Europa-Park Erlebnis-Resort, Hotel Castillo Alcazar

The family of five had plenty of room, with comfortable beds, spotless surroundings, and lovely views over the park. Being able to use different pools from 7am to 10pm was great for swimming before or after the park. Breakfast had lots to choose from and the food was excellent, though the room felt chaotic at busy times. It was a real treat overall. A couple of smaller things: the wardrobe was tiny and there was no fridge. The bigger worry was the window on our 8th-floor room. It opened all the way inward, and the kids were excitedly watching the rides until we shut it. It was a straight drop of eight floors, so parents should be aware. We arrived late, tired, and carrying lots of bags. The door staff didn't offer help or mention that luggage trolleys were available. The directions we got sounded clear at reception, but once we left it we wandered in circles and got more frustrated. There weren't signs until we were almost at the lifts. A few signs and a little help at the door would have made arrival much easier.

The good parts were the location, very close to the park, and a big breakfast. It was tasty and had plenty of choice, though the room was hectic and disorganized. There wasn't a coffee machine, so you had to ask for a particular kind of coffee. The bedroom was so dark that it was hard to see your own hand, let alone unpack. Some of the pictures I added are enhanced, so they make things look better. The bathroom was well lit, so the room lighting can't all be explained by the theme. There was no mini-fridge or kettle or coffee machine in the room. I've never stayed at a 4-star hotel without a mini-fridge. We booked for three adults but got one double bed made of two singles pushed together, plus a kids' bunk bed for the third person. The mattresses were very hard, and the bedding made us sweat like crazy. The wardrobe was about the size you'd expect in a single room. Face cloths were taken and not replaced. There were no bathrobes, slippers, or other things I'd expect even at a 3-star place. The toilet seemed to date from the 90s, without a soft-close lid. There were safety concerns too. Several hooks were at children's eye level, and I think a running child who fell against one could be badly hurt. The shower step was high and could get slippery with water. For me, this doesn't deserve its 4-star rating. I'd barely give it 2 stars, and it's a long way from any Disney hotel.

We had a lovely view of europapark, and the location couldn't be better. The rooms are roomy and mostly comfortable, and the staff were friendly. There's a nice bar downstairs and another upstairs for smokers. The hotel is quite large and has a pool, though it isn't heated.

The rooms were spacious and clean, and the staff were kind and helpful. Their English was good enough to answer our questions. From our room we could see either the theme park or the other hotels and countryside; that second view made it easy to imagine being in the Mediterranean countryside. We were so pleased with our stay that we're sure we'll come back.