insideKENT Magazine Issue 71 - February 2018 | Page 119

Besides the massive effort to honour the foodie
theme of the evening, there are many other
options provided and I’d put money on the
fact that even the pickiest of eaters could never
go hungry here. Alternative hot dishes – at
least two fish and meat every evening – were
fresh and imaginative, and breakfast and lunch
are just as impressive (the omelette station
deserves an award in its own right), providing
fantastic variety and really good quality
ingredients.
In line with this confident, but not showy
approach, the layout of the hotel has been
expertly planned to ensure you can relax while
your children wander. From the grand
reception area (with vigilant security protecting
the entrance/exit doors) you walk straight
down to pool one, which is smaller and ideal
for kids that can swim and want to splash
about, on to pool two, which is huge and great
for adults and competent swimmers, before
heading down again to pool three – right next
door to the excellent kids’ club – which is
surrounded on all sides by shaded loungers
and located close to a bar/restaurant and a
toilet block, so perfect for babies and toddlers.
Nothing feels hemmed in, but everything feels
safe and it flows, so kids and adults get their
bearings within minutes. There is a trusting
tranquility that pervades the entire hotel, so
as a parent you can relax while keeping a quiet
eye on your children – a box tick that’s worth
its weight in gold.
Come the evening, of course there’s
entertainment – if your averse to a decent
flamenco act, or a collection of well-sung
covers, then you’re probably better off at the
bar behind pool three, which is much quieter.
Personally, we loved being in the thick of the
action. The acts that perform each evening
are competent and talented, and the setup of
chairs and tables along with waiter service
from the bar allows for a few hours to switch
off and have a few drinks (and a dance if you
so wish). The kids’ club shows films and has
ongoing activities until about 11pm too, so if
your little ones want an alternative option it’s
available on a sign-in, sign-out basis.
Wonderfully, everything shuts at midnight,
so, like Cinderella running from the ball, you
can all retreat to bed in good time, safe in the
knowledge that a restorative sleep will be had.
I could go on and on about what makes the
Barceló Cabo de Gata the ultimate destination
for a family holiday and we haven’t even talked
about the rooms (which are, by the way, really
comfortable, quiet, dark enough to ensure
sleep, safe and spacious too) because I think
it’s pretty clear from what I’ve said so far that
this hotel has every ‘basic’ absolutely right.
Additional extras, should you feel the need to
tear yourself from your sun lounger, include
a lovely spa and indoor hydrotherapy pool
with parent/child sessions available to book
so you can all relax together, a gym, bike hire,
and a 24-hour reception where you can book
all manner of sporty and cultural excursions.
Oh, and it’s directly on the beach too, should
you fancy a stroll along the peaceful
promenade.
There is no shame in making sure that every
member of your family is catered for in terms
of comfort, food and fun on your summer
holiday and, if you’re looking for a hotel that
ticks all of these boxes in a location with half
the crowds that suffocate the Costa del Sol
come holiday season, then Almeria’s Barceló
Cabo de Gata is it. We’d go back on the strength
of the seafood alone…
*Rates at Barceló Cabo de Gata start from
£1,630 for seven-nights based on two adults
and two children sharing a family suite on a
half-board basis. For further information, please
visit www.barcelocabodegata.com.
Barceló Cabo de Gata
Almería, southeastern Spain
[phone]
www.barcelocabodegata.com
barcelohoteles
BarceloHotelsUK
barcelohotelsresorts
119