Quite deservedly one of the leading hotels of the world

This hotel is really special. All good things which have been said already so many times are absolutely true. The hotel itself is spacious, the rooms were very comfortable, and all was very well maintained. The staff are professional and polite, and nothing is too much trouble. It was our first time at the hotel, but it was self evident that many were returning guests, the majority seemed split fairly evenly from the UK, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and of course Spain. The gardens are worthy of particular note. The outside swimming pool is enormous, of a good depth, filtered so the water is always clean, and contrary to the last review heated to 27 degrees. There's an abundance of quality sun loungers, towels, and umbrellas, which are brought to you and arranged how you like them as soon as you arrive. It's probably the best outdoor pool I've enjoyed. The pool is open to all, children and adults, and there's a separate paddling pool. Apart from the swimming pool and terrace, the gardens themselves are very extensive, with delightful plants, foliage and views. There's a large lake with two resident black swans who the hotel feed each day, and benches dotted around to have a snooze, or just sit and enjoy the wonderful setting. However to be honest the main purpose of this review is to say how unfair the comments of the last reviewer are. It's true that the spa is restricted to age 16 and over, and this includes both the indoor spa area and pool and the outside heated pool and jacuzzi in the spa area. This is however made clear on the hotel's website. The spa is clearly aimed at an adult ambience. That's not to say children aren't welcome in the hotel - they are - and there were several children there during our stay. If that extends to the hotel taking exception at teenagers carting off and tormenting the swans, and forbidding the use of water toys, and all other Inge complained of, then all credit to them. It seems to me to be common sense to read the hotel's web site as to the facilities available whoever you book with particularly if you have children, and also that if you want a lively whooping and hooping family holiday to pick somewhere which caters for this. This is not sour grapes against children, its just to make the point that this hotel is mainly geared to an adult experience, and that should be clear to anyone with half an brain when they book.