Looking for the perfect family holiday and considering booking Aparthotel Costa Encantada in Lloret de Mar, Spain? Confused by the wide range of positive (and negative) reviews online? We were, too!
During our recent 11-night stay at the hotel, we took extensive notes and photographs to share with you, to help you decide if this is the perfect holiday for your family.
Don’t want to read the full detailed review? Skip to our final summary!
Finding the perfect holiday for your family
Booking a family holiday can be a minefield.
We’ve all been there: you’ve spent months researching your next holiday, carefully saved up, booked the time off work, got everything packed, juggled the kids into cars, aeroplanes and coaches, only to arrive at the destination to find it’s a huge disappointment.
By then, it’s too late. Better luck next time.
No refunds.
Our experience of Costa Encantada, Lloret de Mar
We loved our holiday, and were impressed by how family-friendly Aparthotel Costa Encantada and facilities were. Most guests also had young children, and we really enjoyed the mix of different nationalities staying at the hotel (including Spanish, Italian, French, German and British).
While we can’t tell you if Costa Encantada is the perfect hotel for your family (everyone is different), we can tell you everything you need to know to make an informed choice.
In this article, we’ll describe in detail everything you and your family need to know before booking, including:
What is the hotel like? What time do the pools open? When is the best time to nap? How much does food cost locally? How far is the nearest beach? Is it pram-friendly?
Read the article in full, or use the links below to skip to the most relevant part for your family:
- Departure airports and transfers for Costa Encantada holidays
- Arrival and check-in at Costa Encantada
- Hotel rooms at Aparthotel Costa Encantada
- Pool area, sun loungers and splash park
- Costa Encantada Kids Club and suggested nap times
- Costa Encantada Accessibility and safety
- Local Shops near Costa Encantada
- Food and Drink at Costa Encantada
- Restaurants near Costa Encantada
- Costa Encantada Hotel Facilities & Wi-Fi
- Entertainment at Costa Encantada
- Local Trips and excursions from Costa Encantada
- Review Summary: A Family-Friendly Getaway at Costa Encantada and Beyond
- FAQs for Families Considering a Stay at Costa Encantada
Who are we?
We are a family of five (yes – holidays DO get much more expensive for five!).
A teacher and an NHS worker with two daughters (8 and 3) and a son (6), from Yorkshire in the north of England, UK.
Although we write our reviews as Brits, we hope readers from around the globe will find them useful.
Before having children, we loved to travel. We’d book a beach holiday or city break with little forward planning and few worries about what we’d do once we were there. Carefree travel – bliss!
However, with young children in tow, things need a little more consideration, which was the inspiration behind this blog. (Read more in the About Us page.)
The holiday we wanted – family holidays to Spain
It’s worth explaining more about the requirements we had for our family holiday.
There was lots to consider: flight time, temperature (we didn’t want to cook the kids!), transfer time, cost, entertainment for the children, beaches, and relaxation opportunities for Mum and Dad.
We considered several destinations – Tunisia, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey and Spain.
In the end, Spain seemed to offer the best balance of travel time, cost and temperatures in August.
According to the Office for National Statistics Travel Trends report, Spain is far and away the most popular holiday destination for Brits – almost twice as popular as France (in second place) – so it’s no wonder that you’ve found yourself reading this review!
The two main contenders for travel operators to Spain within our budget were EasyJet and Jet2. We also wanted the reassurance of a reputable provider.
EasyJet had a sale on while we were looking, but Jet2 fly from our local airport (Leeds Bradford Airport), which is only around 40 minutes away from us, as well as offering a free child place.
This would be our first trip abroad with the children by air – we’d previously driven to France for a fantastic Euro Camp stay – hence the desire for a short flight time.
The main holiday feature we agreed on was a hotel with plenty for the kids to do – pools, a splash park, kids club and beach. If possible, we wanted the opportunity to soak up some local culture, too.
Our booking and travel dates
In January 2023, we confirmed our booking for 11 nights bed and breakfast at Aparthotel Costa Encantada, Lloret de Mar, from 13th to 24th August.
