I stayed at Monica Beach from 7th to 21st December 2009. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for a friendly 3 star hotel, with good value for money. This was my second stay there. I booked the holiday online with Travel Republic. Their website is very easy to use. I use Travel Republic for all my holidays now.
Monica Beach is definitely a 3 star hotel. If you want 4 star, go next door to the flashy Costa Calma Palace, but expect to pay twice as much for half board there as for all-inclusive at Monica Beach.
I particularly liked:
Good location, with easy access to the town beach, probably the best beach access in Costa Calma. The town beach is clothes on, the beaches beyond are all clothing optional. Most of us look better with some clothes on!
Good restaurant, plenty of space, good choice of tasty food. I was on my own. Breakfast and lunch you sit anywhere. In the evening, you sit at numbered tables. Singles are seated on a table for six and soon make friends.
Very good service, rooms are cleaned every day. Each cleaner has to clean 23 rooms every day! All the staff were very friendly, helpful and hard working. Do try to use some Spanish phrases, it makes such a difference.
Room was OK, with a nice balcony and clothes drying rails. If you're not happy with your room when you arrive, ask for another, and be persistant.
The rooms are showing their age and maybe need some updating, but remember this is a 3 star hotel.
The pool area is pleasant, just mind your head on the low thatched roofs around the pool, they are rather low. Free drinks all day. The Africa Bar is good for watching volleyball on the beach.
Many of the guests said they stay at Monica Beach year after year. Most of the guests during the first week of my stay were German. You have to make an effort, but the Germans are OK, once you get to know them. Try to learn a few German phrases. I took the Lonely Planet German phrase book. You really do not want to be the only Brit in a hotel full of Germans, as I was last year at Sunrise Jandia. That was a dismal experience. There were quite a few Brits at Monica Beach during my stay. Second week the hotel was full of Spanish families there for Christmas. Again, learn a bit of Spanish and you'll get on fine.
Monica Beach has a warm friendly atmosphere. You are welcome to use the facilities at any of the six Sunrise Beach hotels in Costa Calma, if you have an orange all-inclusive wristband. The Palace Hotel next door is also part of SBH Group.
What to do in Costa Calma? Most people come for the beach, which is the best you'll ever see. There's a continuous procession of people walking along the water's edge all day. You can spend a day walking all the way to Morro Jable, and then bus back to Costa Calma.
I rented a mountain bike for two weeks from Volcano Bikes, ask hotel for details. Ralph from Volcano delivers your bike to the hotel. Without some wheels you really are confined to the hotels area. You can rent a car at Monica Beach, and see more of the island; or visit Oasis Park, theme park 10 minutes away by free bus. The African Market on Wednesday and Sunday mornings is a 10-minute walk away, and is OK for one visit. Most visitors find a week in Costa Calma enough.
So, give it a go and enjoy your holiday at Monica Beach. Just writing this makes me want to go there again!