Visited this hotel twice last year. The first time we had bungalow accomodation- it is nothing fancy, but with so many children practicality comes before luxury! Location makes up for a lot- it's right on the beach and it's nice a sheltered for kids-good for paddling and safe for a bit of light weight snorkelling

Breakfasts are really good, lots of choice, lunch and dinner can be a bit samey, but we never went hungry. snacks are a bit limited but we found that we went into the restaraunt rather than have the sandwiches. Cocktails in All inclusive programme are smashing- we used to have a cocktail on the beach and watch the sun go down whilst the children played on the sand.

Staff were fine they were there if you needed them but weren't "in your face"

We arrived at Club El Castillo at lunchtime, the room was already ready, and we were supplied with a map in order to find our appartment.

To be honest, use the luggage trolleys and take your time reading the map and following signs and it really isn't that difficult to find your room.

We were in block 2000, (they are still renevating block 3000 - we did hear someone saying they were situatede near block 3000, so their was a little extra building noise near their room, but they had been upgraded to all inclusive as soon as they arrived)

The room smelt musty, but it was clean and the cleaner came 4 out of the days, which we didn't mind as we'd rather not be disturbed too much, and the cleaners have a hard enough job as it is. It would be difficult for the cleaners to get around everyone everyday and the hotel is quite spreadout. The room was nice we had a large sun terrace as we an upstairs apartment. The terrace had a table and chairs and 3 sunbeds, which i used quite a bit when i brought my 4 year old in out of the midday sun. The tv had cbeebies and CBBC channel which was a godsend on the rainy day that we had.

Pools were spotless, and the acclimatized pool with jacuzzi was lovely. The hotels beach side location, pools and sun terraces made it it somewhere i would contemplate coming to again, but i would go self catering and not half board.

We found the food more aimed at the dutch, but there was quite a good slection for breakfast, however after a couple of days we couldn't stick the evening meals anymore, so decided to eat out.

Mini disco at 8.30pm was good with a childrens game after which went down well.

All together a good holiday, and we would visit the hotel again, just without their food!

I absolutly hated these apartments!..I had 6 cockroaches and millions of ants!..The apartment cleaner didn't understand that her job title included cleaning the bathroom and sweeping the floor, we had to phone to reception to ask for clean towels as she couldn't be bothered to even do that..
I went half board and the food was appalling..

The first night we had duck in grape sauce...the duck still had feathers on :shock: ..the other choice of fish with clams in a white sauce had so many bones in it, it would have taken all night to eat it without chocking to death! ...The highlight of each night was the "show cooking" the first night it was...wait for it.....Sausages! :lol: and so it went on..night after night...food that was awful!

I complained to the manager and got no where... I have also complined to my tour operator and to Barcelo Europe by e-mail.

The only good thing going for the apartments, where they are situated and the pools..which were spotless

I absolutly hated these apartments!..I had 6 cockroaches and millions of ants!..The apartment cleaner didn't understand that her job title included cleaning the bathroom and sweeping the floor, we had to phone to reception to ask for clean towels as she couldn't be bothered to even do that..
I went half board and the food was appalling..

The first night we had duck in grape sauce...the duck still had feathers on ..the other choice of fish with clams in a white sauce had so many bones in it, it would have taken all night to eat it without chocking to death! ...The highlight of each night was the "show cooking" the first night it was...wait for it.....Sausages! and so it went on..night after night...food that was awful!

I complained to the manager and got no where...

The only good thing going for the apartments, where they are situated and the pools..which were spotless

The apartments were cleaned 8 out of the 10 days, cleaning consisted of emptying the kitchen bin, making the beds and changing the towels and a quick sweep around - not a lot but enough.

There is a Netto shop onsite - its small but has the essentials. Lots more Nettos around the area.

We were in the 1000 block and these bungalows 'apartments' have been updated, with new double glazed windows, new kitchen doors, bright furniture and very comfortable beds. They have a card key entry system. They are currently pulling block 3000 apart and updating this area.

Location is pretty much on the golden sandy (imported!) beach, the bay design forces the majority of waves away from the beach and the sea is safe with a gentle gradiant for the kids.

Staff both reception and cleaning were always helpful and pleasant. There is a full daytime entertainment program but the evening 'show' finish at 10.

Upon arrival at the modern reception area we were greeted by friendly staff who gave us a map and pointed us in the right direction.

What a disapointment upon opening the apartment door. It smelt musty and upon closer inspection the one wall was damp with plasterwork coming away.

Its position would have been ideal on the ground floor facing the beach but it was not somewhere you would want to spend a fortnight in. Back to reception where we told to follow a porter who would show us some other apartments. The first one was not much better (ground floor again)and musty but then bingo! a lovely first floor apartment with a large sun terrace.

The grounds of the hotel are immaculate with gardeners and cleaners milling round all day. Likewise the pool area was spotless. The room was cleaned 5 days out of 7 with extra towels available from reception.

The location of the hotel can not be faulted literally a stones throw from the beach but just a short walk to the shops and restaurants.