Our outbound flight departed at 6am from Leeds Bradford to Girona airport, with the return flight departing at 10am back to the UK. We felt these flight times offered the best balance between arrival time at the hotel and checkout times on the return leg (more on this later).
Airports which fly to Girona for Costa Encantada holidays
Jet2 fly out to Girona Airport for Costa Encantada Hotel bookings from the following airports.
If you are between two or more airports, it’s worth checking the difference in holiday costs, as they can vary;
- Birmingham (BHX)
- Bristol (BRS)
- East Midlands (EMA)
- Glasgow Intl (GLA)
- Leeds Bradford (LBA)
- London Stansted (STN)
- Manchester (MAN)
- Newcastle (NCL)
Airport Parking at Leeds Bradford Airport
We booked our airport parking via Holiday Extras, and chose the medium stay car park, which is a 3-4 minute walk to the airport entrance.
Parking was plentiful, but, it being 2.30am, we did get a little lost finding it, and ended up in a one way route through the pick-up/drop-off zone (which costs £6 to exit!)
Thankfully, with a press of the buzzer on the machine and a helpful attendant, we were able to get out without being charged.
Tip: use the assistance buzzer on the gate for help finding the correct parking location. DO NOT STOP – even for a few moments – in the ‘no stopping zone’ at Leeds Bradford Airport (indicated by double red lines on the road) – you WILL be fined by a private parking firm!
Flight to Girona with Jet2
Once inside Leeds Bradford airport, we found the baggage drop off / check-in process very straightforward and the Jet2 staff very helpful and efficient.
Tip: once through security, there is a free water fountain in the stairwell next to the lobby area – perfect for topping up drinks bottles! We also took small 66ml bottles of Squirty Squash concentrate (£1.49 from Aldi)
We were able to sit together on the plane, and, despite concern about legroom (Will being 6’ 4”), the cabin felt roomy and comfortable.
Transfer from the Airport to Costa Encantada
The Jet2 ground staff at Girona airport were equally as organised and helpful as those back in the UK.
The short walk to the air conditioned coach was made simple thanks to carefully positioned staff, offering directions at strategic intervals. A friendly rep on the coach made sure we had everything and were happy to set off.
The short transfer time of around 40 minutes was a consideration when booking the holiday, so we were pleased to find our hotel was the first drop-off enroute.
Arrival and check-in at Costa Encantada
As the coach approached the hotel just after lunch, we were a little concerned by the first impressions of the surrounding area – lots of hotel apartment blocks and hotels – although we needn’t have worried (more on this later).
The attractive hotel reception (think marble floors and pillars, and lots of glass) was quite busy with other arrivals, and we did have a 10-15 minute wait to speak to the reception team.
However, once it was our turn, the lady we spoke with (Gail, a Scot, as it happens), was very friendly, welcoming and helpful. She provided us with a map of the hotel complex and also the local area, marking the hotel location and various points of interest on for us. She was able to suggest a range of local shops and restaurants.
Tip: Ask for one more room key than you think you’ll need – leave the extra card in the slot in the room to leave the air conditioning operating if you pop out!
Important note: There is a local tourist tax to pay on arrival, of around €9.00 per adult. This is not set by the hotel and is not a scam! Read more on the Catalonia local authority website.
Hotel rooms at Aparthotel Costa Encantada
We’d assumed we wouldn’t be able to access the room until 3pm, but were delighted to be told our room was ready as we arrived. We were given room 556 – the end apartment on the top floor, overlooking the pool.
Inside, there was a bathroom, kitchen / dining / living area, bedroom and balcony. The room had an effective, built-in air conditioning unit, which could be adjusted via an electronic wall control. After a day out in the hot sun, it was a relief to be able to cool the room right down to a comfortable 21 degrees.
In case you missed it earlier, be sure to ask for an extra room key to leave in the wall slot, meaning the air con will stay on all day. Everywhere had tiled floor, which also helped keep the temperature down.
The bathroom featured a large mirror, toilet and bidet, shower over bath (handy for young ones), towel rack and hooks, shaver socket, hair dryer and large marble sink.
