I don't think all Barcelo Hotels are the same standard. Food good could always get something you liked, large rooms and pool was fantastic.
Air conditioning didn't work properly, was in a group and everyone was the same, also tour leader said at end of holiday. Hotel staff were not too friendly, first hotel 4* in Europe that I came accross that wouldn't take a card to accumulate everything on and had to pay up front for towel etc.

Went for two weeks with Senior Holidays . We had booked Barcelo Isla Canela but at last minute our travel agent ,( John Galligan Travel) switched us to the Porto Umbria due to problems they were encountering at the first hotel. What a fortunate switch !! This hotel was great - location and the best and most varied food you could hope for.We were sharing with a SAGA Tour and what lovely people they were I never liked Club type holidays but this was great Lovely people Great laughs and relaxing company. no problem with sun beds and caring Hotel staff coupled with lovely food and wine --Couldnt be better .

We got a great deal with Travel Senior, whch I understand was subsidised by Spanish government to encourage off peak tourism. Accommodation was 'full board' (3 meals a day). Flights, bags, transfers and 2 excurions were included and we stayed 2 weeks. The bedroom was very large and suitable. We could see no signs of the shabbiness complained of in some postings. It looks as if extensive decoration has been done.

The hotel was fairly quiet except for last weekend when Spanish came for break. It looks as if it would be very busy in Summer. My comments apply to April.

The food was very good. It was a buffet with a huge selection of food, with changes for every meal. Only one couple we met were in any way critical, and they admitted to being very conservative. ( roast, 2 veg and roast potatoes I guess)

The weather was fantastic. A couple of cloudy days, but most days were blue skys and sun all day. It was warm in the evenings, and jumpers were never worn.

The beach is long and sandy. The dunes backing it are covered in Pine woods. There are no buildings for about 12 k to the west. The woods have great walks, but beware of insect bites.

There are excursions available most days. They cost 50 euros on our package. We went to Saville ourselves by local bus (stop outside the hotel, with a change in Huelva). The trip was about half the cost of an excursion even including the open top bus tour.

There are activities most hours, and we enjoyed Boules, Archery, Air rifle shooting, tai-chi and aqua gym (all free). There is entertainment from 9 to 10 30 every night.

All in all we were delighted with our trip and would be very happy to return.

A word of warning. The wooded and bushy areas were home to biting insects. Rooms on lower floors close to these were affected. I advise bringing repellent spray, bite cream and a plug in insect deterrent. Some people are more suceptible than others. It was a topic of conversation, but we only heard one couple who would not return, because of this.

We stayed in this excellant hotel for 4 weeks with Saga. The hotel was very clean and the staff were friendly and helpful. The entertainment team was hard working and provided a selection of fun things to do every day. The food was excellent and we never tired of it, as there was always plenty of choice. Every day there was a choice of soups, meat stews ,fish dishes in sauce, there was always something vegetarian, grilled meat and fish ,pasta, rice,a good selection of vegetables, salads both dressed and plain, a selection of fruits and cheese, fresh bread all washed down with very nice wine.If you can't find anything you like out of the selection offered you would have to be very spoilt.
The locaction is perfect if you like to be outdoors, there are good easy walks in the pinewoods near the hotel, a fabulous beach at the back, accessed from a door at the bottom end of the swimming pool. If you like bird watching this is the place to be, with pine woodsand wetlandsin the near area. Donana national park is about about an hours drive away. A visit to Seville is possible ,the local bus leaves from Huelva and takes about an hour. A hire car would be useful to reach the birding areas of the odiel marshes and the lagoon at El portil and El Rompido, there is a bus service to these places but it is very limited. There are excellent bird watching trips with Saga or privately with Plateau based in Huelva, their guides are young ,enthusiastic and knowledgable.
A great holiday in a very well run hotel.