First of all the reception not at all helpful..rather snooty and .didn't provide any explanations for dining or for towels (10€ deposit for each) and we had to make all inquiries ourselves...then the bar..... waited a half an hour for a pitcher of sangria while the "all inclusive" passed gigantic orders for the pool....and the cost of sangria is normally 8€50 on the menu but charged 15€ on the cash register! We chose half board, and while the food was not too bad, the service was terrible! leaving plates stacked on the table at dinner and at breakfast.....and long waiting cues..... and when we wanted to know the price for a glass of wine, the waiter insisted that it was included, but when he asked me to sign the check I asked why and he said that it was for only "control purposes'...only to find out that in fact it was billed to our room! After we took our showers, after walking just a few minutes barefooted in our room, our feet were filthy and the furniture was dusty as well. To top this off; after filling out a complaint sheet at the reception the day of our departure and paying the bill for the 4 glasses of wine that I and my friends had ordered, I forgot my sunglasses, only to return 10 minutes later and to be told "I saw your husband take them, why dont ou ask him!!" These were in fact a pair of Dior value 250€! And the hotel is very far from the beach and everything except maybe the golf course. Internet payant....1€ for 10 minutes w/o adsl!! Parking payant 14 €

The hotel is beautiful and has a lovely breakfast buffet. There is a golf course right there and a driving range, which was great. That's about it. The hotel staff were unpleasant and unhelpful. We soon found out that the hotel caters mostly to Spanish families and come midnight on our first night when we wanted to have a drink and play a game of pool we were still surrounded by noisy screaming broods of children run wild. Completely ruined it for me and I couldn't wait to check out. The location is not great, especially if you have not rented a car. If you have a car it is still a good distance to drive to the centre of Marbella or Peurto Banus and then to find parking! Good beach at San Pedro, but also a drive. There is very little within walking distance.

Quite a distance from Malaga airport. Got a public bus to Marbella which was situated directly outside the airport - 4.31 euros each but be prepared to queue. We got there in time but bus filled quickly so we had to wait an hour and a half for the next one. Although apparently during summer months the buses run every 45 minutes. From Marbella we then got a taxi to the hotel - 25 euros. A taxi from the airport to the hotel will cost 75 euros.

Hotel is on the outskirts of a town called San Pedro. It is situated in a residential area with absolutely nothing within walking distance except a small bar called Max's (out of the hotel and turn left and then next right, you will see a sign) - seriously, not even a small shop, bus stop - nothing! Ideal if all you want to do is nothing and that's ok during the day but of an evening it is nice to wander about or do something. The hotel had no entertainment what so ever. In fact, it was almost empty. We were only there 3 nights and 2 of those we dined in the dining room alone!! Not surprising with the location. We got a taxi into Puerto Banus a couple of times and fares ranged from 9 euros to 12 euros one way.

Staff were pleasant except for one barman/manager (we weren't sure what he was) called Pedro who was so abrupt and rude, not so much to us but we watched him several times and he was very disrespectful to some guests. The other staff as I said were pleasant but not a lot of conversation or banter from them.

Food very expensive - 24 euros for 2 burgers and chips!! But as there isn't anywhere else to go for lunch in the immediate area we had no other choice. Thankfully we were on half board and the food in the dining room was lovely, the usual buffet arrangement, but was very acceptable. There was a choice of meats each night which the chef cooked fresh after you choose what you wanted but I would imagine that wouldn't happen in peak season.

The rooms were spacious and comfortable. However the bathroom smelt fusty and the shower enclosure needed a good dose of bleach and a good scrub. The grout was disgusting and really only need a good cleaning. If we had have been there any longer I would have asked to get changed to another room.

Overall I wouldn't return due to the location and the lack of entertainment. It may suit some but not us.

We had a lovely relaxing break at the Barcelo in October. The hotel is a little out of the way and I would say not much going on for families. However, as this was our first trip abroad without our children who are now grown up, it was very quiet and relaxing. We were on a special offer of full board but just couldn't manage a 5 course lunch then buffet dinner.

You will probably need a car and there is an underground car park in the hotel - use it as the locals park nearby and there have been situations whereby holidaymakers have had parking tickets given to them. It's a bit steep at 10 Euros a day but better safe than sorry. Rooms have Internet connection which is great but you will need an Ethernet line.

Made full use of the room fridge by stocking up with drinks etc. Take a travel kettle with you if you like your tea/coffee as none provided in room. Like everywhere on the continent nowadays, drinks in the hotel bar are EXPENSIVE. 5 Euros for a beer of glass or wine.

The golf course surrounding the hotel is nothing to do with them and is for private members and again very expensive. The hotel reception have contacts and deals with other courses nearby.

To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxing chill out by a pool, reading books for a week, in a lovely 4 star hotel with nice food, then this is a great place to go. Staff are also very helpful and polite.

Oh.... by the way, we were so pleased with our stay that we have already booked to go again next April.