As we were staying on a bed and breakfast basis, we appreciated the small kitchen area. It contained a few essentials to help us get by: microwave, two electric hobs, sink and drainer, several cupboards and an under counter fridge with ice box, as well as pans, utensils, chopping board, bread knife, crockery, glasses and cutlery.
Tip: on arrival, check the dial in the fridge – set it to 4 or 5 if you want to get the small freezer box cold enough to keep anything frozen. We took a big pack of ice pops with us to freeze to keep costs down!
There was a medium-sized TV in the living / dining area, which had a handful of channels in English, including BBC 1, BBC News, ITV 1 and (crucially) CBeebies! A dining table with four wooden chairs separated the kitchen and corner sofa area. Jane found the full-length mirror on the wall useful.
In terms of sleeping arrangements, the decent size bedroom contained two single beds pushed together, and the corner sofa in the living area converted to three beds (one being a pull-out from under the sofa).
Storage was ample – with a large double wardrobe in the bedroom (which also contained a small safe) and a full height corner cupboard just inside the entrance door.
Outside on the balcony was a small table and four plastic chairs, as well as a really handy clothes airer (perfect for hanging wet swimwear between pool sessions).
We’d read reviews online which suggested the rooms were ‘dated and tired’.
While it’s fair to say that ours would probably be best described as ‘basic and functional’, there was nothing really wrong with it – everything worked as it should, and, anyway, we were mostly only in it to sleep.
As silly as it sounds, one slight irritation was the lack of a sweeping brush – our children are…lets say… excellent crumb-creators (picture a pack of ravenous wolves devouring a box of cream crackers on a windy day and you’re somewhere near).
However, a friendly maid came every day to sweep and mop the floor, clean the bathroom, change the towels, empty the bins and occasionally change the bedding, which helped keep everything clean and tidy.
Tip: The cleaning staff appear around 11-12noon. Leave any towels in the bath to let them know you want fresh ones (handy, given all the sun cream being splashed about in our bathroom!)
Costa Encantada Pool area, sun loungers and splash park
A fun, family-friendly pool area was a must-have for us when choosing our holiday. Costa Encantada was absolutely perfect in this regard.
As all three of our children are all taking swimming lessons back home, we wanted a mix of slides, splashing and swimming pools, and the hotel offered all three.
Three distinct pools ran long the length of the hotel:
- Pirate-themed splash park, with four different water slides, water spray jets, tipping water splash buckets, crocodile and dolphin models and toddler-friendly water depth of around adult knee height.
- Main pool area, split into three circular pools, each around 1.5m deep, with one side a sloping floor to walk down into. Foot bridges cross over the channels where each pool meets, meaning you can swim for some way.
- A small, circular baby pool, very shallow depth – perfect for very young children.
The pool areas were open between 9.30am and 6.30pm, and attractively illuminated in the evenings.
The pool water was always the perfect temperature and very clean. Better yet, inflatables and lilos are allowed, which the kids loved (keep reading to find out where to buy them and for how much).
A team of attentive lifeguards overlooked each area. We felt really reassured by how active they were with guests – we witnessed them proactively help people in need (including an elderly lady who couldn’t get out of the pool).
They were quite strict about ensuring everyone followed the rules and stayed safe, often giving a blast on their whistles and a finger-wag if anyone was being irresponsible or inconsiderate.
One contentious area which always seems to cause issues on holiday is sun loungers.
You know the feeling – you try to wake up early to reserve a couple, only to find half the hotel must have set their alarms for 4am and put out a swathe of beach towels, leaving you to perch wherever you can.
This is where Costa Encantada have really applied some common sense: no-one is allowed to set out towels until 9am. There are also plenty of loungers and umbrellas.
Together, this means there is much less stress about reserving beds. We were able to find at least two or three loungers every day of our holiday, irrespective of what time we went to the pool. It was a refreshing change!
Tip: The pool team has a locked room next to the kids club where they store any lost property. We lost an inflatable, and the staff took me inside the room, which contained a huge range of lost armbands, floats, goggles and towels.
The pool maintenance and cleaning team were active at all times – collecting litter, keeping everything clean and tidy, and checking the pool water quality.
