Barcelo Playa Blanca

"Outstanding hotel. Attention to detail made it the most chilled out week I’ve ever had. From the minute of arrival with a welcome drink to the taxi pulling up to pick us up I wouldn’t change a thing."

"We had a magnificent room. Swim up room with nice terrace and loungers in the water. We enjoyed our private swimming pool and privacy. At the start we got a nice bottle of cava, which was a really nice gesture. We had much fun at the Champs bar, because of the really nice staff. Though it could get more atmosphere by some louder music. The food at the buffet was really good. We spent one evening at the Mexico Lindo and we loved the food and service. The arcade was really fun and we spent a lot of money there, because we needed to win a prize. Room was really clean, towels clean everyday and kind cleaning ladies. We gave them a tip, because of the service. The location is great, close to the promenade with lots of bars, reataurants and cafes. We really loved the time we spent on this resort!"

"This hotel really is amazing, when you first step into the reception area you are met with an expanse of space and a sweet welcoming purfume smell. The you meet the staff, all very friendly and eager to help. You then look out the huge windows and before you is the pool and the scale of it is extremely impressive. You walk along the large almost avenue like corridors to reach your room. Using the little smart tag bracelet (great idea) you open the door and in our case, a 5th floor room facing over the pool, the cleanliness and modern/airy interior continues to impress. Everything is great and then gets better, a knock at the door and someone from the guest experience team brings us a bottle of Cava and a congratulations card to welcomw us on our wedding anniversary. AMAZING Later, off to the restaurant to eat dinner and here things start to become a little more average. I have seen other reviews mention these things but in short. A superb selection, but it sometimes difficult to find what you want and whilst aimlessly walking around food gets cold - often food that has been fresh cooked and left to stand and is not hot anyway. The staff are as always super helpful and friendly but there are perhaps not enough of them and it sometimes feels a bit like organised chaos. My wife needs gluten free options and whilst everyone is keen to help, the logistics of providing some gluten free items makes for some frustrating delays and chasing of staff. Overall the food is pretty good though and the staff do a good job. Then off for some entertainment and again, some shortcomings appear. as with everything in this hotel, the theatre is huge and impressive. But such scale can be a disadvantage too.... many of the tables are empty each night and the amphitheatre style concrete seats create a bowl environment that does little to help. Some of the entertainment acts have been great, like the African balance/juggling/gymnastics. But most of the singing acts are simply on a huge stage performing to a backing track in front of a small audience. Thats hard to do and i do feel a little sorry for them as they try their best to get the audience rsponding But there is no pre show entertainment, games, competitions, even bingo.... nothing, perhaps thats just not the Barcelo way? Afterwards, some music, Wham, Abba, Boney M... all pretty uninsipring really and no lighting to create a bit more of a disco/club vibe. There's also no waiting service so you have to get your own drinks. Barcelo you are really missing a trick here!! So most people get up and leave which is a shame..... so off we go walking the long and now lonely corridors, and communal area's, but where is the fun, the atmosphere, the soul! Stop playing the instrumental elevator music and bring some life into the place, especially in the various bars. Barcelo you need an evening entertainment team to keep customers engaged and if they are then you will bring atmosphere to this place and no doubt bigger earnings too. Maybe combine the evening childrens activities/disco in the same place as the evening entertainment so that you have a captive audience of adults. In my opinion the hotel needs a solid evening entertainment programme from 8pm to 11pm everynight, not just from 9:30-10:30pm. Apparently the hotel is currently full to 80% occupancy but I just cannot believe that.... the pool, sunbeds, restaurants, there is no way they are 80% full. And at the moment I can see why, the basics are letting down what could be an amazing place. And yes if I was a 16 year old I would be bored absolutely rigid, this is a place for couples or maybe very young children as the facilities for young children seems to be good) I think everything else is great though, the staff especially have always been helpful and courteous. There is so much to say positive things about, but if I come back again next, perhaps as a Royal Level customer then I want to see fun, soul and atmosphere as well."