Sol Barbacan Hotel

The Sol Barbacan Hotel maintains a relaxed, modest feel, while providing more activities than expected from a mid-range property (although it bills itself as upscale). Guests have access to bocce ball, table tennis, tennis courts, and miniature golf, though many of these games incur an extra charge. 

Young visitors may also enjoy the activities and games at the kids' club, which is open daily in the summer for children ages five to twelve. Another popular spot for kids (and families) is the pool complex. 

Though the pool area is fairly simple, the palm tree centerpiece in the larger pool and the faux-rock trimmings of the smaller pool give the space more character, as do the pools’ curvy designs. In addition to the two regular pools, there is a separate one for kids. The pool complex is well-maintained overall, but a bit dated. The poolside entertainment, which includes music and games, is seen as fun by some guests, but those looking to soak up the sun with little interruption may find the activity disruptive. 

The Sol Barbacan is situated in the commercial town of Playa del Ingles. The hotel's location off a busy intersection means there is sometimes a bit of noise, but generally the area remains quiet and the large garden helps buffer the sounds. The property is surrounded by shops and restaurants and offers easy access to buses and taxis. The beach is a bit too far to walk to, but is within a few minutes' drive from the hotel. The airport is roughly a 25-minute drive away. 

The units at the Sol Barbacan range from two-room, apartment-style suites to two-bedroom, two-floor bungalows. Each unit includes a living room, a kitchenette with a mini-fridge (or larger in the case of the duplexes), a coffeemaker, a kettle, a microwave, a two- or four-burner stove, and dishware for at least four. The bedrooms look particularly plain, however, as they are sparsely furnished and have bland bedding. Bathrooms are also simple, but sizable, and the peachy-beige tiling and wood trim add warmth. Each suite comes with a large balcony that features lounge chairs and a small table with additional seats. The duplex bungalows offer significantly more space for lounging -- including rooftop patios -- but all units are furnished in the same style and include small flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning.

With kitchenettes in every unit and a supermarket that is open seven days a week, the Sol Barbacan makes it convenient for travelers who want to keep down costs by preparing their own meals. However, those guests who don't want to cook may appreciate that the Sol Barbacan features a mix of restaurants and bars. Options include a buffet restaurant serving breakfast and dinner (daily breakfast and dinner can be added to room charges at check-in); the El Portalon restaurant that specializes in Basque cuisine for lunch and dinner; the pool bar equipped with hot and cold snacks, pizza, pasta, and burgers, as well as cocktails and ice cream; and the Don Fernando bar, a classic European café that features nightly entertainment.

Though Sol Barbacan is a mid-range chain hotel, it encourages a resort-like feel by offering a variety of daytime poolside activities and periodic nighttime entertainment.

Freebies such as parking and Wi-Fi add to the value. Some guests may be frustrated by the slowness of the Wi-Fi connection, however.