Costa Encantada video
You needn’t worry too much about leaving your possessions by your lounger as you go for a dip: we left phones, tablets, purses etc in a bag between our sunbeds every day of our trip. Virtually everyone else around the pool did the same.
The fact that most guests at Costa Encantada are also there with young children helps create a safe atmosphere.
Must-Have: Time spent jumping in the pool creates lots of great photo opportunities. But being in and out of the pools several times of the day can leave your mobile phone tricky to charge until the charging ports are totally dry. At Costa Encantada, you’ll see lots of guests with clear, waterproof phone pockets attached to lanyards and worn around the neck. We struggled to find these in the local area – think ahead and order from Amazon before you leave!
Costa Encantada Kids Club
The hotel offers a kids club in a large room on the ground floor, next to the pool area. Inside, the room is colourfully decorated, with children’s chairs and tables, a small ball pool, craft area and floor games.
The friendly staff offer face painting, play music and games with the children. The kids club is only for 3-12 year olds, and under 6s must be accompanied by an adult.
Suggested Nap Time For Little Ones (And Bigger Ones!)
Like much of Europe around the Mediterranean Sea, Spain generally gets very hot during the summer months between 12noon and 4pm.
If you’re still able to encourage your children to nap during the day, anytime between those hours is ideal.
The locals around Costa Encantada will generally siesta around that time (or, at least, have a break from work to go somewhere cool) and it makes sense for you to do the same.
When you walk around Lloret de Mar, you’ll notice that the streets and beaches seem to come alive again in the evenings, and stay busy until 11pm or even later. The temperature is much more pleasant by then, so socialising, shopping or exercising is often saved until dinner.
What worked for us was trying to wake up and go for breakfast as early as possible before going to the pool for a few hours. We’d then head inside between 1pm-2pm, have a bite to eat for lunch, then try to nap for an hour or two in our cool room. We’d then get up and showered before heading out for dinner around 7pm.
After eating, we’d often wander down to the beach for an evening swim and play on the beach (the sea is much calmer around 8pm, too!) And finally back for bed around 10.30-11pm.
Get in touch and let us know what your schedule looked like and what worked for you!
Costa Encantada Accessibility
Aparthotel Costa Encantada was easily accessible for prams and wheelchairs, in our view (we actually saw several guests in wheelchairs).
All main areas of the hotel have lifts next to stairwells, there are plenty of dropped kerbs around the outside of the hotel, and paths are flat and safe. Doorways around public areas were very wide, and room doorways were wider than standard domestic doorways (do contact the hotel if this width is critical for your family).
Two sides of the main pool had a gradual slope down into them, which would be helpful for guests with mobility issues.
We didn’t need to ask for help with moving bags or family members, but did spot hotel staff assisting other guests, where required.
The lifts had audio prompts (albeit in Spanish), but we didn’t see braille, which may be a consideration for visually impaired guests. Similarly, many lights around the hotel were on motion sensors on quite short timers.
Is Costa Encantada Safe?
From the moment we arrived at Costa Encantada, we felt safe and relaxed.
A friendly security team is stationed around the hotel entrance area at all times, and tall fences discretely surround the outer perimeter.
Our room had a small safe in the wardrobe to store any valuables (although we didn’t use it).
The main safety consideration for us was around the pool area (especially having one non-swimmer in our family). The team of 3-4 lifeguards we always alert and at their stations. We were impressed by how active they all were, right up to the early evening.
The atmosphere around the hotel was calm, relaxed and safe throughout our stay – probably thanks to the fact that almost every other group of guests had young children. Costa Encantada is most definitely a family resort.
Costa Encantada Hotel Shop
Directly to the left of the Costa Encantada reception area is the hotel shop.
Inside, you’ll find a range of basic essentials including bottled water, alcohol and soft drinks, crisps, sweets, chocolate and biscuits, plus a wide selection of holiday mementos, gifts, toys, games, toiletries and inflatables for the pool.
Although the prices are higher than the local supermarkets (keep reading to discover where these are), the location of the shop is very handy – particularly for bottled water, which is obviously quite heavy.
