Estival Islantilla

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Maravilhoso 🤩

The Estival Islantilla is a hotel of contradictions. It's asthetically stunning, but at the same time, it has no atmosphere. The staff are exceptionally professional, yet seem joyless in their roles (no one smiles). The place is spotlessly clean, but shows signs of disrepair and age. Rooms are nice and spacious, but there's very little storage space. The beds are doubles (not twins like many hotels), but are about as comfortable as sleeping on rocks! There was aircon in the room, which didn't work. The balcony has an outside light, which turns of at midnight so no late night sitting outside to read when you can't sleep because of the rock hard beds. There are plenty of sunbeds, but no easy bar access from most of the poolside. The restaurant is well organised and the food is mostly good, but after a few days you realise choice is somewhat limited. The main bar has a lovely outside seating area, which is only available to sit in during mealtimes. The hotel is a complete smoking and vaping free zone, apart from a tiny section right at the far back of the hotel grounds, which has no access path. It's just a dirt area behind some trees with a few stone chairs. It's away from everything and really not easy nor convenient to get to. Definitely not accessable to those with mobility issues. One night (around 10 pm) my partner and I were sitting alone, 50+ feet from anyone, at the far back of the hotel grounds, outside. We decided to vape as it would hurt no one. Suddenly a security guard came stomping over from about 100 foot away and started shouting at us in Spanish. Fortunately, I know enough Spanish to tell him we were all alone, with literally no one else around. He replied (in Spanish) that he didn't want to suffer our vape! I mean, he was initially over 100 foot away and so was only "suffering' because he stomped over to us! I could understand if we were being inconsiderate of others or smoking, but we were vaping and literally bothering no one! I'm totally fine with the hotel being smoke and vape free, but the only concession is a hard to access dirt spot nowhere near anything except an outdoor bar that closes at 5pm. After that, you're out of luck if you want to relax with a drink and a vape. Better concessions need to be made or the travel agent (TUI) needs to be clearer about this policy when booking! The absolute worst thing is the desperate lack of atmosphere. No music by the pool. No real day time activities. Hard to access bars from the poolside and if you decide to accept all this and lay back to relax, you'll then become the constant target of kamikaze flies with no concept of fear. Constantly landing on you. Oh, and these flies bite! We ended up covered head to toe in bites. Overall, the Estival has a lot going for it, but it's ruined by badly though out policies, zero atmosphere and joyless staff. It's not been a terrible holiday, but it's also just not a place we'd recommend! You can get better for less money. After two weeks

We arrived after afternoon meal had finished. Reception staff were great, telling us all the details we needed to know and where to find the snack bar, great snacks…burgers, hot dogs, chips, pizza, chicken, chilli, salad and more. Room was lovely and bright and spacious for a couple. Meals lovely, always fish or seafood which my hubby loved, as someone that doesn’t eat seafood I never went hungry either, the themed evening meals meant it was never boring, but regardless of theme there was always pizza, pasta, chips and salads, so great for kids or basic eaters. Worked our way thru the cocktail list and loved them. Always plenty of sunbeds and although the hotel is huge and pretty busy there was never queues anywhere. Staff in dining area was the most organised I have ever seen, always showing you to your seat. The only negative I could say is coffee from bars isn’t good and there is tea making facilities in the room, but doesn’t get stocked up during the stay, we did buy from local shop so solved this. Location ……just wow. Gated area leading to the beach is so good and plenty of local shops. Honestly can’t wait to return.

We loved it! You have to manage your expectations, it's about 5% British and we loved that. You have to immerse yourself in the whole experience. Reception speak English as do front of house at the restaurant and everyone else you need to make the effort. It's so refreshing and getting out of your comfort zone. My daughter is a celiac and they catered for this. Food is good yes it's all inclusive but the quality is excellent. Swimming pool and the sunbeds. For such a big hotel the swimming pool is just never busy and the sunbeds are free till about 11 when they are all taken. There is no need to rush to get one. The rooms are good not massive but good enough. The beach is on the doorstep and that works and you get a big discount on the beds / umbrella if you are all-inclusive. The entertainment is just so funny, all in Spanish and again you have to get involved. Us Brits (There were 9 of us) roared the magician on and got involved in dancing. We will never forget 'SUPER MARIO' an Italian chap who could not speak English but joined in with us Brits supporting the acts! Overall its a lovely hotel and you should not be put off by the lack of English people. Embrace it.

After staying here at the end of Aug 2024 both myself and my wife spent ages deliberating over a 3 or 4 star rating. If Trip Advisor allowed for incremental points. A 3.5 is where it would be. As it is we’ve listed it as a 4 star because of inconsistency through the experience but it is clearly a great option for some travellers. The positives first: Amazing choice of pools with the baby pool being secluded, the main pool being a great size and the activity/slide pool having everything a young family could want to entertain kids. Some incredible staff, including Ade who was simply brilliant from day one to when we left. She really is a shining example of what great staff can add to a hotel when you have them. The food is of a good quality and has enough variety to keep you interested. No small feat with a hotel of this size. Play parks, toilets and multiple bars make the day experience easy. A well equipped gym for those that want to take advantage of it. Close proximity to the beach and a short walk to the popular shopping centre and night spot. The site is exceptionally well maintained and landscaped. The choice of drinks and the quality of the non alcoholic options is amazing. A few of the negatives now and those “inconsistencies” mentioned: The staff are really all over the place. With a few who care and are very attentive balanced by some that are oblivious, plain rude and untrained. An example of this is the various bars where every bartender will prepare your chosen cocktail differently. A fact not lost on guests who we all spoke to and multiple said they had to actively avoid certain staff as the drinks they made were awful. I didn’t believe it until asking for a mojito and one staff member simply chucking rum into a Fanta lemon and moving on. Housekeeping also has this issue with some room cleans on days being impeccable and other days it barely being wiped over or touched. Including broken items we found after they had been in clear resulting from a rushed job or disregard for care. Reception staff were also hit or miss. Check in was great. Check out barely knew what the hotel was called. Rooms are small. We booked an upgraded to a junior suite and I wouldn’t bother if staying again. Final note for all coffee drinkers to not get excited when you arrive. The modern and pristine barista quality machines at each bar are not included and are pay extra. Inclusive coffee comes from the other, rather dated and poor quality machines producing sub par coffee. Something that should be included at this price point and is elsewhere. Still, all being said. A great place for families where pool and location is key. A few changes and staff quality training improvements and this place could really justify its 4 star claim and beyond.