Barceló Punta Umbría Mar

We loved this hotel. It has a walk onto the beach location, and a beautiful pool area. It’s right beside the nature reserve so there’s also great walking too. Our room was spacious with a lovely balcony and sea view. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. It was clean and quiet. And the breakfast buffet was very good. I would definitely recommend and would love to go back and stay again.

Nothing really. The gym was a bit hot, but we were there during a heatwave so not sure it could have been different.

The hotel has/is going through a refurbish, our room was brand new!! There was no annoying noise from the other area of the hotel still being refurbished. It was being done very discreetly & professionally. The beach is accessed directly from the pool area via a short board walk over the sand dunes to the beach. The beach is very clean, lovely sand with numerous amazing shells to find washed up on each tide. The sea is tidal with a gentle slope, there did not seem to be any strong currents & swimming was safe. The lifeguard station were not manned whilst we were there. The sand dunes are home to rabbits, birds & flowers & there are extensive pine woods extending west full of wonderful flora fauna birds & animals, there are many board walks to access the beach through the pine woods. Everywhere was extremely clean & tidy, staff were all friendly & spoke when they saw you. Food selection was good but very similar each day. We were there for 1 week but if you were there longer it might get a bit boring. Quality of food was excellent. Room was excellent in every way. We emailed in advance asking for a first floor room which was granted, we also asked if a kettle was in the room & they replied to say they would make sure one was at no extra cost & it was. There are several restaurants within walking distance to the hotel but they were not open in May when we visited. You need half board if visiting in the quieter months.

The hotel did not sell Sangria the traditional Spanish drink!!!! Drink selection was limited, especially in dining room the red wine was kept in the fridge when it should be at room temperature. The only beer available was bottled. The dining room prices were much more expensive than the bar. We bought drinks in the bar & took them to dinner. When we arrived the hotel was only a quarter full & this was shadowed by the selection of dinner choices, as the week went on the hotel filled up & so the dinner choices grew. Some of the hot food was cold when you had plated it & sat at your table. This again improved as the hotel became busier. It must be very difficult for them to keep it all hot when not many guests are staying. The distance from hotel to town centre was too far to walk in an evening & the busses only run in the summer high season. You stayed in the hotel as there was no where to go.

Location, facilities, room, and the friendliness of the staff overall

1. Check-in and check-out times are excessive. I spent at least 30 minutes in line before being attended to. 2. Meals should be more varied — there’s too much pork, turkey, and chicken.

The food is amazing - the right amount of variety - always options for fish, meat and veggie. The Staff is amazing! Always available to help - Fair prices for drinks.

The indoor pool needs to be paid a part and booked in advance.