Barceló Isla Canela

“Two weeks in mid-October”

We didn't get a room anywhere near the one we requested which was disappointing. We were put in a ground floor room near the children's play area (1097). There was no sea view. The dining room in the evening was a bit of a bun fight with queues forming 15 minutes before the doors opened. Dinner was… more

We didn't get a room anywhere near the one we requested which was disappointing. We were put in a ground floor room near the children's play area (1097). There was no sea view. The dining room in the evening was a bit of a bun fight with queues forming 15 minutes before the doors opened. Dinner was at 7.00pm and we thought people would have appreciated an earlier time, say 6.30, as evidenced by the long queues. In October it is very quiet in the locality with just a couple of shops open to buy water and something for lunch. The rooms are fine with a very good shower in the bathroom. It is a pity that they removed the chests of drawers in the recent refurbishment and the small wavy shelf is simply not large enough. Fine if you are staying for two to 5 days but not for 7 days or more. So the suitcase had to be utilized. There is a reasonable amount of hanging space..

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“Lovely hotel- ignore the bad reviews!”

My friend. And I have just returned from a week at Barcela Isla Canela. We’ve had a great time, can’t fault it. The hotel is beautiful, immaculately clean and the staff are amazing, so conscientious and efficient. We booked half board and it was perfect. Food was amazing. An immense selection of… more

My friend. And I have just returned from a week at Barcela Isla Canela. We’ve had a great time, can’t fault it. The hotel is beautiful, immaculately clean and the staff are amazing, so conscientious and efficient. We booked half board and it was perfect. Food was amazing. An immense selection of foods at breakfast. Continental breakfast, a selection of cold meats and cheeses, cereals, fresh fruit in abundance and also cooked breakfasts for those who want an English breakfast. ( Spanish bacon was a bit fatty, but it always is) Dinner- there was such a vast selection that no one could possibly complain. Soups, salads, main courses, fish and meats, vegan choices and the desserts were to die for. Cakes, fruit, ice cream, fresh fruit, yogurts. As soon as some platters were empty they were replenished immediately. The pools were clean, but cold, 2 out door pools plus a children’s pool and a heated indoor pool. 2 Lifeguards on duty all the time. Plenty of sun beds, NO ONE reserved beds at all. There were always lots available. Entertainment every evening, Flamenco, showtime dancers, karaoke, and a bingo evening. Stereo was something happening every night. Rooms were clean and modern. Maid service every day. I honestly couldn’t find fault. Staff worked tirelessly and. Looked like they enjoyed their job. I don’t know why so many people moaned, if more them, it’s all lies. I’d go back again, however the resort is very quiet. The nearest bars and restaurants are a 5 minute bus ride or 45 minute walk to the marina. A bus runs every 2 hours to the nearby town of Ayamonte, which is lovely. Beach is enormous and clean, a bit windy tho. Overall a lovely relaxing holiday with plenty to do. Sorry no photos to upload, but the hotel looks EXACTLY like the photos in the holiday brochures.

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“October Stay”

Room was lovely - food was very good. Breakfast excellent. Was a Ria hotel previously - you can tell. Good. Location a bit out on a limb. Local bus easy to visit Ayamonte - very pretty place to visit. Took TUI Excursions. Loved the Columbus Tour. Lots of history in the area to get out and explore. … more

Room was lovely - food was very good. Breakfast excellent. Was a Ria hotel previously - you can tell. Good. Location a bit out on a limb. Local bus easy to visit Ayamonte - very pretty place to visit. Took TUI Excursions. Loved the Columbus Tour. Lots of history in the area to get out and explore. Portugal just over the bridge. Enjoyed our visit and glad we had the opportunity to explore the area but would not return for a while. Quite a few torrential downpours but also some sunny warm days. Love Spain ❤️

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“Barcelo Isla Canela in October”

Travelled with TUI on half board basis with my elderly mother and have booked a twin room. The room we were allocated was made up as a double and it's location must have been one of the worst the hotel has - directly above the glass and cardboard bins and noisy side entrance/delivery bay area. Aske… more

Travelled with TUI on half board basis with my elderly mother and have booked a twin room. The room we were allocated was made up as a double and it's location must have been one of the worst the hotel has - directly above the glass and cardboard bins and noisy side entrance/delivery bay area. Asked reception if there was a different room available but been told if we wanted better view, we would have to pay extra. I was taken aback by such a swift response and no solution without extra payment offered so we didn't pursue a room change any further, and sadly this has impacted the experience of our stay as the noise from the delivery bay and bin loading/emptying was considerate. Real shame as the hotel and it's grounds are very pretty and it's location is great, just across the street from a lovely long stretch of beach with shells in both directions. Housekeeping was sent up to re-do the room set up for twin which they have done quickly. The hotel is at a very quiet spot (minus our room) and there is very little around. One small supermarket to the left of the hotel if you exit through the gates by the pool. The restaurant area gets a bit overcrowded especially at dinner times, and there isn't much room to move around near the food displays, so expect people pushing into you and staff trying to navigate through the masses replenishing supplies, clean plates etc. As others have said in their reviews, the rooms lack storage options and has no drawers apart from a couple of shallow ones below a suitcase bench, so we too had to resort to keeping half of our stuff in our suitcases. Evening entertainment was sadly not that great and it didn't start till 10pm - too late for many guests having spoken about it with a few. Glad we took our cards so we had something to do in the evenings and on the rainy days we've unfortunately experienced.

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