Barcelo Fuerteventura Castillo

We arrived late, about midnight. We had to wait about half hour to get seen too. No welcome drinks or positive reception. Castillo superior rooms, were not superior at all. Basic rooms and the kitchen units were peeling and had seen much better days. The bathroom units were in need of the wood being painted. We had slight mould around the bottom of the shower which isn’t good enough. We arrived late and got told snacks would be in the dining area, but most trays were empty, leaving rolls the only option. We paid a substantial amount for this holiday and were let down. No tea/coffee/or any liquids. Cleaners came every other day, and stocked water (1 bottle each) on these days. The outside table and chairs in the garden area were covered in birds poop and the floor clearly hadn’t been swept. I went to reception on 3 occasions and asked if this could be cleaned, and on the 3rd day they came. We paid for our 1st family holiday (5 rooms) 9 people. I baby age 16 months. The cocktails were slush drinks pre-made. Awful. Coke was always flat. The bar staff were so miserable even some of the dining room staff. We asked for a bottle of water for our granddaughter at the bar as the temperature was very hot most days and was told it was 2.50 euros each bottle and to use the tap. I said I thought it was all inclusive but no, not for water. I refused to buy as it was much cheaper at the local Shops. The only positive for me was the grounds, they were stunning and maintained well.

The swimming pools left a lot to be desired, as the baby pool had so many tiles missing and for tiny feet it’s dangerous, my granddaughter always had sandals on and being the only pool she could stand up in left us with little choice. The big pool constantly had this mucky, sick looking mess on the edge of the pool near the filter. The pool near the bar was lovely.

Beach towels are 10 euros each (refundable at the end of the week when handed back) only cash accepted. And you had to pay 2 euros every time you wanted a clean one. (Not refundable)

The walkway round to the games room needs repairing, plenty of missing/broken planks which could cause great damage if you should fall onto/into.

The bar they had in this hotel closed at 11 and even the dining room closed off teas/coffee machines early.

Dinner time I found a good selection although the chicken on 2 occasions were still pink. They also cooked to order so you could be waiting a while in the queue.

The bar area (poolside) is where the entertainment was in the evenings and on a half term I think the space is too small. Never enough seats. I never saw anything on in the games room even though they had a big stage with plenty of seating, I think this area is more suited to evening entertainment.

We decided to spend most nights at the sister hotel up the road “The Mar” as this had much more seating in the evening and was a lovely hotel, and the staff were much happier and helpful and the bar served amazing cocktails.

The hotel is within easy reach to the lovely sandy beach and shops and I would return to the area but not this hotel. For a Barcelo we were very disappointed.

Definitely not a 4 star. Would not go back!

Overall this was a good holiday. The location was excellent and the watersport activities for younger children and teens is also excellent. The hotel was as expected, clean and the staff were very pleasant, the rooms were interesting. The design of the bathroom was questionable, the toilet and shower is basically in the middle of the room and there was no privacy or anywhere to get changed privately. The rooms were tired but they were clean and beds comfy. The buffet restaurant was disappointing, the food was cold most days and not kept warm. The cleanliness of the restaurant is average, the staff obviously busy but the tables and chairs were dirty most mealtimes. Its a personal preference but having a self pour drinks machine would have made life easier with younger kids, due to long queues the pool bar. I would say the hotel is more a 3 star + than a 4 star, however the resort and facilities suited everyone.

We have stayed at the resort more times than I can count but I fear this may be the last. Rooms and restaurant are tatty and in need of updating. One of our party found a love maggot in a fish dish! The air conditioning in our room did not work and despite having a maintenance man out on the second day, it did not get fixed. This then made for a very uncomfortable nights sleep. Some of the snack and drink facilities have been removed or moved and this is detrimental to the experience. Children’s entertainment in the evening has declined.