Pros

  • Direct access to La Barrosa Beach
  • Beautiful Andalusian architecture throughout grounds and interiors
  • Tasteful, airy rooms have balconies and pretty bathrooms
  • Three restaurants offer great food (all-inclusive rates available)
  • Three on-site bars, including beach and poolside locations
  • Kid-friendly activities and pool
  • Live shows, tennis, golf, and horseback riding available
  • Reasonably priced spa has great facilities; gym access is free
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Two meeting rooms available
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Cons

  • Little within walking distance; car required to reach town center
  • Seasonal hotel and some seasonal restaurants
  • Many extra charges (underground parking, safes, sunbeds)
  • No coffee- and tea-making facilities in rooms
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Bottom Line

Closed in the winter, this upscale property is a classic holiday hotel, with direct access to La Barrosa Beach, gorgeous views from the balconies of its 274 rooms, poolside and beach bars, and discounted rates for the adjacent golf club. Tasteful rooms have conveniences like minibars and free Wi-Fi, but there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. All-inclusive or half-board booking options include meals at the three restaurants, but two restaurants are closed for part of the year, and charges still apply for extras like in-room safes and sunbeds. While the town center requires a car to reach, a spa and gym, tennis lessons, live shows, and kids’ sports offer enough on-site entertainment for couples and families. The more contemporary Parador de Cadiz has chicer rooms and comparable rates in the center of Cadiz. 

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Iberostar Selection Andalucia Playa

Scene

Classic Andalusian architecture and holiday vibes at this resort-like beachfront property

Open through spring, summer, and fall, this Iberostar outpost with direct access to the beach is a big draw for families and tourists looking for a warm weather getaway. Geometric arches framing the indoor and outdoor walkways, patterned tiles in the lobby, and Andalusian fountains around the lawns give the hotel an elegant Moorish quality. Plenty of indoor seating, a pretty courtyard with a shaded veranda, and well-manicured gardens provide a classic holiday resort feel. The property shares some common areas with an adjacent Iberostar hotel, but crowds don’t seem to be an issue, and the overall vibe is peaceful for families and couples without being boring.  

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Location

Beautiful and quiet beachfront location; 15-minute drive to town center 

Unsurprisingly, the hotel’s beachfront location on Playa de la Barrosa is its main attraction, so guests mostly remain on property while staying here. The surrounding area, a mix of hotels and private homes, is quiet. Besides the shops at the Centro Comercial Novo Center (eight minutes away on foot) and the Real Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club (a 10-minute walk away) there are few tourist areas within walking distance outside the property. The center of Chiclana de la Frontera is a 15-minute drive away. The Sancti Petri Castle is five minutes away by car. Jerez Airport is a bit over 45 minutes away by car. Seville Airport is about a 90-minute drive away.

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Rooms

Simple but tasteful -- with minibars, balconies, and free Wi-Fi

Most standard rooms here go for an airy and simple aesthetic, with earth-toned tile floors and clean white linens. Wall prints featuring animal life hang above headboards, and large armchairs provide a comfy seating area. All rooms have balconies with garden, partial sea, or full sea views (usually the preferred option). Double Sharing Pool rooms come with direct access to the outdoor pool, while Suites are larger, with separate living areas and panoramic beach views. 

All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Safes come with extra charges. While minibars are provided, they’re stocked mostly with alcoholic beverages, and coffee- and tea-making facilities aren't available. Ironing equipment must be requested. 

Bathrooms aren’t luxurious, but they are pretty -- featuring the same patterned tiling as the lobby. All have shower/tub combos, simple toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

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Features

Direct access to beach, three restaurants, free gym, several kid-friendly amenities

With a boardwalk leading straight to the Playa de la Barrosa's teal water, the large beach is the hotel’s standout feature. However, it’s not a private space, so while it’s a lovely area and the SeaSoul Beach Club offers casual lunches and evening drinks right on the sand, setting up sunbeds comes with extra fees. In fact, additional charges apply often: for the underground parking, spa, and Wi-Fi in common areas after the first free 30 minutes; even extra pillows and towels require a deposit. 

The all-inclusive option does cover meals at the three restaurants (all with dress codes), although it's useful to note that only the La Barrosa Buffet Restaurant, offering a solid selection for all three meals, is open throughout the hotel’s slower months. Cataria and La Bodega use local ingredients and serve typical Andalusian fare. In addition to the beach bar, snacks and cocktails can be found at the indoor Lobby Bar and the bar by the large outdoor pool, which also includes a separate, small children’s pool. There’s also a decent indoor pool, but none of the pools are heated. 

