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Police remove tape at Benalmádena hotel after days of confusion
The Vivemar Hotel has reopened to guests, despite its pending regional registration and ongoing investigations
This Monday June 23, Local Police lifted the seal on the four star Vivemar Hotel in Benalmádena, reopening its usual entrances after sealing it off last Tuesday. The hotel had been shut down for operating without official registration in the Andalusian Regional Government’s tourist accommodation registry, despite hosting over 200 guests at 98% occupancy.The City Council made its decision after the operating company submitted a “declaration of responsibility” stating a change of ownership had taken place so that hotel operations could restart. This formality allows the seal to be lifted, though the Andalusian government confirms that official registration is still pending.
During the closure, guests accessed the premises via the car park, and meals and pool services continued uninterrupted. From today, they can once again use the main lobby and public areas as normal.
Earlier this week, several guests described their experience as odd. A couple from Seville arriving last Friday with their baby were caught off guard.
“The first impression was very bad. We were going to leave, but we had a reservation and they charged us the money,” said Isidro Álvarez. “They should have at least informed us or not taken reservations.”
His partner, María Paz González shared his frustration, saying, “I wasn’t very happy about it. We didn’t know anything, and they informed us when we arrived and saw the sealed door.” The car park “isn’t marked either, so we didn’t know where to enter,” she added.
Meanwhile, visitors from Zaragoza told reporters they found entrances taped off and had to navigate via secondary routes. José Miguel García said, “It’s like a scavenger hunt just to get out.”
He added there were “no problems moving around, just getting out, which is a bit strange” because guests had to pass through a section under construction.
According to a council statement, the full reopening follows the submission of new documentation. The City Council noted it will “review the declaration of compliance, which communicates the change of ownership, exercising the legally granted control and inspection powers.”
Hotel manager Alberto Tusquellas previously explained that the registration was revoked due to an “administrative problem” under the previous management. He confirmed the current operator, Vive Resort Management SL, holds the operating contract and has submitted “all the necessary documentation” to regain registration. This includes a declaration of compliance, a certificate of continued operation, and payment of the relevant fee.
However, Carlos García, the Regional Government’s delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport in Málaga, stated this morning that the hotel’s formal registration remains pending. He added that the declaration of responsibility was incomplete and that regional inspectors have been on site reviewing the situation. As registration is not yet finalised, García emphasised that “in principle” the hotel should not be delivering services, attributing responsibility to “those providing the service.”
In the background, the hotel’s owner is pursuing legal action over an alleged unlawful transfer of the sub lease contract and possible document falsification relating to the facility’s management.
Image: Google Maps
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