Barcelo Montecastillo Golf

The rooms look a little worn, though it seems renovation is already getting underway. Everything else was wonderful, and the service was amazing without being snooty. I'd definitely stay again.

Service was great the whole way through, from check-in to check-out, and the location is great too. The room could use some renovation, especially the bathroom. It only has a bath with a shower fitted over it, which I didn't like.

The people working here made the biggest difference. Marta at reception went far beyond what we expected, sorting out lots of things at check-in and later to make our stay better. She was always warm and ready to help, no matter how often we asked, and even arranged a birthday cake for us at very short notice. Jade also went out of her way to try to book a restaurant for 14 people. Lucia, Patricia and Esperanza, and the other receptionists, were all friendly and helpful too. The restaurant and bar staff were just as lovely and efficient. I remember Rafa, Lopez, Nicolas and Diego, though there were others whose names I didn't catch. The chefs were on hand with several food intolerance issues and offered to make different dishes. Roberto, the assistant manager, regularly checked around the hotel to make sure everything was okay, handled a difficult situation calmly and stepped in to help busy staff. The cleaning staff were pleasant as well, and would come later if I wanted to stay in the room until lunchtime. They always greeted me warmly. The room, restaurant and other areas were spotless and smelled nice. Rooms were spacious, with good storage, useful amenities, comfortable beds and a choice of pillows. Breakfast had plenty of options, including a separate range of gluten-free bread, cereals, biscuits and cakes, plus plant-based and lactose-free milks. The dinner buffet had lots of allergen-friendly options, though it was somewhat repetitive. Quality was okay rather than outstanding, perhaps because it's made in large batches. The hot dishes and stews were best, while the grill was inconsistent. A few things could be better, and none of them were the staff's fault. Check-in and questions during the stay involved long waits, even outside high season. There should be another reception desk or more staff during busy times. The hotel is remote, about a 20-minute drive from Jerez, and could use more evening entertainment. We took taxis into town, which cost 22€ each way. The drivers were reliable and nice, especially Antonio, who arranged several rides for us and even messaged to ask if we needed a pickup. When you return late, the bars are shut at midnight. After that, the minibar is the only option, with a limited selection of gin, rum, brandy, beer and mixers. There's no liqueur, sherry or cocktail for a nightcap. It'd be better to have a bar open until 2am. The heated pool costs 25€ for an hour unless you're on an all-inclusive rate, although five-star hotels generally offer guests a free heated pool out of season. I understand it's a spa pool, but in winter it would be the only pool available. Even with the outdoor temperature at 35°, the outdoor pool was really cold. The gym was okay, but tiny, with no floor space for yoga. With those things improved, our stay would've been perfect.

We're here for the Christmas break, and the resort, food and people have all been great. The staff have made us feel very welcome, and a few people in the SnackBar went above and beyond for us, the other guests and especially any children who came in. I don't know whether service like this is standard in Spain, but it's been special. We'll come again. One small annoyance: the doors slam extremely loudly if left to close by themselves, and the sound echoes down the hall. It may be a fire safety feature. That's not unique to this hotel, though, and a reminder to anyone staying in a hotel that you can close the door gently.