Spa Sensations offers a huge treatment menu, a whirlpool tub, and a sauna in a spotless space featuring pebbled floors and wooden furnishings. A beauty salon offers the usual range of services. The well-equipped gym is free to use. Several tennis courts, the 36-hole golf course (guests get discounted rates), and beachside horseback riding provide more ways to stay active. Activities are organized for children. There's a separate lounge to relax in, but the room feels dated, and the other common areas, especially those featuring live evening music, are much more appealing for kicking back. 

A lobby shop sells souvenirs and beach equipment. Two event rooms accommodate meetings and weddings, but there’s no business center on-site. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Iberostar Selection Andalucia Playa

Scene

Classic Andalusian architecture and holiday vibes at this resort-like beachfront property

Open through spring, summer, and fall, this Iberostar outpost with direct access to the beach is a big draw for families and tourists looking for a warm weather getaway. Geometric arches framing the indoor and outdoor walkways, patterned tiles in the lobby, and Andalusian fountains around the lawns give the hotel an elegant Moorish quality. Plenty of indoor seating, a pretty courtyard with a shaded veranda, and well-manicured gardens provide a classic holiday resort feel. The property shares some common areas with an adjacent Iberostar hotel, but crowds don’t seem to be an issue, and the overall vibe is peaceful for families and couples without being boring.  

See More Scene

Location

Beautiful and quiet beachfront location; 15-minute drive to town center 

Unsurprisingly, the hotel’s beachfront location on Playa de la Barrosa is its main attraction, so guests mostly remain on property while staying here. The surrounding area, a mix of hotels and private homes, is quiet. Besides the shops at the Centro Comercial Novo Center (eight minutes away on foot) and the Real Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club (a 10-minute walk away) there are few tourist areas within walking distance outside the property. The center of Chiclana de la Frontera is a 15-minute drive away. The Sancti Petri Castle is five minutes away by car. Jerez Airport is a bit over 45 minutes away by car. Seville Airport is about a 90-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Simple but tasteful -- with minibars, balconies, and free Wi-Fi

Most standard rooms here go for an airy and simple aesthetic, with earth-toned tile floors and clean white linens. Wall prints featuring animal life hang above headboards, and large armchairs provide a comfy seating area. All rooms have balconies with garden, partial sea, or full sea views (usually the preferred option). Double Sharing Pool rooms come with direct access to the outdoor pool, while Suites are larger, with separate living areas and panoramic beach views. 

All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Safes come with extra charges. While minibars are provided, they’re stocked mostly with alcoholic beverages, and coffee- and tea-making facilities aren't available. Ironing equipment must be requested. 

Bathrooms aren’t luxurious, but they are pretty -- featuring the same patterned tiling as the lobby. All have shower/tub combos, simple toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

See More Rooms

Features

Direct access to beach, three restaurants, free gym, several kid-friendly amenities

With a boardwalk leading straight to the Playa de la Barrosa's teal water, the large beach is the hotel’s standout feature. However, it’s not a private space, so while it’s a lovely area and the SeaSoul Beach Club offers casual lunches and evening drinks right on the sand, setting up sunbeds comes with extra fees. In fact, additional charges apply often: for the underground parking, spa, and Wi-Fi in common areas after the first free 30 minutes; even extra pillows and towels require a deposit. 

The all-inclusive option does cover meals at the three restaurants (all with dress codes), although it's useful to note that only the La Barrosa Buffet Restaurant, offering a solid selection for all three meals, is open throughout the hotel’s slower months. Cataria and La Bodega use local ingredients and serve typical Andalusian fare. In addition to the beach bar, snacks and cocktails can be found at the indoor Lobby Bar and the bar by the large outdoor pool, which also includes a separate, small children’s pool. There’s also a decent indoor pool, but none of the pools are heated. 

Spa Sensations offers a huge treatment menu, a whirlpool tub, and a sauna in a spotless space featuring pebbled floors and wooden furnishings. A beauty salon offers the usual range of services. The well-equipped gym is free to use. Several tennis courts, the 36-hole golf course (guests get discounted rates), and beachside horseback riding provide more ways to stay active. Activities are organized for children. There's a separate lounge to relax in, but the room feels dated, and the other common areas, especially those featuring live evening music, are much more appealing for kicking back. 

A lobby shop sells souvenirs and beach equipment. Two event rooms accommodate meetings and weddings, but there’s no business center on-site. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.