Gran Casino Royal Hotel Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava

I have only completed 1 review and that was 6 years ago but as none have been done for this Hotel thought I would have another go, here it is:

I took my partner and our 6 year old son for a cheap holiday during October 2006 half term, after looking at several deals we opted for an all inclusive here mainly because of the cost. Full cost less than £500 for the 3 of us, flights (with Ryan Air), transfers, all meals (buffet style), drinks (alcoholic as well as soft) etc. For those that are thinking all inclusive ties you to the Hotel all I would say is I have done every sort of holiday during the last 10 years and been lucky enough to go away 3 or more times a year from 5* AI to 2* SC, I'll try anything once. The best thing to do is compare, AI only ties you if you spend all your money on the holiday in advance. You are permitted to leave the Hotel and eat or drink anywhere else, but what it does do is take away the cost of soft drinks for the kids round the pool, ice creams, afternoon coffees or beers etc etc

Back to this review, the Hotel was large and simple ,located 10 min walk from beach and 5 from the plentiful shops, meals simple but plenty of it but don't expect large variety during the week stay and you may become bored with it but my son found something to eat each time we dined which if you have fussy kids is always good. Fairly small restaurant for the hotel size means you are allocated time slots to use which can restrict but we were never stopped from entering at other times but this may change in peak periods. Bar area large with live entertainment nightly although fairly dark, this is non smoking, room at back for smokers or tables outside. Also has pool table and games machines for kids although these were subject to breakdowns. You are issued on arrival with photo card which you must show when ordering drinks, 2 per card per visit to bar
allowed.

Outside there are 2 pools, 1 small kids and 1 main which we tended to avoid as they were not too clean during our visit and there is a small kids play area with swings and a climbing frame, loungers supplied but sometimes struggled to obtain one so must be scarce in height of summer. Lifts are available as Hotel over several floors but are not very reliable, not suitable for disabled or those who struggle with steps/stairs when we went.

Rooms are basic with small TV (remote from reception needing deposit) and not much English variety for kids, can be noisy as corridors are long and echoing and if others party into the night on their balconies you will hear them ,believe me. You also have access to sister hotel in area, we did not use this so I can't comment on that sorry. Nor can I comment on casino joining on as kids not allowed in, hence hotel name.

Overall we got what we paid for, cheap and cheerful, would personally avoid summer season as it could prove too noisy for families, this view shared by others we spoke to. Having said all this if you want a cheap get away in kids hols then you could do a lot worse, young people could use this Hotel as a base if you want cheap food and drink and somewhere to put your head in the morning after clubbing. We enjoyed the break which is what we wanted, but as I said I would avoid in Summer and certainly pay not much more for this Hotel than I did.

This was our first visit to Lloret and we would go back, shops are decent if typical of a holiday resort, beach is long, superb cocktail bar on front with the biggest drinks I've seen for a long time. Plenty of bars and places to eat out as well if you prefer SC or B & B.

Last word of advice, Barcelona football match trips are available from reception. These are various prices and if you want to book do NOT assume that if you pay more then the extra money goes on match ticket, it doesn't. We upgraded an extra £20 per ticket and discovered the match ticket was only £8 more and we spent £12 more on same coach journey as others who did not upgrade. Moral is as long as you don't mind heights don't upgarde! Not Hotel issue as this is the tour operator setting prices.