During our visit, a 6-litre bottle cost €2.40, with a 1.5-litre bottle costing €1.80. For comparison it’s possible to buy an 8-litre bottle of water in the local supermarket for around 90 cents. But, when faced with a 5 minute, uphill walk in 30+ degree heat, we happily paid the premium!
Just as with water, we found alcohol to be quite expensive in the hotel shop, so consider buying that in the local supermarket, if you are not all-inclusive.
Tip: Wherever you choose to buy your water, be sure to buy at least one 1.5-litre size bottle – these fit in the fridge door in the rooms. Simply refill it from the larger bottles to ensure you always have chilled water available.
Perhaps the best thing about the hotel shop is the wide range of inflatables on sale, which ranged from around €7.00 for an animal-themed ring (suitable for our 3 year old), up to €20-€30.00 for the largest designs, such as small boats or double lilos.
Tip: The shop has lots of inflatables still packed in boxes on the shelves. Instead, choose from the pre-inflated models on the display rack – save your breath! If you can’t see the design you prefer, ask the staff and they will use their pump to inflate.
Local Shops near Costa Encantada
Hotel Costa Encantada is conveniently located close to a range of useful shops.
The nearest, Caprabo, is less than a 5 min walk away (virtually next door) and appeared to be a Catalonian equivalent of Tesco or Morrisons back in the UK.
We were able to find familiar foods we knew the children would eat, along with some delicious baguettes, cured meats and cheeses for the adults. Opening hours are 9am- 9.30pm Monday-Saturday, 9am to 2.30pm Sunday.
Some indicative prices, based on our shopping;
- Local Catalan wine – from around €2.50
- Large loaf of white sliced bread €1.20
- White baguette €0.70
- 250g block of butter €1.50
- 330ml can of beer €0.65
- Heinz Baked Beans €2.40
- 8 litre bottle of mineral water €0.90
- Sliced ham from €1.00
- Jar of pasta sauce €2.00
- Large sharing bag of plain crisps €1.50
Nearest shop to Costa Encantada – Caprabo
There is also a smaller Carrefour Express (familiar to anyone who has visited France) a minute or two down the road directly opposite Caprabo (Avinguda America). The Carrefour Express is open 9am-9pm, seven days per week.
A few minutes further down the road is a chemist, should you need medicines, baby care or sun creams, (although both shops mentioned previously have a decent range of toiletries and medicines).
Dotted along the Avinguda America road which leads down to Fenals beach are a selection of holiday gift shops, hotels, eateries, clothing shops and a taxi rank.
Food and Drink at Costa Encantada, Lloret de Mar
Aparthotel Costa Encantada offers several board options:
- Bed And Breakfast
- Half Board
- Full Board
- All Inclusive
You may think you want (or need) all-inclusive, but we’d urge you to stay open-minded about the other options. It is possible to upgrade this via the hotel reception team, during your stay, if you change your mind.
Our stay was bed and breakfast. We asked for pricing to upgrade to all inclusive and the extra cost worked out at around €130 per day for our family. So, be sure to consider which board basis is likely to suit you.
Bear in mind that all inclusive stays are priced on the assumption you will drink a lot of alcohol. A combination of having three young children to look after and the hot temperatures meant that we drank only a little alcohol each day, and we didn’t feel that we’d have drunk any more, even if it was ‘free’.
Bottled water fridges are available for all inclusive guests.
Everyone in our family found lots to eat and drink at breakfast time, which set us up for the day.
If we got hungry during the day, we ate sandwiches and snacks, by grabbing supplies from the nearby supermarket. This also provided an opportunity to cool down in our air conditioned room.
We paid to eat in the hotel restaurant for dinner on several occasions. While we always found something to eat for dinner, there are down sides of the hotel restaurant, which we’ll cover shortly.
As detailed later, there are plenty of options for dining out, within a 5-10 minute walk of the hotel.
Breakfast
The restaurant is open for breakfast between 8am and 10:30am and is a buffet-style service.
