Hotel Servigroup Galua

Jutting out from a headland on La Manga del Mar Manor, the sea is visible from pretty much every part of the Servigroup Galua, and the hotel makes the most of it, with vast sheets of glass providing panoramic sea views. Interiors, although bright and airy from these windows and an abundance of white marble, are pretty dated, with blue wicker seating topped by old-fashioned yellow cushions in the lobby. The same rattan furniture can be found in the hotel’s bar, along with clashing square pleather armchairs in bright green, orange, and white. The hotel’s restaurant is a bare space with terra-cotta tiles and plain wooden tables. Outside, a large pool is set on a terrace overlooking the Atlantic. Clientele are tourists looking for an uncomplicated beach vacation. 

Set on a headland jutting out into the Atlantic from La Manga del Mar Menor -- the narrow isthmus that separates the Mar Menor from the ocean -- the Servigroup Galua is pretty much surrounded by the sea. It’s a two-minute walk to the nearest beach on the Atlantic side, while the Dosmares Beach and the calmer waters of the Mar Menor are a 10-minute walk away on the other side of the isthmus. La Manga is a small, touristy town with a number of shops, bars, and restaurants. The salt marshes at the northern end of the Mar Menor are designated as a nature reserve, and are home to a number of rare birds and brightly colored flamingos; they're about a 40-minute drive away. Expect a 30- to 35-minute transfer time to Murcia-San Javier airport by car. Meanwhile, Alicante Airport is an 80- to 90-minute drive.

The hotel’s 194 rooms all have sea views, but they're dated, with tile floors, magnolia or peach walls, and wood furniture featuring painted blue accents. Double rooms have space for a double bed or two single beds, a desk that doubles as a flat-screen TV stand, and little else, while panoramic-view rooms are slightly larger and add an armchair. Unfortunately, not all rooms have balconies. Lower-category bathrooms are outfitted with blue tiles, a shower cubicle with a rainfall showerhead, hairdryer, and toiletries. Junior Suites, meanwhile, are far larger, with a separate bedroom and seating area with two armchairs. They also have bigger bathrooms with a dual sink, shower/tub combo, and a bidet. All rooms have a safe, mini-fridge, and free Wi-Fi, but no kettle.

The Servigroup Galua's most popular feature is its ocean-view sunny pool terrace, which houses a good-sized pool and a separate kiddy pool. A spa has treatment rooms for massages and wellness therapies, as well as a hydrotherapy tub and a sauna. Additionally, there's a small but decently equipped gym with a treadmill, cycle, and cross-trainer, as well as a weight machine and and dumbbells. The on-site buffet restaurant serves three meals a day, which receive positive reviews for quality and variety. Drinks and light snacks are also available at the bar. A kids’ club runs throughout high season, and there's both an indoor and outdoor play space. The animation team puts on shows every evening. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel.