Stayed for a week on half Board.

The area in which this hotel is located does is not a major Tourist spot, the town itself is very quiet which may suit some, but there is little to do outside of the hotel unless yo are prepared to drive along the coast to other small fishing villages such as Rompido, or for longer journey into Huelva or further to Seville.

Regards the Hotel
Positives:
Location - rear of hotel looks out to beach after Pool and small gardens area, then across a small woodland area through which is a timber pathway to the beach front, so no roads in the way.
The Beach - unspoilt and was not crowded when we were there.
The bathroom in our room (3rd floor) was a very good size with a bath and walk in shower room, double sink area and generally roomy.
Pool was big although cold (some may like that in the intense heat)
Food - Buffet style breakfast and evening meal was very good, although if gets to busy potential for issues re clearing of tables and crowded at food areas. Good selection of foods, had sushi chef and chef specialising in Indian style food also most nights aswell as standard selections of meats and fish cooked for you. Sufficient selection for vegetarians.
Spa - in basement there is a spa which has sauna, steam, plunge pool, range of power showers, small jacuzzi. In the main quite good, relatively well equipped Gym. Good range of treatments, massages etc, similar to UK prices.

Negatives
Insufficient numbers of staff which had impact re not always helpful.
Expect guests to pay for beach loungers which with a 5 star hotel given the price should be complementary
There is a very small eatery at the beach front when you emerge from the path at back of hotel. This is not sufficiently staffed, and would quickly become overcrowded with an increase in numbers. Again lack of staff here creates potential problems regards expectations of 5 star service given that it is part of the hotel. Also it is to expensive
Cost at hotel - overpriced, also in relation to price of drinks etc, they are certainly overpriced. there is a small bar by the Pool does some food, very limited and again that is over priced for what it is.

General comment: Position at rear of hotel is very good and when you arrive at the front which is relativel small with no where for a car to pull up in front you could get concerned given that it is a 5* hotel. Food was very good. If you have a car and intend travelling then fine, if not will be very quite and laid back. a lot of Spanish at the hotel, if not Spanish then German, as a result English not spoken as matter of course, reflected in TV channels, all Spanish and German. For the price I expected more, also as a 5* expect more re service, complementaries. Also got a sense from the Spanish there that not as welcoming as Costa Del Sol area, perhaps that is because they do not want this area to become like that?

The positives:
- good, spacious pool areas
- easy access to beach
- great views to beach from rear of hotel
- friendly reception and restaurant staff
- good variety and quality of food
- good evening entertainment (free)

The negatives:
- pool freezing (including the children pool)
- no entertainment or play facilities or toys for children or adults in any areas (hotel or pool)
- no creche or child care services
- rooms looked tired and basic furnishings
- no complementaries in the rooms (not what you expect for a five star price)
- TV channels limited (no high-speed internet access in rooms)
- only one PC for guest use in the whole hotel!! (constantly busy as you can imagine)
- restaurant times limited (not enough flexibility for a five star!)
- room service menu limited
- hotel parking was expensive
- the sun beds at the hotel beach area were very expensive for Spain (should be free for guests of this five star hotel)

In summary, we enjoyed our stay and met some very nice people but they all had similar negative comments. The hotel should be rated as a four star hotel (although the restaurant food quality probably rates as five star). There are, however, none of the frills and high class services that you would expect from a five star. There are also too few staff in the hotel so you are constantly waiting.

Would not pay the price again. Go to a Parador!

My husband and I have just spent a wonderful week here. We had 5 star service from start to finish.We parked outside the hotel door, and our suitcases were whisked up to our rooms as we checked in. All the staff, from the chambermaids up to management were SO helpful, and so friendly. We loved every minute of it! The room had a fabulous view from the balcony, of the pool and the sea, and it was really peaceful. The hotel was luxurious, spotlessly clean, and had everything we needed for a relaxing spa break.
The buffet breakfast was spectacular, and the restaurant staff couldn't have been better. We didn't eat again until the evening! There was lots of choice for the generous buffet dinner, and for a very reasonable price we had an amazing meal in the a la carte restaurant.
The long beach, which is just a few yards away, through the pine trees, is beautifully clean, fine sand. The hotel has a beach bar, and free sunbeds.
We couldn't fault the hotel. WOW!!

We were very impressed with the look of the hotel. It was finished to a very high standard. The rooms were comfortable and well equiped, the staff helpful and the food excellent. The pool was large and clean though rather cold and the beach had soft sand. We enjoyed the walk through the pines to the beach. We have no complaints about the hotel at all just the area it is situated in. It was quite a distance from Isla Cristina town - okay as long as you have good walking shoes - and a very unattractive walk. There was a lot of graffiti on unfinished apartments and shops. It was as if a lot of money was spent on building up the area and the money ran out and it was just left.

We stayed for a week and were house hunting so had plenty to occupy us but unless you were on honeymoon or a short business stay it would not be a suitable venue.