Iberostar Selection Jardin del Sol Suites

We recently returned from a 10-night stay at this hotel and we had a lovely time here. Definitely would not hesitate to return.

On arrival into the reception area you are immediately greeted by large windows which overlook Santa Ponsa bay. We were given a complimentary glass of mimosa each and checked-in promptly by a friendly receptionist.

We were on the top floor which is on the same level as the reception in a standard room. The room was spacious and the view from the balcony was amazing. The room was cleaned daily and towels were refreshed each day. Our only small niggles were that the toilet was positioned very close to the shower, the wardrobe did not have a section tall enough for hanging long dresses and storage space was minimal. Additionally, the bathtub in the room looked old and grubby.

We stayed half-board and could not fault the food. We felt that the options available at breakfast were fantastic. Each evening there was a different theme. The only shame is that the evening themes repeat each week rather than changing on a two-week rotation. We really appreciated the flexibility of being able to swap our evening meal for lunch on days when we had plans to eat out in the evening.

Another lovely touch was that even as half-board guests, we were given a different cocktail for free most days, sometimes during the day and sometimes in the evening.

The pool was clean and a decent size, and having direct access to the sea for swimming was a lovely bonus. Sunbeds did tend to fill up by around 10am. We could never tire of the stunning views from the pool area.

There is a supermarket just a five-minute walk from the hotel, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants nearby. There is also a coastal path nearby that takes you into the main part of Santa Ponsa, which is around a 15–20 minute walk away. Santa Ponsa itself was not quite to our taste, we found it had a very touristy feel. In places it reminded us a little of Benidorm. However, we did find some lovely restaurants to eat at.

We liked that the hotel had water filters to refill bottles and we found the Iberostar app useful. Whenever we wanted to swap our evening meal for lunch, I just messaged reception through the app that morning and they immediately sorted it for us. The app was also really useful for keeping track of our bill, as we could check our food and drink charges after ordering.

Finally, all of the staff were incredibly hardworking and friendly. They definitely contributed to our enjoyable stay.

Overall, I would say this is a good hotel, although I left with somewhat mixed feelings. The rooms and all common areas were very clean and well maintained. The hotel itself is pleasant, and the food was also quite good, with plenty of choice. Overall, in terms of cleanliness, facilities and general standards, there is not much to complain about. The absolute highlight of my stay was the staff. Everyone I met was smiling, friendly, helpful and genuinely welcoming. The service was definitely one of the strongest points of the hotel, and the staff deserve a lot of credit for making the stay enjoyable. However, despite everything being good on paper, I somehow felt that the hotel was missing that special something. It lacked the atmosphere that makes you feel sad to leave and immediately start thinking about when you can come back. Unfortunately, I did not have that feeling here. My biggest disappointment was the room. I booked a Junior Suite in the Star Prestige area with a direct sea view, and the sea view was one of the main reasons why I chose and paid extra for this particular room category. However, I was given a room on the third floor where the main view was more towards the swimming pool, while the view of the sea was significantly obstructed by a wall and trees. For a room advertised and sold as having a direct sea view, especially in the Star Prestige category and at this price level, I expected a much clearer and more open view of the sea. Another downside was the lack of privacy on the balcony. Due to the layout and connection between the balconies, it is quite easy to see onto the neighbouring balcony, and your neighbours can do the same. I did not find this particularly comfortable. Again, considering that this was a Junior Suite in the Star Prestige area, I would have expected a much greater sense of privacy. The Star Prestige area itself is pleasant and provides a quieter and more exclusive environment. However, after experiencing it for the whole stay, I am not entirely convinced that the additional cost is justified by what you actually receive. Overall, this is a good, clean and well-maintained hotel with tasty food and, above all, fantastic staff. I do not regret staying here, and there were many aspects of the hotel that I genuinely enjoyed.