Barceló Fuerteventura Mar

This review is a real 50/50 for me and it depends what you’re looking for in your holiday overall but if you are staying as a family with pre teen or teenagers read on. I stayed in this hotel 20+ years ago and again about 12 years ago and loved it both times. This visit however, much has changed. We were premium service because we had booked a two bedroom family room. That was nice and the separate seating area, extra buffet items and queue skipping at dinner time was a real benefit - although being English - I’m incredibly uncomfortable with jumping queues so it did sit a bit awkwardly with me and we tended to go to dinner before the queuing started thank goodness. We didn’t use the SPA circuit that is part of the premium package because it wasn’t explained to us what it actually was when we checked in and we were only staying a few days so we didn’t ask. Breakfast was great. Loads of choice. We used the snack bar at lunchtime rather than the buffet restaurant. Being premium we could choose off the menu or use the help yourself buffet. We did both whilst there. The food on the menu was nice - the buffet was your usual buffet snack bar food. We ate in the buffet restaurant in the evenings - I had Chinese one night which was nice but the food temperature was borderline cold. Husband has paella - also Luke warm. The added extras on the premium buffet were very nice. First big disappointment of the holiday was the pools. Being a mum of two pre teen boys who don’t join in much or go to kids club - the entertainment for us is the pool fun. Sadly this was hard to come by. The minute we sat down on our loungers (of which there were plenty) we were told we couldn’t use our li-lo. We asked, if we purchased rubber rings instead, could we use those - no! Pool attendant then spent the rest of her time stopping everyone using inflatables. I understand this is some kind of law and it’s either a safety or a hygiene thing or both but we sat and looked at the pool whilst sitting on our sunbeds and it felt like the hotel where the fun died. It was really sad. We had been at the Barcelo Corralejo Sands 2 years prior and had been allowed to use our inflatables there - so this was a real shock. Not to be beaten we played with our ball a bit but - and here’s the other important point - we found the pools so difficult to be in. My kids love jumping in, they love diving under the water for sinkers but they just couldn’t spend any time under the water (even with goggles) because the water (salt water pool) was saltier than the Dead Sea. I kid you not. It was awful. Such a shame and left us a bit bored at times although we tried to make the best of it with some ball games. Didn’t see any entertainment because we were visiting at quite a busy time and there wasn’t room in the theatre when we got there so I can’t comment on that. Our room was clean and spacious but there wasn’t any milk for tea so we had to go to reception to ask for it and on our 2nd day, only t

Nice friendly service but too few staff. If you want a chilled holiday experience this is not the place as it’s constant music and entertainment around the pool which suits many but there is no quiet time. Pool is not as big as it looks and only one is heated. Gets rammed full. There are issues with the amount of sun loungers and the ‘towel reservation’ is annoying. We went first week of the kids school holidays so peak time but the situation is not well managed as the signs would suggest. Food is nice with healthy choices to be had. Spa facilities tatty and black mould between tiles in pools etc and missing tiles. If you want proper gym equipment this isn’t great. Running machines etc not the best quality and feels worn out. Great friendly staff at the spa though. There is a great magician act once a week in the evening entertainment which is well worth a watch. There is efficient table drinks service in the theatre so make use of it as it saves queuing at the bar. It’s not obvious there is table service in there and people queue when they don’t need to. There is a sports bar to walk to and can be used with AI - wear sturdy foot wear as the board walk is in really bad condition with loose board, holes, screws sticking out. Bit dark in places so take a torch. There are shops around. Many being holiday tat shops but there is a pharmacy and little supermarket. Got to be honest, this is not the best example of a Barcelo we have staged in which was disappointing. Elements are ok and I can’t fault the staff. I wouldn’t return though.

Hotel very helpful with room allocation as my Husband has mobility issues. Dining room has tables near the food counters for people with reduced mobility. Food was good in main restaurant, not so great at pool snack bar often long wait for chips etc. pool side bar needs more staff often a queue of 17 people with 1 member of staff serving. Varied entertainment throughout the day & some good evening shows. We were given a bottle of Cava as we were there to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Plenty of sun beds but not enough shade. Will book Royal level adults only on our next visit.

A really nice hotel that is a good 4 star. Nice room, beds and restaurant and all the staff were very friendly. The beach is right next to the hotel and there are lots of bars, restaurants and a supermarket a short walk away. There were lots of sunbeds around both pools and didn't ever struggle to find them. We used the tennis, football & padel courts and hired pedalo's and the UFO in the harbour, all were good fun. To the left of the hotel, the bars & restaurants are ran by Barcelo and are more high end, where to the right they are bit more rough and ready "brits abroad" style. We booked the excursion to the water park directly with the hotel was a really good day out. We also enjoyed the market that was held on the Saturday at the bus stop.