Have to start by saying we were moved here, with only 2 days notice,from a more expensive and superior quality, adults only hotel. Thanks Direct Holidays/Thomas Cook for pocketing the price difference then refusing any compensation whatsoever. After a struggle, eventually managed to wring out the minimum sum from them stipulated in their own Terms & Conditions for a "major change". ABTA have made no attempt to mediate in this, they seem to serve only the travel companies not the customer. Oh and you can't email ABTA so it will cost you a minimum 51 pence per minute to ring them.
Despite this, here is a genuinely objective view of Rey Don Jaime. Good location, close to shops etc and just a few hundred yards from a nice, clean wide beach with sunbeds and umbrellas for 13 Euros a day. Across the road from the hotel is what appears to be a sewage storage/treatment plant giving off pretty bad smell at various times of day and night.
Hotel reception area is modern and attractive, staff fairly helpful and friendly until you want to complain about anything. Before getting to room, had paid 20 Euros for WiFi (variable reception), 21 Eu + deposit for safe, 21 Eu for fridge and 10 Eu deposit for TV remote; lucky we didn't want kettle too, even that was 10 Eu! Asked about pool towels but they don't provide, even for a charge, many other guests had to go and buy some.
Rooms are small, shabby and poorly furnished, no real drawer space and a wardrobe too narrow to accommodate the hangers, let alone clothes. "View" from our room was straight into another apartment block about 20 metres away. Bathroom a bit tatty, very small, threadbare towels, no tissues or clothes line, the most basic of toiletries which are not replenished even on request. Maids pleasant enough but actual cleaning obviously not their strong point.
Facilities - decent outdoor pool with enough sunbeds (for June anyway) but short of umbrellas, bit of a morning race for them, indoor "pool" more of a large bathtub really. Good indoor bar area and large covered outdoor seating and tables but bar (self) service a bit stretched and, like others, definitely felt All- inc clients were a bit second-class. Bit surprised to find no locks on cubicle doors of public toilets, both poolside and indoors and cleaners evidently preferred to give these a miss.
Food - outside lunch of baguettes, burgers, hot dogs and chips ok - the flies seemed to enjoy it especially. Restaurant meals pretty ropey, only warm at best, difficult to tell what some dishes were, not much choice really. We're not snobby but dress code was supposed to be long trousers for men and no swimwear - totally ignored by all staff - bare feet, vests, baseball caps and, God forbid, even Speedos seemed OK! Not a good experience.
This is not a bad place if you're paying really cheap and cheerful, budget prices especially for young families but we weren't and were surprised to learn how many others had been moved here from other hotels. I know the star rating system is based on a range of factors but I really think this is struggling to make it to 3-star overall. They say you get what you pay for, but we didn't - thanks again Direct Holidays.
Room Tip: Choose different hotel!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.