Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level – Adults Only

My friend and I went for our second visit to Royal Level and had the same great experience as before. The rooms are good, the pool is beautiful. The staff are very friendly and well trained. A great escape from the English dreariness to a week of sunshine. The downsides are the food at the evening buffet is average and there aren’t enough sun-beds so sun-bed wars a little annoying, but I think that happens at many hotels. We hope to return next year.

A Royal disappointment We thought the Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level Adults Only, All Inclusive, would be a bit special, especially as it is considerably more expensive than other parts of this huge complex that encompasses the Fuerteventura Mar and the Fuerteventura Castillo. We were so wrong! We arrived at about midnight because our Jet2 flight was 2 hours 40 minutes late. The hotel was not equipped to receive such late arrivals, with the ‘Royal Level Adults Only’ reception closed and only one night time receptionist on duty. Although day time arrivers would have had a buggy to transport them, along with their luggage, to their accommodation, we were left to drag our suitcases the ten minute walk to our suite. A security guard was tasked with showing us the way but did nothing to help us even though we were struggling over the rough ground in the dark. When we reached our suite I went straight to the toilet only to be greeted by a large, fat cockroach. (Yes, I know there are cockroaches everywhere. I just didn’t expect to find one within 30 seconds of arriving at my Royal Level suite!). Worse was to come when we went through to the bedroom and realised that our suite backed onto the road, directly opposite a small commercial area where a couple of bars were in full loud party mode and stayed as such until about 2am. The next morning we asked to be moved and were initially told that wouldn’t be possible as the hotel was full. However, one of the managers, Carolina, managed to find us an alternative which, although it wasn’t as spacious as our original allocation, we accepted because it was in a quieter location. The accommodation in the Royal Level area is comprised of mainly bungalows with a few 2 level buildings, set out close together in a rather claustrophobic maze. There is no pleasant view from the terraces, which open directly onto the walkways with no boundary walls, offering no privacy while sitting outside. Neither is there any security because the Royal Level is accessible to all from both the road and the beach. There is a sign from the beach saying ‘Royal Level exclusive access’ but that wouldn’t keep anyone out. We felt we couldn’t leave anything outside (e.g. wet costumes etc) because anyone could lift them while passing by. Probably the most disappointing thing about the Royal Level was the food. The standard here was very poor for choice, availability and quality. The meat was, generally, inedible. There were no separate utensils for serving vegetarian dishes and the cooked dishes were invariably cold. In the Not-Royal Level parts of the complex (the Castillo and Mar Hotels) the range and quality of food was much better. Of course, we were free to go to any of these other restaurants but why should we trek over there when we have paid for what we thought was superior accommodation already? The other most disappointing thing was the lack of availability of sun beds around the Royal Level pool. There simply weren’t enough for the number of guests in this area and, by 8am, they were all reserved. Also, because this area could be accessed from the beach, some of the beds were taken up by people who weren’t staying at the Royal Level. This was only challenged if any of those people tried to buy a drink at the bar. They would then be asked to leave. This same area around the pool bar was the only place provided for coffee or drinks after dinner. Sometimes there was a singer on a small stage behind the seating area. Once again there weren’t enough seats for the number of guests so they had to be augmented with some hard plastic garden chairs. Hardly Royal Level comfort! If it rains there is no alternative unless you want to walk out (in the rain) to the Hotel Mar where, apparently, there is more entertainment. Again, it seems that if you pay less you get more! Having said all that, the one exceptionally good aspect of this area was the staff. They were all absolutely fantastic - pleasant, hard working, attentive, efficient and good fun. We couldn’t fault them and feel sorry that we will never see any of them again because we would never go back to this resort. All in all, our stay at the Royal Level, Adults Only was a big (and expensive) disappointment and we couldn’t recommend it to anyone. If you enjoy or don’t mind the company of children you would be much, much better off at either the Castillo or the Mar. There you would have more, and better, facilities with the chance of a sea view.