Barceló Fuerteventura Castillo

This large resort in laid-back Caleta de Fuste gets its name from the 17th-Century castle that now sits in the middle of one of the three swimming pools. Those little quirks aside, this is every bit a big and bustling all-inclusive resort. The style throughout is pleasantly modern -- with bright bars, clean-lined rooms, and details like touch-screen information kiosks -- with a splash of local charm thanks to the design, which incorporates a lighthouse, and echoes a traditional fishing village. The style of the restaurants range from a cute pizzeria with traditional terra cotta floors to a beach-chic eatery with bright blue walls, distressed wood, and arched windows; and a sleek all-white glass-walled bar that juts out at the tip of the headland for stunning panoramic views. The overall look is neat, with palm-lined paths that are excellent for families and travelers with reduced mobility. Keep in mind that it can get noisy here, as the resort pulls lots of families and there's entertainment throughout the day and night. In fact, much of the entertainment was geared toward kids during our visit. Even so, you'll see plenty of couples and groups of friends among the mix of guests.

Barceló Fuerteventura Castillo Beach Resort has a prime location on the seafront in central Caleta de Fuste -- a mostly quiet town of other resorts and hotels on Fuerteventura. The hotel’s large grounds sprawl out over the headland that forms one end of the wide public sandy beach next to the marina. Like the rest of the Canaries, water sports are huge here and there are dive centers, wind-surfing, and kite-surfing outfits throughout the town, which is just a short walk from the hotel. It’s a five-minute drive to two 18-hole golf courses: Golf Club Salinas de Antigua and Golf Club Fuerteventura. Fuerteventura’s airport is 10 minutes away by car or taxi.

Studio-style apartments and bungalows are housed in low-rise white buildings around the sprawling complex, and travelers should be aware that some rooms may be quite far from the resort's features. The decor across the board is soft, simple, and clean-lined -- gray features heavily, though some look more polished than others. For instance, the Deluxe Studio that we visited had more interesting design details, like boldly striped accent walls and more contemporary tiling. Others, like the Superior Bungalow we saw, look a bit less fresh, with blonde wood furniture. The beach-inspired art in those rooms, though, does perk things up.

Standard amenities include air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs, plus a small kitchenettes with microwaves, cooktops, mini-fridges, kettles, and toasters. Unfortunately, there is no free Wi-Fi in rooms. Balconies or terraces are included as well, and the best have ocean views. Cribs can be provided on request at no extra cost. Deluxe Studios consist of a sleeping space, lounge area with sofa bed, and dining tables and chairs. Bathrooms in this category are open-plan, with a toilet cubicle, walk-in shower, and sink unit that’s used to divide the bathroom from the lounge area. Hairdryers are provided. Superior Bungalows are larger, at 560 square feet (52 square meters), with separate living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and mosaic-tiled bathrooms with shower/tub combos. They can sleep two adults and two children. Superior Beachfront Bungalows have a balcony or terrace with views out over the public beach, toward the sea.

The prime seafront location is the main appeal here -- the hotel makes the most of its stunning views over the wide sandy beach to the rustic hills on the other side of the bay. Travelers should note that the beach is manmade and public, so the resort can’t offer beachside service. During our visit, this beach was undergoing an expansion, which was completed in spring 2017.

Away from the beach, the Barcelo has some impressive on-site features. Three saltwater pools are surrounded by sun loungers and thatched umbrellas, with separate pools for children. Only the smallest pool is heated. Keep in mind that the number of kids and ongoing entertainment do mean that noise levels are quite high. Guests have also commented on some possible upkeep needed around the pool areas.

Several restaurants and bars include a cute traditional pizzeria, a buffet restaurant, and the sleek El Faro bar (with its own gin trolley) offering stunning views of the marina, beach, and bay. The food receives mixed reviews across the board. While all-inclusive rates are available, they come with restrictions and only include meals at the buffet restaurant (among other limitations). Guests will also find an ice-cream parlor, two pool bars, and a marina-side theater with nightly shows tailored to children.

Other activities include mini-golf, paddle tennis, tennis, and basketball facilities on-site, as well as a spa and fitness center, and a colorful kids’ club with outdoor play area. All-inclusive rates do include some of these activities, so check ahead if you're not on that plan. Water sports like kite surfing, wind surfing, and diving can be arranged nearby. Wi-Fi is only available for free in the lobby -- a contributing factor to why it’s always so busy. A well-stocked supermarket is handy for guests on a self-catering basis, and there’s plenty of free parking.