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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Is Fuengirola nice? Or chavvy?

24 replies

Pinkjenny · 09/04/2008 14:11

About to book a hol to Fuengirola for dh and I, plus 11mo dd and my parents. I didn't like Benalmadena (sp). The hotel is called Florida Spa. Anyone any experience? Am not a snob, honest...

OP posts:
eternalstudent · 09/04/2008 14:14

Lots of old folk. We went to stay with friends a bit up the road in Feb a couple of years ago but had to do a runner when she turned into a nutter so went to fuengirola. OK if you like egg n chips. And beer. If you aren't a snob you'll be fine, but it is very.... oh wait... I'm thinking of Torremolinos. Suspect they are much the same.

dirtygertiefromnumber30 · 09/04/2008 14:17

ive visted the zoo in fuengirola, its AMAZING.

The place itself is a bit 'brits in spain' but it's OK as far as i remember.

If you hire a car there are loads of lovely places around andalucia though.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 09/04/2008 14:43

I do like egg and chips. Thanks dirty - not sure my nerves could stand driving abroad though, and my mother's definitely couldn't. Am happy to do 'brits in spain' just don't want to do 'dirty' or 'smelly' or 'dull'.

We had originally wanted to go to a villa - until we saw the prices.

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Hulababy · 09/04/2008 14:50

I went there for the day whilst in the region a couple of weeks ago. Sorry to say that I thought it was horrid. I did see that hotel on the front though and that did look nice fromt he outside. But the actual resort was like a tacky seaside place, full of everything "Brits abroad". Sorry to sound so negative, but we got there, stayed an hour and went aain. Torremolinous was a bit better, but still very much "Brits abroad" and very little Spanish stuff. And eating out there was awful in our experience.

Peurto Marina and Peruto Banus (sp?) are both lovely. I also like Marbella.

oliviaelanasmum · 09/04/2008 14:53

I took the dd's to fuerngirola zoo at xmas which was lovely, but the town itself i wasn't impressed with. We were staying outside benalmadena which was quite nice.

TotalChaos · 09/04/2008 14:54

my mum's been there and didn't mind it so I don't think it's that bad. she managed to get to Granada from there too.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 09/04/2008 14:55

I am freaking out now. I will never find a holiday. Ever. Hula - can't afford Puerto Banus.

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Hulababy · 09/04/2008 14:57

Yes, it was rather expensive visiting there even. Think it was about £4 for a lemonade in one cafe bar!

I would definitely have to have a car or look into public transport - there is a station there I think. I ouldn't spend the whole week in te resort and would have to be out and about a lot.

Weather was fab however.

Amapoleon · 09/04/2008 15:09

Fuengirola is a bit of both. The old town is good and there are loads of shops. Yes you do get the egg and chip brigade but there is a lot to do there and nearby.

The zoo is great, there is a dolphinarium, Tivoli world [little theme park, cable cars, very close to Malaga, benalmadena port is nice and has a sealife centre . Worth a trip to selwo [estepona] it's a sort of Safari park which you go round on trucks. it's in a good location to get to other places, Nerja, mijas village etc
I live about 40 mins away, so if you need any advice let me know.

Puerto banus is horrible.

Amapoleon · 09/04/2008 15:10

Oops just read your dd is 11 months, so not all the activities I suggested would be of much use !

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 09/04/2008 15:11

Thanks Amapoleon - do you know the Florida hotel at all? I'm a bit concerned about booking something that is rubbish and then getting the blame!

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Notquitegrownup · 09/04/2008 15:15

Am I allowed to recommend other websites? Try tripadvisor.com They have forums for every resort in the world now, I think and someone will have been to that hotel. I found it a really useful site when planning a holiday with little ones.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 09/04/2008 15:17

I've had a quick look notquite - but there is always two or three on there that are really scathing, and loads that are fine. Its just that the scathing ones criticise the important stuff like food quality and entertainment.

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Hulababy · 09/04/2008 15:17

Oh I really liked Peurto Banus - the people watching was fab. And we had a good time wandering round the expensive shops and doing a spot of window shopping. The girls enjyed playing on the beach there too, was very warm when we went.

dirtygertiefromnumber30 · 09/04/2008 15:22

ah, amapoleon - it was selwo safari park i was thinking of that was amazing.

we did visit fuengirola zoo though and saw the dolphins etc. That was nice too

BoysAreLikeDogs · 09/04/2008 15:23

Mijas village is lovely, up in the mountains, Fuengirola is a bit 'Brits abroad' but parts of it are lovely. The food there is varied, there are three or four streets packed full of restaurants, from fish and chips, 'Oirish' pubs, to Argentinian

Marbella Old Town is good for a day trip, the central plaza is beautiful.

Be warned, the main coast road is LETHAL, very very dangerous

cardy · 09/04/2008 15:27

Very much like Torremolinos. Admittedly it was 1988 when I went! I loved it because there were lots of bars and clubs but I wouldn't go there now.

Why didn't you like Benalmadena? I think they are similar.

Hulababy · 09/04/2008 15:33

Which part is Benalmedia? Is that were Peurto Marina is? If so we went here 2 or 3 times, it is a lovely little port and has some really nice places to eat. The beach is great too. Yes, it has some of the tat shps/stalls but much much less, and def seemed a more pleasant place.

We stayed inland, about 30 min from Malaga airport. The driving was very straight forward. We used the main roads and the coastal roads with no problems at all.

Amapoleon · 09/04/2008 18:34

I don't know any hotels, sorry but I use trip advisor. what sort of holiday are you looking for? Perhaps I could recommend a different area.
Hula, I think the port you are taking about is the one in Benalmadena.

Hulababy · 09/04/2008 20:38

Thought so - it was really nice there.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 10/04/2008 11:34

Dad has seriously vetoed the idea. Describing it as 'muck'. Nice.

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Amapoleon · 10/04/2008 11:44

Have you thought about the Costa De la Luz?

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 10/04/2008 12:34

No - will look into it

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triffictits · 10/05/2008 12:41

i went and hated it there

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