Several food counters offer a wide range of breakfast options, including meats, cheese and breads; cereals, yogurts, jams, nuts and fruit; toast, croissants, biscuits and cakes, and finally, two hot food stations serving waffles, fried eggs, bacon, sausage beans, mushrooms, omellettes and potato.
Drinks machines offer teas, coffees, hot chocolate and hot water, and a range of fruit juices. We also took our drinks bottles to fill up from the water dispenser, to save money.
Cava is also available from an ice bucket, should you fancy a cheeky mimosa with breakfast!
Tip: The restaurant gets very busy from around 9.15am onwards. For the calmest, quietest experience (relevant for neurodivergent children, or tired adults), arrive from 8am.
To help us get by during the day, we took sealable food bags and took away fruit and muffins from the breakfast bar to eat at lunch time.
Pool Bar and Snack Bar
Simple snack foods are available between 10am and 6pm from the Pool Bar (next to the pools) and Snack Bar (located on the ground floor of the hotel, next to the arcade games room).
Both of these offer burger, fries, pizza, hot dogs and paninis, as well as crisps and other snacks.
Dinner in the Restaurant
Guests can dine in the restaurant between 7pm and 9.30pm. As with breakfast, we found this can get quite busy, so try going just before 7pm or much later in the evening, to try to beat the rush.
We paid around €60 in total for food in the buffet style dinner service. Infants eat free, and all drinks except water are chargeable extras, via table waitress service.
The food on offer was largely the same each evening, although the hot food prepared freshly by the chefs did change.
The food counters typically includes hors d’oeuvre, seafood, salads and soup; freshly grilled meat or fish with vegetables, rice, stews and sauces; pizza, chicken nuggets, fries and pasta; fruit, cheese, sliced meats and bread, and finally, a dessert station with cakes, puddings, flans, jellies, biscuits, yogurts and ice cream pots.
We usually ordered a bottle of wine, costing from around €10, which we felt was reasonable.
Aside from the busy atmosphere, we had some issues with the freshly-cooked food stations, with long queues forming (despite the chefs cooking as fast as possible), but we also found the food to be a little ‘hit and miss’ at times. For instance, the pork cutlets we chose we more fat than meat.
That said, dining here was straightforward, simple and also allowed the children to increase their independence by choosing their own food. Food quality was pretty much what we’d expect from most all inclusive style buffets.
Hotel Bar
Opposite the hotel reception desk is a bar, serving alcohol and soft drinks, as well as slushies and ice creams, between 10am and 11pm.
All inclusive guests can drink beer, wine and one or two cocktails, or pay a small premium for other drinks. Being bed and breakfast, we paid €3.50 for a beer, €6.00 for a cocktail and €3.00 for slushies.
Restaurants near Costa Encantada
There are numerous restaurants conveniently located in relation to the Costa Encantada hotel, many of which don’t require pre-booking.
We asked the hotel staff for a list of them when we arrived, and tried several ourselves;
El Rancho
El Rancho restaurant is perhaps a 6-7 minute walk from Costa Encantada – walk down to the main road through town and head left. El Rancho is on the right hand side.
It is a traditional Spanish restaurant which specialises in grilled fish, seafood, paella, grilled meats, pasta, pizza and salads.
We ate here on our second night and found the food to be generally good. We sat outside under the canopy in the early evening (perhaps too early – it got very hot!).
Grilled rabbit, grilled whole sea bass, pasta, steak and grilled chicken all arrived hot and within a reasonable time. Plates were large (we could easily have shared 3 or 4 dishes between us).
Staff were friendly and helpful, and the toilets (upstairs) were clean.
Along with a bottle of wine and two rounds of soft drinks for the children, we spent around €90.
Bar Bodega El Cid
El Cid was recommended to us as a traditional tapas style restaurant. You’ll find it between the hotel and El Rancho, so perhaps check out both to decide which you’d prefer to try.
Can Quicu I Mini Golf
If you follow our advice about visiting the beach in the evening, Can Quicu restaurant is a great place to eat as you walk down. We did just that a couple of times.
It has a large outdoor seating area (under a canopy for shade until later in the evening). Breakfast is also available in the mornings, should you want to hit the beach first thing.