The food was excellent with plenty of choice even for the hard to please kids.
Entertainment during the day for the kids was good with a friendly team of workers keeping them happy.

The entertainment in the night was not so entertaining! Fairly amatuerish ,so my advice would be to get out up the town loads of nice cafe bars and pubs with some good varied entertainment.

Well what did we expect for 2 star accomodation, firstly the welcome we got from the staff at the ECC (Ell Casstillo Club)was second to none.

Lets start from the top!

RECEPTION; First class it clean, welcoming and with all the information we could have wanted about the ECC and the 4 star Barcello Fuerteventura next door that we were entitled to use also, the room was ready it was the room we had requested after recommendation from a friend, we were welcomed by extremely polite and welcoming reception staff, given a map of this very large complex, bid an enjoyable stay and sent on our way.

THE SEARCH; Oh dear this was a bit daunting and a bit of a hike, this complex is very poorly lit and is a bit of a maze, we had a lot of trouble finding our apartment (3057)when all we wanted was a cuppa, still 45 minutes later we arrived.

THE APARTMENT; Well on entering the apartment we were greeted by a large complimentary bowl of fresh fruit, what a clever touch it was most enjoyable. The apartment was spacious and very clean allthough the electrics are very dodgy and I would say a bit dangerous but we got over that and had a good stay as long as you don't mind cats or millions of ants ( we didn't see a cockroach until the last day of our 2 week stay.

The apartments are very cold at night and are not to secure as they are tucked away in the dark with very little in the way of lighting. The cleaners were in every day except Friday & Sunday at 9.30am on the dot, they only change the bed linen once a week though but they are extremely friendly.

ENTERTAINMENT;on complex, we went to a couple of very good shows allthough the drinks prices depend on which waiter serves you and cost around 8 euros for a pint and a voddie.

OVERALL; It was okay in parts and for self catering the facilities in the apartments are very sparce, you do feel very intidated by the obvious lack of security on complex, the lighting was very poor and allthough we enjoyed our stay we would not return to the El Castillo Club.

I was a little worried after reading previous reports on the Barcello Club El Castillo as I had booked already, however it was good but ask for upstairs apartment. The room was ok furnished probably 3 star. It was cleaned occasionally by the maids however I didn't leave a tip as it wasn't kept spotless.

Food was edible and a good variety however after 14 days I was ready for some homemade food.

The children's club run very well and ent team did their best pretty ok for the resort in general.

I used the barcello hotels pool a lot as it was nicer and heated the location of the hotel is great right next to the beach,however we did walk over to the other side of the bay(10-15 mins walk) to relax on a man made beach which was beautiful and even more safer for my little one.

Would go 4 star next time the Barcello hotel not all inclusive though.

After reading the reviews for this complex I was worried about what I would find, I needn't have been. We stayed in one of the bungalows that backs onto the seafront (the rocky side, where the chipmunks are).

This was a great location as we could reach the pool in approx 3 minutes but be away from all the bizz back at our bungalow.

Our towels were changed every day and the beds twice although all other cleaning seems non existent except for a quick squirt of bleach in the bathroom. The complex itself was very clean, plenty of bins, gardeners, maintenance staff etc.

Location was excellent, close to the beach and shops but away from any loud bars.

We didn't use the kids club or watch the shows in the evening as we ate in town every night.

I would visit this complex again although they need to get on top of the cleaning.

Complex is well laid out with great pools, not too deep and plenty of sunbeds.

There is also a free bus which runs every hour (except early afternoon) which goes to the new shopping complex

Having read many reports about this Hotel before we went I wasn't at all looking forward to going to this place. However I was pleasantly surprised how wrong they all were and we have booked up again for next year it was that good!

Hotel location is excellent next to the beach and harbour and within walking distance to lots of shops bars and places to eat!

The hotel was a very large complex set within well kept gardens we got given a map to find our room, which we found easily.

Room was fabulous! Massive terrace with 3 sunbeds on table and chairs and was a suntrap. Had kitchen area although no microwave, was adequate. Kids slept on pull out sofa bed in living area and we had 2 single beds in other room, loads of space and drawers to put clothes as well which makes a change! We had maid service 6 times a week which was great. No air conditioning in rooms but there is a ceiling fan which is enough as it's cool at night.

Food was excellent as well, different choices everyday and you could see them cooking the bread fresh! Kids ate most of the food although would have been nice for a bit more choice for them they are not as adventurous as us adults!

We booked up half board and on the second week upgraded to all inclusive which worked out great for us as you get discounts for the kids under 6 I think are free! Beer was on tap and you could help yourself.........fab!

Nice little square of shops located in the hotel grocery shop which sells most of out English food and a sweet shops and some food places to eat as well.

Entertainment was brill we were in stitches some night really good. Something different all the time and the kids loved it as well. They have a stage outside for this which is nice and cool then they go into the main room for a disco afterwards.

Beach was great although a little rocky in places so our kids wore swim shoes to go in. Fish swim round your feet and if you get some bread they come and eat it kept them amused for ages!