Xon's Platja Hotel Apartments

The pool was closed, and nobody told us before we booked. We only found out at the end of the trip, through our holiday provider, that we could use the pool opposite the hotel. Getting there meant crossing main roads, and it had no facilities. The hotel itself never told us about it. The outdoor area for children was old, damaged, and dangerous, and there were no sunbeds or outdoor seating. Our rooms were dated, smelled of bad drainage, had wires hanging from the ceiling, and sockets coming out of the wall. They were advertised as apartments with kitchenettes, but there was no kettle or microwave, which made things difficult with a baby. The staff were rude and made us feel unwelcome as a British family. They accused the children of stealing, and snatched forks and plates from their hands so other guests could be served first. Drinks weren’t included in the all-inclusive package, and they tried to charge us for water. Nobody at the hotel tried to make up for the experience, and they refused to take responsibility. We came for a fun family holiday and had a very bad time. If you want a welcoming, child-friendly hotel, don’t stay here.

There are plenty of shops around the hotel, and it’s about a five-minute walk to the beach. The rooms are good and the staff are nice. There are fun activities for kids, too. You get what you pay for.

The whole experience was disgraceful. The receptionist couldn’t find my reservation, said it was my problem, and refused to help. We waited 45 minutes while she kept turning us away, then she told me to book again and pay a second time. She wouldn’t give me a glass of water and sent me to buy one at the bar. She was aggressive, red-faced, and rude, and called security to have me thrown out. The guards were kind when I calmly explained what had happened. I asked several times for the receptionist’s name or the manager’s, but she wouldn’t identify herself. Then a man came over, also refusing to give his name. He spoke loudly from about a centimeter away, with his finger pointed at my face and two guards behind him. I walked away, but he followed me shouting. My partner asked him not to stand so close to me. The guards then stood between him and my partner, protecting the angry, heavy man instead of me. We left and had to find an emergency room late that evening. The hotel also refused to cancel my reservation when I asked, again saying it was my problem. I was so stressed that I couldn’t sleep all night. This could have been avoided if we’d been treated respectfully. That clearly isn’t a priority at Xon's hotel. The huge place smelled of fish, had nowhere to sit while we waited, and the walls and decorations were very old. The staff were appalling. It was the worst receptionist I’ve ever dealt with. Thanks for reading, and don’t stay there.

The staff throughout the hotel were outstanding, including the cleaners, and the breakfast was fresh with enough options. Inside, the dated-looking hotel has everything you need: a small kitchenette with utensils, a hob, and a fridge. The room was spacious, with a separate area and nice views. The air conditioning was lovely, too. I’d highly recommend Xon Platja in Empuria. Thanks to the whole team. We’ll definitely come back when we visit family again.