For dinner, there are two menus – a small card of English dishes and the main menu which is more traditionally Spanish. The paellas looked amazing, although we were slightly less adventurous, given the children. The pizza was fantastic and pasta tasty, as was the Catalan sausage and bean stew (simple but delicious!).
For a family of five with a bottle of wine and soft drinks, we paid around €90.00.
Staff were very attentive and helpful, and clean toilets were inside, to the left of the bar area.
Once you’ve finished eating, why not have a go at the mini golf next to the seating area?! A slightly strange addition to a restaurant, but we played and had great fun. There are 18 holes, including some interesting challenges. Just be careful if you have any over-enthusiastic young players smashing the balls towards diners!
The mini golf cost €4.50 per club and ball and took perhaps 30-40 minutes.
Restaurant America and Restaurant Leman
These are close together and on the opposite side of the road to Can Quicu. They offer menus in various languages (including English) – see below. Both were busy (including Spanish diners), which is usually a good sign.
Meeting Ristorante
Again, this pizza and pasta restaurant is towards the end of the main road down to the beach. Food is served to either eat in or takeaway.
Burger King
If your family is just in need of some familiar fast food, a Burger King drive-thru and play house is virtually next door to Costa Encantada. Leave the hotel, turn left and you can’t miss it on your right.
Ordering food is really straightforward on the computer screens inside (which conveniently let you choose which language you want to use).
Once you’ve added your food to the basket, you’ll be given two options to pay: cash or payment via an app on your phone. Choosing ‘cash’ means you just go forward to the counter, hand the staff your order receipt and give them either actual cash (Euro) or a payment card. This took us a while to work out!
Watch for your order number on the screen. Once it’s ready to collect, you fill your own drinks cups at the drink dispenser (get ice from the middle part), and come back for any ice creams after you’ve eaten your meal (which makes sense, given the heat!). Simply pass your receipt to the staff when you’re ready.
There is seating on both floors, with an outside balcony, toilets and small play area upstairs.
Cost of Burger King in Lloret de Mar
For a family of five, we spent around €30.00 for three kids meals and two adult meals, with a dessert.
Local fast food, cafes and takeaways
There are several cafes and takeaways on the main streets around Costa Encantada, including pizza, kebabs, pastries and coffee shops.
Tip: Although some staff in shops and restaurants did speak some English, it’s worth learning some very basic phrases in Spanish. Be sure to install Google Translate on your mobile and download our printable cheat sheet!
Costa Encantada Hotel Facilities and Wi-Fi
Hotel Costa Encantada also offers a range of additional facilities, including;
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel. We found this to be quite good, apart from in some of the sun lounger areas, where the signal dropped.
On your device, look for ‘CostaEncantada’ network name and enter the password ‘Costa2022’ to connect (case sensitive).
Adults-only spa area
Enjoy quiet time in a jacuzzi, cold plunge pool and sauna, or book a massage or beauty treatment. Access to the spa was €15 for 1.5 hours, including a bath robe and drink. Treatments can be booked at the reception desk.
Quiet Relaxation Room
To the left of the hotel shop is a lounge area, with comfy sofas, a wide selection of books and lovely cool air conditioning.
We made use of this area during the very hot afternoons as somewhere the kids could stretch out and relax with a book or tablet.
Gym and Sports Facilities
Fitness fanatics can make use of the hotel gym in the basement, or the 5-a-side pitch and table tennis tables.
Arcade Game Hall
Located between the snack bar and the Mini Club on the ground floor, the arcade hall features a range of grabbers, pinball machines, air hockey, pool and computer games, typically €1.00 per turn.
Indoor Pool
On the ground floor of the hotel next to the snack room is an indoor pool, should the weather get too cold (or too hot!) outside.
Children’s Park
To the left of the hotel entrance is a small play area for children, featuring a climbing frame, slide, roundabout, seesaw and bouncing seats. The area is fenced off, with picnic tables for adults to sit at.
Be aware that the climbing frame is quite high in places and the floor is artificial grass, so not the softest landing.
