Barcelo Santiago

"After a long awaited stay at the Barcelo Santiago, we were left feeling disappointed and ready to go home. We had been looking at this hotel for years, reading the reviews that have been raving about how great the hotel is. Positives: The hotel is generally clean. The views phenomenonal. Some staff are very nice. Special thanks to Alicia, Lena and Lonneke. Pools are nice temperature, good size and depth. There are plenty of sun beds, there is no sun bed wars at the hotel. The staff work hard however there is not enough of them. The pool, the breeze bar and the restaurant are all on one level. The beds in the room are comfortable, rooms are spacious. Negatives: The air con in the room is rubbish, it doesn't cool the room down enough and there were times we had to sleep with the door open just to get some cool air. The balconies are not secure, someone could easily climb over. The food is very hit and miss. Often times freezing cold you have to heat it up or no food at all at some points of food service. Cross contamination across food - same serving spoons used for veggie and meat dishes. Drinks can be hit and miss, they often run out of spirits. Mini bar could be stocked, they serve bottled water, soft drinks and beer at breeze bar why can't a couple be left in the room. Service at the breeze bar is always busy, not enough staff which is a theme across the hotel. You could wait 20+ minutes to be served at all times of day. Entertainment is generally poor. It is repetitive, a singer every night. Some staff in the restaurant are rude, they tut or are visibly annoyed when you ask for extra drinks. Some return guests think they should get special treatment, many are rude. Flies!! There are community bins near enough right outside hotel. Smell in the female toilets near the restaurant was disgusting. Location overall: there are restaurants about, hiperdino next door however everything else is a taxi or a very hilly walk out. Hard to get a taxi, sometimes a 20+ minute wait. Chips in the wristbands kept not working, so numerous trips to reception and in the end we were given a key card. Not shown where room was, no bell boy, we were just pointed down a corridor at 11pm at night. We reported a broken light, a leak, faulty balcony door nothing got fixed. Ripped awnings or umbrellas, it doesn't look good. Sun beds are rock hard, not comfy at all. Some were broken, couldn't move their position from flat to sitting up. Lack of atmosphere around the pool, no music at all, apart the odd occasion for 1 hour, you can hear everyone's conversations. A massive negative is that they cut wristbands off at 12pm, no matter whether you were all inclusive, flying Jet2 or not. A member of our party was rushed to hospital on our final day, one reception staff member more or less chased the rest of us to cut off our wristbands off before we followed the ambulance, very insensitive. This might not be everyone's experience, however it is ours and it should be highlighted as we went off the many positive reviews. We won't be returning to this hotel."

"We returned a week ago from our 10 day all inclusive package holiday and had a lovely time. The hotel is in a lovely spot with great views of the cliffs. On check in the receptionist was friendly and quickly explained what we needed to know, as she wanted to make sure we got into the restaurant before it closed. Every dealing we had with reception was positive. The AI package had great branded drinks, there was a good cocktail menu that weren't all full of ice (the Alexander was the best!), great breakfast - so much choice!, the a la carte food at the Breeze bar at lunchtime was lovely, some nights were better than others in the main restaurant, but we always found something nice to eat - all the menus can be seen on the Barcelo App before you book/arrive. We found the staff to be friendly - we are friendly people, maybe this makes a difference? - sometimes we had to wait but not often. Our room was clean and light and airy (we were in 814 over looking the pool and the sea). The bathroom size was perfectly fine for a 10 night stay. All I was bothered about was the cleanliness. We had a safe that worked well at no extra cost. I really liked the electronic awning over the balcony if you wanted shade from the sun - great idea! The highlight of my holiday were the animation team - I did stretching/yoga/pilates everyday, and then pool bike or aqua gym/dance/relaxation. I also took part in a candle making workshop which was lovely and so informative. Thank you to Mano, Marta and Asiah!! (But if you didn't want to join in there was no pressure either - they didn't intrude on your holiday - my partner did nothing!). The evening entertainment was external acts, some were better than others - you can't expect broadway standard at a 4 star hotel, and if we didn't like an act we went to the quieter bar by the reception - no issues at all. The gym had a good range of equipment, including machines as well as free weights. My partner and I are quite active, we walked the footpath around the outside of the hotel and then up and down the hills to the port of Los Gigantes - there are busses and taxis. There is a Lidl at the top of the hill, much cheaper than the Hyperdino outside the hotel. The immediate area is quite quiet and residential - we were fine with that and we had done our research. To give reasons to comments seen in other reviews - they cut the wrist bands off when you check out because they are also your room key and they will reuse the wooden part. We loved not having to remember our room key! We can't comment on the use of AI on the last day. - We got 2 free pool towel changes after our first set which seems fair against their eco policy to reduce laundry - very common in large chain hotels in Spain. Not every hotel will cater to every whim of every guest. I can be quite particular about getting quality for the money I paid (I am restricted to the expensive school holidays and I have been burned before!) and this was a lovely clean 4 star hotel, quiet atmosphere, decent quality AI, with good facilities. We have stayed in better (and paid more to stay in better) but we couldn't majorly fault the Barcelo Santiago and would definitely recommend it - thank you for a lovely stay :)"

"Beautiful hotel. Room was very clean comfortable we had a sea view which was a bonus. Room cleaned every day even when my husband slept late. All food was exceptional so much choice. Breeze bar food was great too. Drinks were wonderful so much choice considering all inclusive. Staff were alway polite professional and friendly. Day time entertainment was fun if you wanted to join in. Pools were amazing and warm. Evening entertainment was mostly ok. Think it would have been better if it was in middle of pool area.(someone told us this was how it had been previously) would have been able to hear and see better and more seating to. Not much at all to do in immediate area. Just a few shops/bars and restaurants. But did get a taxi to Los Gigantes 10 mins drive away. Small beach there and several nice shops and bars there. This was the most relaxing holiday we have ever had. Very chilled. "