Barcelo Isla Canela Hotel in Isla de Canela

Fake 4-star trap! Absolutely disappointed with the facilities and services. Booked 1 week in August, paid an absurd amount for a service that you find in 2-3 star hotels in the city center. At the check-in, they didn't explain anything and just pointed at stuff speeding through the conversation. We found multiple services to be open at incorrect times or constantly delayed, such as meals and the pool. As we got to the bedroom, we were greeted by a faul smell coming from the shower. 3 days in, we find the shower drainage open by the cleaning crew, who used our towels to clean up the mess. As we went to the reception to demand an explanation, they told us we had to change rooms due to pipe malfunction. This was obviously a problem before we even checked in but they ignored it. There was a drainage in the balcony that was filled with mud and cigarettes tips which they never bothered to clean. Had to repack everything with a 1yo baby to move to another room. This new room was nothing but another joke, full of mold everywhere and facing the pool bar where they had events everyday until midnight. Due to this, my baby's sleep was constantly messed up and we barely got any rest. Most employees only speak Spanish and make no effort to communicate in another language, such as Portuguese which is extremely similar. In the end, we left a review in the complaints book, which the receptionist took over 15m to find as she did not know where it was.

First of all, this hotel is more of a 3.8-star experience — definitely not a 4.5. The pictures on the website and TripAdvisor are not accurate. The actual standard of the hotel feels outdated and in need of a lift in every single corner. The staff at reception act more like gatekeepers than service-minded hosts. They do the bare minimum. Be prepared to ask several questions to get the information you need. In general, expect to ask at least five follow-up questions to receive a proper answer. I guess this is what you can expect from a 3.8-star hotel — though I’ve never actually stayed in one rated this low before. They also charge a completely unnecessary 3 euros per day to use the safety box in the room. Really? It’s not about the money — it’s the principle. These are the kinds of small details that show how cheap the experience feels, and they really do make a difference. The only real highlights are the restaurant and bar staff, the cleaning staff, and the young lady at Barceló Experiences — they were all fantastic. Always super kind, polite, one can see they work hard. The food was okay, sometimes good, and that might be what brings the hotel closer to four stars rather than three. The wine was also good. The beach and sea are decent, but bring your own tent or umbrella — otherwise, you’ll be paying around 15 euros per day for a set of chairs and an umbrella. The island itself is far from everything. If you want to explore, you absolutely need a car. The only town nearby is Huelva, and although there’s a bus, you’ll need to check the schedule at the hotel — there’s no reliable info available in town. Don’t rely on taxis either; they’re practically nonexistent. You’ll need to have the direct phone number of a taxi driver. What was good were the excursions — the trip to Sevilla with TUI and the Algarve tour with the agency recommended by Barceló Experiences were both excellent. Are we coming back? …Not really. Would I recommend it? Honestly, I think you can find a better island with higher standards and better service.