My husband and I have just returned after a 10 day stay and we had an absolutely wonderful holiday. On arrival we were given a glass of champagne whilst waiting to be checked in.

The rooms were very spacious and had two double beds which were pushed together. A large seating area with a settee, coffee table and a writing desk. We had a beautiful room overlooking the pools which was magnificent at night when they were all lit up. The rooms were cleaned every day and we had no complaints in that area. The bathroom was spacious and a seperate cubicle for the shower and another for the toilet.

The restaurant was very efficient and a wide selection of food was provided for all nationalities. There was always something different for you to try. I was very happy to see that chinese food was available every other night as my husband doesn't like it! He was happy with the pasta dishes. Also, there were b-b-que nights with lovely filet steaks etc.

The location was good, in a bay right in front of the sea. The only disappointment was that there was no beach. This didn't cause us a problem because for the 10 days the weather was fantastic so we did a lot of walking and lazing around the pool area which is very big. It wasn't too busy so we had a good choice of where we want to relax. There are 3 pools, one is aclimatised so we could swim every day and there is a zucuzzi outside which was lovely. There is a lovely promanade near the hotel which leads to the harbour 'Rubicon'. It is a good 20 minutes but goes all only the sea front. From the harbour it is about another 30 minutes walk to the centre of Playa Blanca.

All the staff were very friendly and polite, we had no problem with the staff.

We can't say much about the entertainment because we didn't go into the hall where it was being held. It was our choice because after we had had a lovely meal in the hotel and a drink in the bar afterwards we were more than happy.

The only think we did think was that the wine was a little overpriced. At least 23 euros for a bottle of wine with your meal or in the bar. It only costs about 6 euros in the supermarkets.

If not next year we definately will be returning. It was one of the best holidays we have spent.

Hi, returned from a really lovely holiday in Gran Castillo last night - to this freezing weather.

My personal opinion is that it is a lovely hotel in a beautiful position.

The rooms are beautiful - a walk in wardrobe, every womans dream. The bathroom was enormous with two doors off it leading to a separate toilet and shower.

When we arrived we were offered a glass of wine or orange juice while we were checking in - we were shown to our room but it had a limited sea-view and as we had paid for a sea view room I told them I wasn't too happy and we were moved to another room immediately without any fuss and it looked straight out to sea over the sandy end of the pool. By sandy end I mean that there is an area at the end of the pool facing the promenade which which has been filled with sand for small children.

On the subject of children there were very few and mostly under 5/6 - but it may be different when you go if it is in the school holidays. However, there does not seem very much for children to do to be honest, there was a kiddies club but I only saw it open a couple of times.

The hotel is only about a 15 mins. walk from the promenade entrance of the hotel to the Rubicon Marina which is a really nice area, and there is quite a nice market held there on a Wednesday and Saturday. There is still no sandy beach in front of the hotel.

The majority of guests last week were German and I feel that the food was particularly aimed at them, spicy sausages, saurkraut (sorry about the spelling), but to be fair there was quite a variety. There was Chinese available three or four nights, Pasta with a variety of sauces, a choice of meats and fish, canary potatoes, chips and always loads of different cheeses, cold meats and fresh fruit, pastries and ice cream.

Breakfast had the same cheeses, hams, fresh fruit and cooked breakfasts with once again the German sausages, there was cereals and loads of different types of bread and rolls.

If the weather is good like it was last week its really nice to sit outside over the pool. I think there may be a shuttle bus into Playa Blanca but I did'nt see it - we hired a car.

The staff were all pleasant and I would definitely go back, there were just a couple niggles the wine is really overpriced -it was 23 euros for a bottle of wine - we paid 6 euros for exactly the same wine in a supermarket.The other niggle was that dinner was either at 6.30 or 8.30 and I personally like to go for my dinner when I feel like it and not at a set time - but on the whole we had really lovely time.

Hope this helps and remember it is my personal opinion.

Hope you have a lovely time when you go.