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I've got to say, this was one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. The value for money is incredible, they have lodge style rooms, so ground floor level, walk in straight from your vehicle with your bags which I love, not having to schlep our bags through the hotel. The rooms are amazingly well equipped and very nice, loads of cushions, all you would expect from a class hotel and ours had a veranda with a table and chairs, then the extras, a Fridge, coffee machine :) with pods, great TV, great wifi, little toiletries and to top it off a robe and slippers (guess this was for the pool but too cold for the pool for me in January) The staff were very, very helpful, kind and caring, the bar etc is lovely to sit in and have a tipple, we didn't use the casino as this was a work trip but we certainly would go back and stay again and maybe try the casino :)

I would like to say, despite all the big talk from other hotels in the area, this small but very friendly and cute hotel is my favourite. I am from Florida in the U.S. and am used to staying at some very grand hotels but Encinar is just so cute and even more welcoming, I would advise anyone visiting Sotogrande to stay here. That's the good news. However, my rating is just for the hotel and not the area. Other than the great golf courses, there is nothing about Sotogrande that fits the descriptions you read about in the magazines or Google or the advertisements by the realtors. In fact much of what they say is untrue. In particular, although Hotel Encinar is peaceful, Sotogrande, in general is a very noisy place. I have stayed in the hills where building work, cranes and heavy vehicles cause a lot of unwanted noise, unbearable noise that seems to never stop. Much worse than that is in the port where my friends live. They have two houses they are trying to sell and cannot sell because of the continuous noise from the very loud machinery that is used by the gardeners who are relentless, starting at 8 every morning and going on and on all day, every day of the week. Sure they make it look pretty but it's not worth it, the noise never stops. My friends are fraught with stress due to this and the other noise from the private swimming pools all around the resort that are full of screaming children playing with inflatables. No one every does anything about it. The security is just 1 car that goes around but there is no security on foot. They are not able to take their young children even for a walk as most of the roads are built only for cars, there are no sidewalks, only drains or the road (where cars and motorcycles speed) to walk in. The summer in Sotogrande is unbearable now because they have booming, ear-piercing music from live concerts and DJ's that perform from midnight to 6am all through the summer. This place is anything but tranquil. The bars and restaurants are nothing special and there is nothing else to do but play golf. There are no places of interest. You can't get out anywhere without a car, there are no trains and barely a bus. Don't believe what you read about this place. Maybe sixty years ago it was OK but it's now become unbearable. All the people from Marbella descend in Sotogrande for the concerts then hundreds and hundreds of people walk around the beach and streets in the early hours drunk and looking revolting, doing things that make my stomach churn. I feel very sorry for all the property owners who thought they had made a good investment and are now driven from their homes by the downfall of this place. This year was the worst yet. I was talking to some business owners in the nearby village who have had to move away due to the influx of people and the unbelievable noise. Next year, I shall be staying in Malaga and driving down for the golf. I

First time visitors, 5 people Oct. Would I stay here again? Yes Receptionist was lovely and helpful even after some confusion over the booking she was calm and worked well with us. Apartment was exactly as described. It’s in a gated complex so safe and peaceful. Only a very short stroll down the hill to an array of restaurants and pubs. Plenty to keep you amused. Right next to a picturesque beach. Apartment was clean (room 211), beds were comfy, showers powerful and warm, balcony huge with nice seating. Kitchen had everything you could need. Lovely apartments for a get away as has pool, beach, restaurants and are comfy.

We stayed at this hotel due to our travel plan. Did not like the experience at all. They do not recognize your GHA Discovery status and provide no benefits at all. The receptionist was very rude to us and claimed that she was tired, I told her we would like to check in and she looked at us and said ”what name?” Am I checking into a 4-star NH branded hotel or a hostal? LOL. The first room we got had strong cigarette smell and we had to ask to change the room. The food we ordered was cold and the chicken fillet was dry as if it was made in a microwave. The breakfast did not offer a lot of variety. Will not return.

I decided after Stay 1 I wouldn't mind coming back... and in truth I did return later that week. So I was a repeat customer. Positives: -offered 2 PM late checkout as IHG Platinum -rooms are quiet -price was great and I got to earn IHG points Negatives: -no conditioner provided in the shower (if you're only going to provide two bottles in the shower to save on cost, make one conditioner!) -the mattress, a Pikolin, was definitely a budget mattress for a domestic audience. In the US, that mattress would be a problem for the hotel. Very, very hard. -they should install a credit card reader for their vending machine. I know Spain is a little behind on going 100% cashless, but I saw credit card readers on vending machines elsewhere so I think they would see the benefits of doing so. -they should just charge for parking. It's ”free” as it is, but most nights I could not get a spot and had to go into the neighborhood looking for one. -AC turns off after 10 hours regardless of what you do. So if you turn it on at 8 PM for an evening, it will turn off at 6 AM while you are still asleep, waking you up in a sweaty mess.