I have been staying here for 6 years even prior to Melìa taking over ownership when it was the Hotel Beatris. Year on year we have seen a gradual decline in the hotel. This is no longer a 4 star hotel. The reception area and restaurant remain pleasant, much of that is the interaction we have with staff who are great.
However, for a 4 star hotel there are 2 serious issues that need addressing. The rooms are now very tired looking and do not reflect the price Melia commands for them. For example our room had graffiti writing on the wallpaper at the entrance of the room, the bathroom door was ripped and broken badly on the bottom corner and the shower leaked badly. Unless rooms are updated and refreshed we will not repeat our stay next time (Easter). Or prices must decrease, which I imagine is highly unlikely. Bathrooms that once supplied complimentary items by the sink such as shampoo and conditioner, useful for a late night arrival seem to have vanished (again is this the standard of a 4 star hotel). Another problem that has encroached over our years here is charges for items you normally associate with a 4 star hotel as being part of the service. Being charged to use a safe in the room and a kettle per day is frankly ridiculous and is purely a money making scheme and should not be reflective of a 4 star hotel. Charging for our pool towel to be exchanged for a fresh one is something that I feel is incredibly poor from Melìa and again another thinly veiled shakedown of guests paying top dollar to stay already as it is. 4 star hotel rooms without mini-fridges to keep water cool is incredibly frustrating and needs to be addressed. Although the most impressive ploy to obtain guests money has to be the seaview charge. €25 per night. Outrageous. Since it has become policy we have never had a seaview balcony, even when staff have stated that the hotel is not fully booked. For the first 3 stays here we had seaviews wothout charge, all we gad to do was request it however since the charge has come in not one room with a seaview since.
Typically we stay for 7 nights at a time and to be asked for a further €175 for a seaview leaves a bitter taste. Upon arrival guests were given a glass of sparkling wine, which after a very long journey was a lovely gesture. This hasn't been the case for years although one suspects a possible money making opportunity if it is to be re-introduced. Maybe as part of the €25/night seaview package possibly?
While Melìa likes to market itself as an incredible destination stay it really is not reflected in the actual experience. I really don't like to complain but year on year returns since 2013 have seen a descent into a tiring hotel with a lack of upkeep. Melìa really cannot justify the exorbitant pricing it charges for the Sol Costa Atlantis.
Despite all the extra charges the cost of room rental has not dropped and actually risen over time I have stayed here. It all feels like a cynical attempt at extracting as much money from the guest as possible and I can wholeheartedly say Melìa have lost sight of guest experience in the meantime; obviously in their never ending quest for increased profits. My check in is now bombarded with prices and policies that should be gratuities associated with a 4 star hotel. It all feels a bit Ryanair.