Hotel ELE Andarax, pool hotel with half board in Aguadulce
Hotel ELE Andarax is a three-star hotel in Aguadulce, Almería, a few minutes' walk from the beach and the marina. It has a seasonal outdoor pool, a rooftop sun terrace and a buffet restaurant. It suits families and couples after a simple beach stay with friendly staff, less so anyone who wants quiet.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hotel ELE Andarax.
Where Hotel ELE Andarax is and how to get there
Hotel ELE Andarax is on Calle Santa Fe, in the centre of Aguadulce on the Almería coast. The description places it a few minutes from the beach and the marina, close to restaurants, shops and supermarkets. One guest says Almería and Roquetas are about 10 minutes away by car, and buses run every half hour.
There is one detail worth knowing straight away. Guests estimate 7 to 15 minutes on foot to the beach, but the walk back is uphill. Parking is easy in the area, and the hotel has paid private parking that needs booking in advance, at 6 euros a day according to one review.
What the rooms are like and what services it has
It is a three-star hotel with rooms equipped with air conditioning, heating, a full bathroom with a hairdryer, a television and a safe. Many have a terrace or balcony. Several guests describe them as spacious, clean and with comfortable mattresses, although others find the pillows could be better.
- Pool and sun terrace. Seasonal outdoor pool, with a terrace and sunbeds. One guest highlights the rooftop with views and the water at a good temperature.
- Buffet restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a bar-café.
- 24-hour reception. With tourist information and a luggage store.
- Free Wi-Fi. In the shared areas and rooms, although one review says it is not very fast.
- Entertainment. The hotel organises activities for all ages.
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is by midday. Pets are not accepted.
What guests say
On Google it scores 3.4 out of 5 from 925 reviews. That looks low, but the positive reviews are many and quite specific. There are two sides to it, and it is worth looking at both.
Several guests say the best thing about Hotel ELE Andarax is the staff, friendly, attentive and helpful, to the point that one guest says they were sent off with a hug. They also praise the daily cleaning with fresh towels, the varied buffet of meat, fish and vegetables, and a value for money they consider very good. Half board is the option most recommended, and one review says it includes drinks.
Among the complaints are the food, which some find decent but unremarkable, with fruit and jelly desserts, and the breakfasts, which one guest found weak. Also the bathroom, with little space to hang towels, and the Wi-Fi. A guest who booked a room facing outward mentions noise from the avenue.
The most recent negative reviews, from one-star ratings, describe bustle and dirt around the hotel and rubbish falling from balconies without anyone stopping it. The writer says they were happy in previous years but would not recommend it this time.
What to know before you book
With such a split average score, my advice is to look carefully at what you are after.
| The good | Worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Very well-liked staff | Recent reviews criticise the noise and dirt around the building |
| Varied buffet and half board | Food is decent rather than gourmet, and some find breakfast weak |
| Beach nearby and supermarkets on hand | The walk back from the sea is uphill |
| Pool, sun terrace and daily cleaning | Rooms facing the avenue are noisy |
I would ask for an inside room to sleep better, and I would check the most recent reviews just before booking, because they are the ones that tell you how things are now.
Who I would pick it for and what to do nearby
For me, Hotel ELE Andarax is a reasonable option for families and couples who want a few beach days in Aguadulce without overspending, with food included and friendly staff. If you want a quiet hotel, a design hotel or food of a high standard, it is not your place.
From Aguadulce you can head to Almería and Roquetas by car or bus, and you have summer cinema and plenty of bars within easy reach. If your route through Andalusia calls for something quite different, look at Alojamiento los Poetas, in Baeza, or talk the idea over with your group and have a look at this other accommodation in Baeza before you decide.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
