El Cid

1 reader found this review helpful

If you want a nice relaxing and friendly hotel then PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE,! don't go here. I have never met such rude and arrogant staff. The reception staff wouldn't exchange currency for us but did quite happily for any person who was not british, the restaurant staff were really rude and i had to clear my own table between courses. I was screamed at for sitting at a table set for four when there were only three of us. Never ever again!!!!! Yes the location is good but it's so quiet you may as well take a tent into an empty field. This is not a 4* hotel and after a week cruising completely ruined our holiday. First Choice should remove it from thier brochure.

We stayed at the El Cid great hotel right on the beach we were spoiled for choice with the meals all the waiting staff were so tuned in no sooner had a table been vacated then it was ready for the next people no faults at all great service. The room were spotless overlooking the beach or pools with a balcony linen changed and towels on request, very helpful asked for 2 more pillows were given them straight away. the pools 2 outside were clean and the area,s around them were clean plenty of beds but could do with some new umbrellas not enough to go round the bar pools were understaffed only 1 bar tender and 1 person doing the meals to much need more staff in that department. the hotel is placed almost on the clean white sands leading to the calm sea and level sands no nasty suprizes ideal if you have children really safe beach with patroling life guards. overall the holiday was great and we will be going back again next year more for adults the El Cid they dont cater for children really which is nice if you want a quite holiday

Just returned from a 1 week holiday. Rooms very clean, towels and linen changed daily; always able to find a sunbed to sit by one of the two outdoor pools, although not a very good selection of poolside snacks. Staff did not understand English as well as they understood German but most people were friendly. Food was fine, lots of variety most days. Location superb! Bars, restaurants and shops within minutes. Hired bikes a couple of times, which was a good way to get around and also created a pleasant breeze as the weather was very hot. Supposed to be adult only hotel but there were several children; although they did not cause any problems. It appears that other tour operators consider the hotel is for families. Only major complaint was about the entertainment - there was none to speak of. Board advertised different acts throughout the week but the hotel chose to have the TV on in the lounge for a handful of people to watch the football. I complained to the rep and was told that 'some' people wanted to watch football so the entertainers (who did arrive) were not able to perform. Fortunately we had booked the Pirates show for Saturday; well worth seeing. I would definitely consider going back to this hotel when no European football is scheduled.

We have just returned from a lovely holiday at this excellant hotel., although I agree it does seem to favour the German taste in food, there was always something there to our liking, and very well cooked and presented., all staff with the exception of the reception staff (who gave you the impression they were doing you a favour) were helpful, friendly and welcoming, the cleaning staff were brilliant, the whole hotel was sparkling., being partly disabled, the facilities were fine, with places to re-charge batteries for scooters and wheelchairs. Can Pastilla is wonderful for a lovely relaxing holiday, but not not lively enough for the youngsters, you need Arenal for that, just a short drive away. We will definatetly be going back again. Wonderful hotel, wonderful location!!

Arrived at the El Cid on the 10 June 2008 for one week , first impresions were a very clean Hotel, but the food in the restaurant was very poor Especialy the breakfast ( Avoid the Cornflakes at all cost ) the Limited Entertainment was dissapointing and the bar staff were unfriendly.
This hotel has a perfect beach Location with planty of shops and bars .
Next door to the El Cid is a British bar which is Rickys Tavern where you were made welcome.

The hotel management must have read the previous review as throughout our visit they were most friendly and helpful.(especially the bar staff) At the price we paid for this hotel we were pleasantly surprised. It was very clean with lovely balconies and a nice pool area facing the sea. The rooms are simple and basic but large enough with a pleasant bathroom and newly painted with clean curtains and bedcovers. The large bar downstairs feels a little bit in the 60's but the furnishings are refurbished. The indoor pool is lovely in winter when the sun comes in early evening. If you are looking for 5*luxury this is not it but for a "very nice hotel" at a reasonable price I would not hesitate to book this hotel again.

Stayed at the El Cid in Can Pastilla with my family and friends. Eight of us in total with an age range of 14 - 45.
We arrived in the early hours of the morning and the non English speaking receptionist wasn't even expecting us!! However he very quickly allocated us our rooms. The hotel wasn't the best 4 star we have stayed in but it was acceptable.
The rooms were kept very clean and towels changed on a daily basis. I think the furniture gives the Hotel the appearance that they are stuck in a time warp.
The Hotel staff don't communicate with you that well. Reception was a bit hit and miss with staff, a couple very helpful and couple not so.
The entertainment in the hotel wasn't great but there was plenty to see outside of the Hotel.
The food wasn't great either, especially if you have teenagers. A lot of Germans seemed to be staying at the hotel and the food was catered for them really which disappointed us as we have stayed in some great 4 star hotels with fantastic food.
Our family loved the pool areas, however I would have liked more sun brollies. (no towels on the sunbeds every morning though!!) Can Pastilla was a nice place to stay the beach was really clean the sea was beautiful and there was plenty of bars and restaurants.
There was also a very good regular cheap bus service that covered all of the surrounding areas for you to visit. If you want the night life then Arenal, which is the next resort, will serve you very well.
Overall we had a great holiday, however the people were not that friendly and when you are smiley happy people that can make quite a difference. If you are going to Can Pastilla I'm sure you will have a lovely time.
Our first choice rep was a waste of time though. I don't really like wasting any part of my holiday which I ended up doing one afternoon for a whole hour. He was scheduled to be in reception at 4pm and never arrived, charming!!

1 reader found this review helpful

Spent 1 week here in June 2006. The Hotel and rooms were very clean with friendly, helpful staff. Towels changed daily, Beds were changed 4 times in the week. Rooms cleaned daily. Cleaners are there 24hrs a day, on call, the public facilities were exceptionally clean. All the corridors are carpeted, so there is no noise from other guests using them.
In an excellent location, all the rooms have wonderful sea views. We didn't experience any aircraft noise at all during our stay. Even though the airport is only a few minutes away. This hotel is best suited to adults, as there are no special facilities for children. There were only three children in the hotel during our stay. There is a pool at the front of the hotel overlooking the beach, with a bar service. There is also a pool at the rear of the hotel also with a bar. Both serving food.
There is a small indoor pool with loungers, there was entertainment every evening in the main bar, which is quite a large and very comfortable area. The waiters were very helpful. We found the meals very good, all buffet service, the only problem at meal times was, it was very busy when the doors were first opened for evening meal. It’s best to wait and go in a bit later. The doors opened at 6.30pm until 9.00pm.
Everything you could want as far as shops and restaurants are only 5 minutes walk away. A bus every 10 mins to Palma and Arenal, runs 100 meters from the rear of the hotel. The promenade is quiet with limited traffic allowed, so it’s a safe place to walk.
It was also spotlessly clean, as was the beautiful beach. Ca'n Pastilla has a lovely harbour lined with restaurants and small bars. If your looking for disco's and nightclubs its not the place for you. There are plenty of those at Arenal, around 2km away. You can walk there along the promenade. Which has shops bars and restaurants the whole length. We have already booked to go again next year. We had a lovely time at the El Cid. Ca'n Pastilla is a beautiful resort.