One night I offered our table to a moderately mature couple - as we'd finished. "No thank you!" barked the apparently self-opinionated BLOKE, "We don't like tables for two"! Ahem - Pardon me for holidaying!

Several kind people including a nice lady and her pleasant daughter would daily enquire on my progress - you see - I had a return of the malaise which gradually increased over the next three or four days eventually yielding great dizziness. I must mention that kind lady from Solihull who shared my passion for the fish dishes and who insisted that I have some of her Bach Flower Remedy to help out. Where does she live? I never got to see her on the departure day!

Danni eventually decided that I should have a doctor - who came! The young Spaniard who blighted my holiday! Performed all manner of basic tests in the bedroom then decided that I should be conveyed to Benalmadina Clinic during the evening.

As I was suffering from internal discomforts they decided to give me intensive brain scans, B.P. tests, full stomach X-Rays and so on.. Literally,they make "hay" whilst the sun shines and the insurers pay out! The X-Ray young radiographer lady should be seen in film theatres - Not hospital theatres!!! I was kept in, with my wife, overnight and most of next day. Free taxi back to Flamenca. (Good job I was fully insured!).

Attended the "Induction" course of Thomson soon after our arrival. Thought we'd booked for Gibraltar, Alhambra and one or two other trips. Transpired that we should have "followed up" our booking! Everyone shoud have followed up their booking - cos nothing had gotten booked well, not for us at least! Still, the orange juice was nice.

The buffet in the nearby pool bar is excellent. Pleasant bar lady and gent and everything so fresh and clean. The supermarket across the road is convenient tho' "They" do say it's cheaper at the Spar on the main road. Now then.....let's go down to the sea....!

Superb sunny views of the mountains on the way down. Thinks: "Bet this'll be a drag having to walk all the way back up!" True! However - you very soon get used to it. The food facilities along the Burriana Beach are good and it's so pleasant to lunch at the beachside bars. The mountain views are, as I say, superb.

We took the bus to the Stalactite Caves - it leaves from a short distance downhill on the main road. To be frank - it's worth "decongesting" by walking to the Caves. Especially if the weather is fine. (All taxis in Nerja are the same special price wherever you go - within reason. Wotta nice change!).

Nerja town centre is most pleasant. Watch the expats gossiping whilst you drink a coffee opposite the Church. See the intelligentsia doing their shopping. Look out towards Balcon del Europe and do visit the little coffee bar which looks out over the beach below and from where you procure the key for the most hygenic loo on the cliff top. The cream cakes are splendid.

Do take the two or three coach motor train which gives one a worthwhile tour around the Nerja area. All round the backstreets plus the new developments. Back in Nerja town centre it's worthwhile going into the Church! The saintly statuary is to be seen to be believed!! Don't imagine it's advisable to take little children in with you. A bit spooky and nightmarish!

Do photograph those Burriana Beach mountains and the pleasant palm tree walkways. Remember - do take the memory cards out of your camera and not leave them in your camera case. I took my camera to a UK event a week or two ago. I took the case off from the camera, lost it - complete with 330 memory card shots of various sorts including all my Nerja memories!!! The Lost Property Office has seen neither hide nor hair of the items. How nice modern day people are....and there were special photos of our recently arrived new grandson!

All in all - Nerja and surrounds is a thoroughly attractive destination which is enhanced by the "halfway house" Villa Flamenca twixt main road and white beaches. You must give it a go.

P.S. .......the Flamenca pool is kept scrupulously clean. Gorgeous to sit in the sun by. Also - the entertainments are said to be worthwhile attending. Us? We stay out and about! (When I'm feelin' fine!).

On the last evening dinner the manager administers a sherry to all diners and all the ladies get a carnation. If you gobble your meal pretty smartish you'll be able to see that all those long stem carnations which have languished all week on the fountain bowl - are the same ones the ladies get to "borrow" for a short while!!!