58 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent18
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Very Good28
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Good8
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Average0
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Poor0
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
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Location
17 years 7 months ago
The hotel is a little dated, brown marble everywhere and there is sometimes a funny fusty drain like smell in the reception area. The place is kept very clean by an army of cleaners who like the bar staff and restaurant staff work very long hours. We up graded to the drinks package for about 10 euros each per day, well worth it, you get a kettle and coffee etc in your room and all local drinks, water tea coffee etc are included. We thought it well worth it , a bottle of wine at night is 6 euros. The rooms were clean and the sea views are worth paying for, especially at night if there's a storm in the area, the Bay is lit up for miles.
We attended the welcome meeting but like many others forgot and about the farewell meeting, ( it was held on a Sunday, we didn't go home til Wednesday ! )We have to admit to getting just a little fed up of being asked to " tick the excellent box " on the survey going when we had only just met the reps 5 Min's earlier ! They only seemed interested in flogging over priced trips, the cheapest one was to Mahon and markets for 19 euros, the local bus fare is wait for it , 1.85 euros, we did not hear of anyone booking a trip out. The reps were too busy talking amongst themselves or to their little band of favourites who were always on the front row so to speak ( if you were there the same week as us you know who we mean )One person in particular actually SULKED when he wasn't picked for the quiz team and spent the night in the downstairs bar !!
The entertainment varied, Abba were pretty good, Blues brothers OK but a couple of nights we went out. The bar staff were really hard working, the drinks were always right, please don't forget the occasional tip , even if you have up graded, its a hard job.
The food was pretty good, always hot and plenty of choice . Lovely roasts , the puddings were mainly mousse type or sponge with syrup on.
We attended the welcome meeting but like many others forgot and about the farewell meeting, ( it was held on a Sunday, we didn't go home til Wednesday ! )We have to admit to getting just a little fed up of being asked to " tick the excellent box " on the survey going when we had only just met the reps 5 Min's earlier ! They only seemed interested in flogging over priced trips, the cheapest one was to Mahon and markets for 19 euros, the local bus fare is wait for it , 1.85 euros, we did not hear of anyone booking a trip out. The reps were too busy talking amongst themselves or to their little band of favourites who were always on the front row so to speak ( if you were there the same week as us you know who we mean )One person in particular actually SULKED when he wasn't picked for the quiz team and spent the night in the downstairs bar !!
The entertainment varied, Abba were pretty good, Blues brothers OK but a couple of nights we went out. The bar staff were really hard working, the drinks were always right, please don't forget the occasional tip , even if you have up graded, its a hard job.
The food was pretty good, always hot and plenty of choice . Lovely roasts , the puddings were mainly mousse type or sponge with syrup on.
Travel operator: Thomson Gold
Recommended
17 years 7 months ago
The Hotel Castell Playa is one of our favorites.We have visited here for the last seven years.
Hotel is very clean.The smell in reception which was mentioned in a previous review has been seen to. there was no sign of any smell at all.
The food is excellent.This year there were new chefs and the food was even better still. There was different themed nights eg. Carribean night, Mexican, Italian even Chinese, as well as all the wonderful roasts. There is really everything to suit everyone even if you are a fussy eater!
The location of the hotel is on top of a slight incline.The beach can be reached either by walking via a lot of steps or you can use the coutesy bus if you are a little less unable.
The staff are very friendly and we have no problem conversing with them, only a couple don't speak good English but we get our point accross in the end.
Entertainment in the hotel has always been very good.
We usually go for a walk after dinner, then visit the irish bar and Australian bar then go back to the hotel for the nights entertainment, but if you need to get a good seat you need to be there a bit earlier.
As always we had a great time and met some nice people,even some who, like us visit the same time
every year.
So now we are going to book this hotel again for next year...
Hotel is very clean.The smell in reception which was mentioned in a previous review has been seen to. there was no sign of any smell at all.
The food is excellent.This year there were new chefs and the food was even better still. There was different themed nights eg. Carribean night, Mexican, Italian even Chinese, as well as all the wonderful roasts. There is really everything to suit everyone even if you are a fussy eater!
