"We were only here for one night (thank goodness). We like to end our holiday with a couple of hotel stays.
Firstly there were a couple of positives, the restaurant was lovely and the overall view was great too(but the balcony too small and shaded to enjoy this positive). The light on the sink mirror (cant call it a bathroom) had good lighting.
The negatives:
We have stayed with Barcelo (as recent as a couple of nights earlier at Playa Blanca) before and expected similar quality and rooms, especially for the price we paid (£210 for one night), I am sorry, but it does not compare.
Parking was difficult and we had to park by the Grand Hotel (where we have stayed before and was cheaper and far better)
First thoughts - the room was very small - when we checked the map of the fire evacuations we realised just how much smaller our room was than the others! Room 2014. We had reserved a deluxe room - the room was not like the images on the website and I wouldnt class as deluxe!
It also had an odd smell which I though may be chlorine for the hot tub - I now think it might be refrigerant from the air conditioning.
Bathroom facilities:
The toilet cubicle only just fitted the toilet in. It was a bit of a tight squeeze shutting the door - ie not a lot of room between the toilet and the door to turn around in to shut the door. (Im just an average size!)
The shower looked warn with green on the shower head, damaged panel and leaked, badly! There was a slight gap between the plastic seal on the door and the front panel. During my shower (just before we were due to check out), unbeknown to me the water was leaking out of this gap and allover the bedroom floor.
My husband did slip on the floor, he wasnt injured, but it was painful and he did get a bruise on his back and elbow.
I did try and mop it up, with the towels, but there was too much to completely dry. I left a chair in front and a note to make housekeeping aware as I didnt want them to slip as well. I also mentioned this to a lady in uniform outside and reception to avoid any further accidents.
The shower is frosted, but you can still see through - not an issue for us, but might be for friends who arent in a relationship
There was no bathroom, just a sink between the entrance and the bed, this was tiny, with a minimal amount of space for any toiletries.
The Balcony - this was tiny - simply room for a table and two chairs. Also due to its location it was shaded by other neighbouring buildings and the rooms next door - all the other rooms we could see had far larger balconies (which as larger were shading ours). On arrival, it was in the shade, at 8am the following morning, all but your head was in the shade. We didnt sit outside on the balcony as shaded, even though it was a particularly sunny day.
The hot tub - was on a different balcony (just room for the hot tub and a washing line - my husband likened it to a utility area) which overlooked another hotel and rusty air-conditioning units. There was also a view of the sea, but the air conditioning view spoilt it. We did use the Hot tub but it isnt private - especially when getting in or out. Everyone passing on the street below can see you. Also when you press of the jet - lots of black bits came out. The image of the room has an internal hot tub and overall a much larger space.
The air conditioning - started with a hum, a little louder than usual, but then it turned into a clanging and banging. I could smell the weird smell again, which reminded me of de-icer. (On discussing this with friends on our return, I know think that the air conditioning maybe damaged and the smell may be refrigerant, which can be a health hazard). I asked my husband to turn it off and suggested we ask if we can see if there was another room available. However, it was 11pm and he said not worth the upheaval of packing everything and waiting for a new room as could be well into the next morning before we were moved and that would only be if there was availability. It was very hot without the air conditioning and we could still hear it in other rooms (but obviously not as loud). We had a poor night with lack of sleep.
I had read reviews and stayed at other Barcelos, so perhaps my expectations were high, I cannot state how disappointed we were, I just wanted to pack up and go home - breakfast in the morning cheered me up a little - but we were glad to leave - it was our last night of our 8 night break so not the best to end on.
The hotel werent helpful and simply said we should have told them at the time, even when I replied and explained why we didnt, they simply didnt respond.
Due to the disappointment we both felt, whilst we will definitely return to Barcelo Playa Blanca, but, we have decided that we wont be returning to Costa Teguise."
