Caprici Beach Hotel & Spa

The grounds were tidy, the pool area was pleasant and the location was excellent, so this hotel clearly has potential. But several problems overshadowed our stay, and we left with very mixed feelings. At check-in, nobody explained the dining arrangements, drink choices or whether any package covered water at lunch and dinner. We saw guests taking large bottles in the restaurant. One employee sold us water and said a larger bottle was only for certain groups when we asked about getting one for our large family. Later, we saw other guests with large bottles who weren't in an organised group. Another employee handed me a bottle when I asked, so naturally we thought it was allowed. The next evening, a restaurant employee came to our table and rudely told us water wasn't included. She took away our glasses and said we'd only get them back after buying water. It wasn't about the cost; we can pay for our own water. The problem was that nobody had clearly explained the rules, and the way she treated us was humiliating. We complained through Booking.com. The hotel then offered free water and wine for the rest of our stay, but we don't drink alcohol and never wanted free drinks or special treatment. We expected an honest apology and for them to recognise that their poor communication had caused the misunderstanding. Instead, the manager said it was entirely our fault for taking the water. We asked for a refund for the remaining days so we could move elsewhere, but they refused. The restaurant disappointed us in other ways too. Online photos suggested a varied, high-quality dining experience, but the menu changed very little day to day. After a few days, our children were tired of the same dishes and didn't want to eat there. We repeatedly found dirty dishes, including a plate with food still stuck to it. Glasses were often not properly clean, and we found hair in the food several times. That left us seriously concerned about kitchen and restaurant hygiene. Our room was cleaned every day, but the cleaning was often superficial and dirt remained in places. The towels were old and worn and needed replacing. The children's playroom stayed closed our whole visit, with no kids' activities or entertainment. We even had to specifically ask for simple colouring pages. It's a shame, because the location, pool and well-kept grounds could make for a pleasant holiday. Instead, poor food, hygiene concerns, unclear information and the way management dealt with our complaint dominated the experience. We won't recommend it to families looking for good service, clear communication, quality food and a comfortable holiday. Sadly, we'll remember this holiday for the wrong reasons.

The direct access to the beach is the one clear advantage, and the receptionists were very friendly, just like the pretty lobby. But don't be taken in by the entrance: the rooms feel decades old, they're small, the beds are poor, the furniture is old, and the bathroom needs updating. There's no outlet near the bed for charging a phone. At this price, you can find much better hotels in town. Breakfast got the day off to a bad start. The staff were unfriendly and loud, scolding one another and making a racket while we were having coffee. The breakfast room is a dark basement with no light. And apparently you're expected to leave with an empty mouth, since you can't even finish half a piece of melon on the way out. Ridiculous.

We had an awful stay, and the hotel looks nothing like the photos. Its location on the beach near the train station is convenient for reaching Barcelona, and the pool and surrounding area are nice. Those were the only positives. Our flight was delayed, so we arrived late, but nobody offered us dinner or even a glass of water. The room was smaller than advertised, run-down and not very clean, with one power outlet and a fridge that leaked. Meals were repetitive and low quality. The sausages were worse than pet food, and every cake tasted the same. There were barely any activities or entertainment, and nobody offered us a takeaway meal on departure day. I'm very disappointed and definitely don't recommend it.

The pool and beach area are really nice, and reception staff were friendly. Breakfast was good too. But the rooms are very outdated and long overdue for an update. If all you need is somewhere to sleep, this place is fine. For comfort, a little luxury, a modern feel or tech, I'd look elsewhere.