The location of the hotel is on top of a slight incline.The beach can be reached either by walking via a lot of steps or you can use the coutesy bus if you are a little less unable.
The staff are very friendly and we have no problem conversing with them, only a couple don't speak good English but we get our point accross in the end.
Entertainment in the hotel has always been very good.
We usually go for a walk after dinner, then visit the irish bar and Australian bar then go back to the hotel for the nights entertainment, but if you need to get a good seat you need to be there a bit earlier.
As always we had a great time and met some nice people,even some who, like us visit the same time
every year.
So now we are going to book this hotel again for next year...
Travel operator: Thomson (Gold)
Recommended
17 years 8 months ago
The hotel was very clean although there was a nasty smell as you walked into the front door of the hotel and several times we could smell cigarette smoke through the air conditioning vent in our bedroom.
The hotel staff are fantastic.
The hotel is on a hill and with lots of steps down to the beach but this was not a problem for us. The hotel provide free bus service down to the beach but we did not use this.
The hotel was sold to us as an adult only hotel, ie no one under the age of 16 is allowed in. There were several kids in the hotel from the age of 14 upwards and although they behaved in general we did get woken by a couple of them running up and down the corridors in the hotel.
I will be making a complaint to Thomson.
The hotel staff are fantastic.
The hotel is on a hill and with lots of steps down to the beach but this was not a problem for us. The hotel provide free bus service down to the beach but we did not use this.
The hotel was sold to us as an adult only hotel, ie no one under the age of 16 is allowed in. There were several kids in the hotel from the age of 14 upwards and although they behaved in general we did get woken by a couple of them running up and down the corridors in the hotel.
I will be making a complaint to Thomson.
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
17 years 9 months ago
Although a smell of drains in recption met you on occasion the hotel in general was clean apart from a greasy film on the pool.
The food was good but shriveled hard bacon and long queues in the evening.
Located up a bit of a hill but there is a bus down to the beach which we didn't use. Looks out over the bay, great sea views.
Apart from maintainence staff everyone else was what you would expect from Thomson Gold.
Entertainment is personal but not as good as other Gold hotels.
We had two major problems with the room, sorted immediatly. Then lots of little ones, we either got towels or toiletries and visa versa. It took 5 days and an official complaint to make the toilet flush properly.
Then we returned one evening to find one of the bedside lamps in bits with the bulb on the bed. The shade was broken when we arrived but wasn't reported as it was the least of our problems.
The Champagne the Manager sent us would still not entice us back. Not up to Thomson Gold standards
The food was good but shriveled hard bacon and long queues in the evening.
Located up a bit of a hill but there is a bus down to the beach which we didn't use. Looks out over the bay, great sea views.
Apart from maintainence staff everyone else was what you would expect from Thomson Gold.
Entertainment is personal but not as good as other Gold hotels.
We had two major problems with the room, sorted immediatly. Then lots of little ones, we either got towels or toiletries and visa versa. It took 5 days and an official complaint to make the toilet flush properly.
Then we returned one evening to find one of the bedside lamps in bits with the bulb on the bed. The shade was broken when we arrived but wasn't reported as it was the least of our problems.
The Champagne the Manager sent us would still not entice us back. Not up to Thomson Gold standards
Travel operator: Thomson Gold
17 years 9 months ago
Castell Playa
We were half board and upgraded with the drinks option which was a very good deal.
The hotel was clean but needed new furniture in the lounge area's.
The food was very good, good selection, but the 2 bars where you could buy lunch had no choice everything you asked for was unavaliable, no choice for vegetarian which I am.
The location was fine as long as you are fit as it is up hill all the way, 50 steps down to street level.
You could not fault the staff in any way, they went out of there way to help you.
The entertainment was mixed but not too bad.
My real complaint was the Terrible smell when entering the hotel of sewage it was BAD whith no explenation from either staff or reps.
We were half board and upgraded with the drinks option which was a very good deal.
