Iberostar Isla Canela

The Iberostar Isla Canela relies on a classic Spanish style, incorporating elements of the country's Islamic and Catholic histories into the decor. Subtly highlighting the brand, the center of the lobby is star-themed, including a star-shaped fountain encircled by columns which in turn creates a star-shaped skylight. The archways between columns are made up of small curves, reminiscent of mosques. The walls are a sunny yellow cement surrounding brown- and red-toned seating. Large and high-ceilinged, the lobby has plenty of places to take recline and relax, offering anything from plush couches and ottomans to high-backed chairs. Yet it remains fairly quiet indoors, with most guests opting to lounge by the pool or at the beach.

The sheer size of the hotel highlights the need for crowd control -- something the Isla Canela struggles with at times during the height of the season. The Ayamonte restaurant is spacious, with white, high-backed cushioned chairs that seem a little fancy for a buffet, while the two-floor El Rocio Theater bar has seating with a sizable stage.

The beach-front Isla Canela is away from the commercial center of Ayamonte, in an area with other hotels and private homes. There's one small supermarket about five minutes away, but not much more. Buses to Ayamonte run from right outside the hotel for a small fee, but reliability varies. There's also a ferry nearby that will take you into Portugal, and the reception can facilitate booking daylong excursions into southern Spain. The Seville Airport is about an hour and 45 minutes’ west by car.

Standard rooms at the resort are clean and crisply designed in white and brown. Not overly large but a moderate size typical of chain hotels, each unit has room for a double bed with a white leather headboard, a plush brown reading chair, and a small desk. Rooms also have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but Wi-Fi will cost extra. All spaces have balconies, and the hotel's remote beachside location means it's unlikely you'll get a bad view -- most spaces overlook the pool or the greenery around the estuaries and beach. Bathrooms are moderate in size as well and come stocked with toiletries.

The suites at the Isla Canela are quite lovely, with two floors, sizable living rooms, separate bedrooms, and terraces with four-poster lounge beds.

The waterfall- and shell-themed spa at the Isla Canela offers massages and body wraps, and also has personal hot tubs in spa rooms. For the more active guest, there’s a big, well-equipped fitness center with a range of cardio and weight machines and free weights. The poolside entertainment team also runs classes and activities throughout the day. While the outdoor pool may be crowded, the smaller indoor pool offers a quieter atmosphere to swim or float. The designated children's pool at the resort is small, but the daily kids’ club playroom is large, and the program is multifaceted. A billiards and foosball area flanks the pool bar, and there’s an on-site tennis court too. The beach is close by and has lounge chairs and parasols.

The Ayamonte buffet restaurant is large and plentiful, serving a variety of international foods. A seasonal a la carte restaurant offers additional options. The resort also has a meeting space and can accommodate big groups, though the property's location and general vacation vibe don't attract many business travelers.