We have just returned from the Iberostar Costa Dorada, we were there from 20th Sept - 4th October. The holiday was fantastic from start to finish. We travelled with Mytravel from Manchester and upgraded to Premier Gold. It was well worth the extra money (pre flight drink, free magazine, free drinks and extra films and comfortable leather seats with lots of leg room). We also booked a taxi from the airport to the hotel and were checked in and off to our room before anyone else arrived.
We were greeted with a drink and check in was smooth the staff friendly. We had a room in block 6 on the ground floor which had a view of the sea and gardens. We were very pleased with the location of the room. We had requested a Junior Suite, but there were none available, however this was a good room between the pool and beach bars and very quiet. The room was always cleaned really well, only on one occasion the maid had forgotten to leave us towels, when we telephoned they were brought to us within minutes. The mini bar was stocked daily even though they stated it would be every other day.
The food was excellent especially the buffets. There was ample choice and if you couldn't find anything to suit you here then you won't eat anything anywhere. It was always fresh, I never heard of anyone with a bad stomach in this resort. There were also a la carte restaurants. We tried the Mexican, which we enjoyed, but preferred the variety in the buffet restaurant. If you are late getting up in the morning and miss the breakfast in the main restaurant, you can get one in the pool bar restaurant from 10am till 12 noon. From 12 noon onwards lunch is available, and you can also have lunch in the main buffet restaurant. While we were there they did a barbecue on the beach twice at lunchtimes.
The pool was massive with a jacuzzi in the middle. There were plenty of sun loungers round the pool, we did find people reserving beds early in the morning, but if you weren't bothered where you sunbathed then you would always find somewhere. It was very hot round the pool area because there was no breeze there from the sea. There was also the beach with a lot of sunbeds and plenty of shade under the trees. We sunbathed on the terraces overlooking the beach, we thought we had best of both worlds there. You could walk down to the sea or back to the pool, it was also near the beach bar and the pool bar and near our room.
We tried a massage with we both enjoyed, it was $30 for half an hour or $60 for an hour. I booked half an hour but was there an hour, so that was good value.
I had at least 2 Pina Coladas every day, they were gorgeous. If you wanted soft drinks during the day, then you just helped yourself. You only needed to ask at the bar for alcoholic drinks. The service in the evenings of drinks was very good, we never waited long to get served.
The entertainment was on the whole very good, some of the shows were very professional, and some others were the usual games etc which many other hotels have. It must be hard to find something different for 14 nights. The singers before the main show started from 9 - 9.30pm were very good. During the day there was always something going on if you wanted to take part, but you were never pressurised, so it was up to yourself what kind of holiday you had.
The staff were all really friendly, and couldn't do enough for you. It didn't seem to make any difference whether or not you tipped them, you were treated just the same.
The grounds were immaculate, and the garden staff worked really hard in the sweltering heat. There were peacocks strolling around the grounds and mummy had some babies with her while we were there. There were also flamingos, Koi Karp and turtles.
The shop at the hotel was very expensive, take plenty of sun tan lotion and toiletries with you. A British daily newspaper is also very expensive.
We would definitely return again, maybe during the winter months when I believe it isn't as humid.
All in all a wonderful holiday, I wish we were still there.
Val & Dave
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