The hotel was clean but needed new furniture in the lounge area's.
The food was very good, good selection, but the 2 bars where you could buy lunch had no choice everything you asked for was unavaliable, no choice for vegetarian which I am.
The location was fine as long as you are fit as it is up hill all the way, 50 steps down to street level.
You could not fault the staff in any way, they went out of there way to help you.
The entertainment was mixed but not too bad.
My real complaint was the Terrible smell when entering the hotel of sewage it was BAD whith no explenation from either staff or reps.
Travel operator: Thomson Gold
17 years 9 months ago
This was a last minute allocation on arrival ao we were pleased to be told we were staying in a Thomson Gold.
On arrival Hotel looked very impressive on top of the hill at night.The hotel appeared spotlessly clean.Efficient check in and porter took our cases up to our rooms so we could go and have the cold supper that was laid on for us as we'd missed dinner.
The rooms were very clean and spacious and were kept that way by the excellent cleaner. Had great view of pool/ evening entertainment area.
Although hotel was spotless I have to agree with other comments public area furnishings rather tired looking especially as this is a Gold hotel but couldn't fault anything else. Staff were very friendly and always helpful especially waiting staff.
We never really found a problem at either breakfast or dinner with queing.The food was all excellent breakfast and dinner and always hot and fresh,but you still heard the occassional complaints about Spanish food!They did try and cater for all tastes and we thought they did it very well.
We watched the entertainment most evenings from our balcony and although we thought the resident duo weren't brilliant the visiting entertainment was good.
Also all the reps were really good and always on hand should you need them.
On arrival Hotel looked very impressive on top of the hill at night.The hotel appeared spotlessly clean.Efficient check in and porter took our cases up to our rooms so we could go and have the cold supper that was laid on for us as we'd missed dinner.
The rooms were very clean and spacious and were kept that way by the excellent cleaner. Had great view of pool/ evening entertainment area.
Although hotel was spotless I have to agree with other comments public area furnishings rather tired looking especially as this is a Gold hotel but couldn't fault anything else. Staff were very friendly and always helpful especially waiting staff.
We never really found a problem at either breakfast or dinner with queing.The food was all excellent breakfast and dinner and always hot and fresh,but you still heard the occassional complaints about Spanish food!They did try and cater for all tastes and we thought they did it very well.
We watched the entertainment most evenings from our balcony and although we thought the resident duo weren't brilliant the visiting entertainment was good.
Also all the reps were really good and always on hand should you need them.
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
17 years 10 months ago
First of all, we thought the food was fantastic!
We were on half board and we kept saying our highlights
of the days were Breakfast and Dinner.
The selection was very good, the food was fresh every day. We were spoiled. Only thing was selection was probably not as good for vegetarians.
The room was comfy and spacious.
We were on half board and we kept saying our highlights
of the days were Breakfast and Dinner.
The selection was very good, the food was fresh every day. We were spoiled. Only thing was selection was probably not as good for vegetarians.
The room was comfy and spacious.
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
17 years 10 months ago
We had 10 days at this hotel. Hotel was clean and food was quite good. The only trouble being that the food was not hot enough.
One major problem on arrival was the stench of tobacco in our room. It took us days to get rid of the smell. Being on the 5th floor we could leave the balcony door open all day but the maid kept closing it. Now that Spain have this no smoking rule the entertainment hall is not at all smokie and quite pleasant to sit in but they need to now introduce some no smoking bedrooms. The Hotel is old but is still respectable.
Although on a hill the walk to the sea front/beach isn't nearly as bad as it is made out to be. Cardiac hill isn't really appropriate. The hotel mini bus is excellent, running every 30 mins all day except Tuesday, although we didn't use it. There isn't much to do in Arenal though. A very small resort. Just 2 bars (Irish & Australian) but both have entertainment.
The hotel entertainment wasn't bad. Quiz each afternoon at 4pm by the pool and water gym at 11am. Water polo at 3pm. French boules some days. Evening acts average. We hired a car for 3 days and saw most of the island.
One major problem on arrival was the stench of tobacco in our room. It took us days to get rid of the smell. Being on the 5th floor we could leave the balcony door open all day but the maid kept closing it. Now that Spain have this no smoking rule the entertainment hall is not at all smokie and quite pleasant to sit in but they need to now introduce some no smoking bedrooms. The Hotel is old but is still respectable.
Although on a hill the walk to the sea front/beach isn't nearly as bad as it is made out to be. Cardiac hill isn't really appropriate. The hotel mini bus is excellent, running every 30 mins all day except Tuesday, although we didn't use it. There isn't much to do in Arenal though. A very small resort. Just 2 bars (Irish & Australian) but both have entertainment.
The hotel entertainment wasn't bad. Quiz each afternoon at 4pm by the pool and water gym at 11am. Water polo at 3pm. French boules some days. Evening acts average. We hired a car for 3 days and saw most of the island.
Travel operator: Thomson Gold
17 years 11 months ago
We stayed for a week from 10 May and had fantastic weather which really made the holiday.
We was a bit wary of the hotel being on a hill but when we got there we was pleasantly surprised that although on a hill you went up or down various levels.
The hotel was kept very clean but was a bit dated in areas. We had a sea view room which was better for us as you only got the sun in the morning and the room cooled down fro the evening. Although on the 1st floor we still had fantastic views. The room was carpeted so you did not hear people above you walking about.
The restaurant was clean and had plenty of variety. The only annoying part was that there was always a queue for the hot food (eggs, omelettes, meat, pasta) in the morning and evening. We went for the all inclusive package on the drinks (about
We was a bit wary of the hotel being on a hill but when we got there we was pleasantly surprised that although on a hill you went up or down various levels.
The hotel was kept very clean but was a bit dated in areas. We had a sea view room which was better for us as you only got the sun in the morning and the room cooled down fro the evening. Although on the 1st floor we still had fantastic views. The room was carpeted so you did not hear people above you walking about.
The restaurant was clean and had plenty of variety. The only annoying part was that there was always a queue for the hot food (eggs, omelettes, meat, pasta) in the morning and evening. We went for the all inclusive package on the drinks (about
Travel operator: Portland Direct
Recommended
18 years 6 months ago
Hotel is very clean,towels changed every day and bed linen every other day.
The food is very well presented,the trays are frequently changed even up to the end of the session ensuring the food was always hot and fresh.
The choice was outstanding all be it not so good for vegetarians, but we never went hungry.Breakfast choice was excelent the only problem being the toaster the bread had to be put through at least 3 times if you wanted anything more than hot bread.
There are fantastic views from the hotel over the bay which more than makes up for the climb back up from the beach. There are some lovely walks you can do accross the heathland, one to Son Parc and one to Na Macaret well worth the effort.There are some nice bars over looking the beach.
Hotel staff were very friendly and could not do enough for you.
Entertainment was better than most hotels, however the lounge was so smokey that we only saw one act as the smoke made it to uncomfortable for us non smokers. Better extraction would have helped.
All in all a very nice hotel, a bit dated but the soundproofing in the rooms was very good unlike some modern hotels.We would definatly return to this hotel.
The food is very well presented,the trays are frequently changed even up to the end of the session ensuring the food was always hot and fresh.
The choice was outstanding all be it not so good for vegetarians, but we never went hungry.Breakfast choice was excelent the only problem being the toaster the bread had to be put through at least 3 times if you wanted anything more than hot bread.
There are fantastic views from the hotel over the bay which more than makes up for the climb back up from the beach. There are some lovely walks you can do accross the heathland, one to Son Parc and one to Na Macaret well worth the effort.There are some nice bars over looking the beach.
Hotel staff were very friendly and could not do enough for you.
Entertainment was better than most hotels, however the lounge was so smokey that we only saw one act as the smoke made it to uncomfortable for us non smokers. Better extraction would have helped.
All in all a very nice hotel, a bit dated but the soundproofing in the rooms was very good unlike some modern hotels.We would definatly return to this hotel.
Travel operator: Thomson
Recommended
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