Entertainment at Costa Encantada
Kids Mini Disco
The kids disco is something lots of reviewers on Tripadvisor have found confusing, with many expecting it to be indoors. The enthusiastic entertainment team start encouraging children into one of the shallow pools at around 6.15pm.
At 6.30pm, the music starts to play and the staff perform dance moves for the children to copy in the pool.
The 30 minute playlist was always fun and child-friendly, and included a mix of Spanish and international songs, with lots of splashing and jumping! During the final song (Baby Shark), there’s even a visit from a big blue shark, with an opportunity for photos poolside, afterwards.
Evening Entertainment in Entertainment Bar
At around 8.30pm each evening, the entertainment bar on the ground floor next to the pool opened, for performances including a magician, a dance troupe, Just Dance disco and fire juggling.
We only managed to see a couple, as they generally started at around 9.30pm, which was a bit too late for our children.
The bar has lots of chairs and tables, although it did get quite busy, so if evening entertainment is your thing, get there early to make sure you get a clear view of the stage.
Poolside Animation Team
At various points throughout the day, the animation team organise activities in the pool, including volleyball, water polo and aquarobics.
These were frequent (and fun) enough to keep guests entertained, but spread out enough so as not to be irritating, if it isn’t your thing.
Our children’s favourite was when the staff unrolled a large, floating foam mat ‘gang plank’ which children take turns to run along on the water and jump off the end to make a big splash. Really simple but loads of fun!
The animation staff are really enthusiastic and friendly, taking time to speak to children and make them feel special. The staff really are a strength of the hotel.
Outside Events Stage
At one end of the pool area is a raised stage, where Mickey Mouse and an animatronic dinosaur appears on a couple of occasions for photo opportunities during our stay.
Local Trips and excursions from Costa Encantada
Although we felt Costa Encantada was an excellent hotel to visit for families with young children, we were slightly disappointed by the immediate surrounding area, which is somewhat…’concretey’.
However, we soon discovered that by venturing a little way from the hotel, it’s possible to see some beautiful sights and landscapes.
Below are some of our favourites, along with some we didn’t quite make it to;
Fenals Beach, Lloret de Mar
If you stay at Costa Encantada, you simply must visit Fenals beach – ideally in the evening.
Even with a 3 year old in tow, we could reach the beach in under 10 minutes. The walk is easy: down a slight slope, along wide pavements, with pedestrian crossings and dropped kerbs across all roads on the way down.
The beach front is perhaps 500m from end to end, with a pedestrianised road running along its length.
Despite first appearances, the ‘sand’ is more like fine gravel. Initially this felt a bit disappointing, but we realised this was actually better in some ways, compared to sand. Brushing off small stones from wet legs is far easier than sand!
Tip: Although we did get used to the texture underfoot, it was quite uncomfortable at first. You’ll see many locals with beach shoes on (kind of like tight-fitting shoes made from wetsuit material). We struggled to find any locally. If you want to protect little feet from the rough, hot stones, get some beach shoes ordered online before you travel!
The sea at Fenals beach is beautifully warm and clear – ideal for swimming – and fish-spotting!
You’ll see locals swimming quite far out, as well as enjoying water sports such as kayaking, paddle boarding, pedalos and parasailing (it’s possible to book these from the water sports centre building on the right hand side of the beach).
It’s worth noting that the beach slopes down quite sharply where it meets the sea, so don’t let young children disappear straight in without an adult, or they may find themselves quickly out of their depth.
With a recently potty trained 3 year old, access to toilets was a concern for us. There are free public toilets (including a disabled block) roughly halfway along the sea front, which were acceptable. Several small bars and restaurants, located all along the front, also offer chance for a break from the sun (and trip to the loo, when needed!)
We visited an ice cream hut (Xiringuito Muriel – located just up from the toilets) several times. Try the indulgent local ice cream specialities and fresh fruit lollies – delicious!
It’s possible to hire sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach front for €8.00 each per day.
When you reach the beach, if you keep heading to the left, you’ll reach a rocky outcrop with a cobbled path. It passes through an ancient tunnel in the rock, before winding up the cliff toward Castell de Sant Joan – an 11th-century castle wall with a lookout tower at the top. We didn’t make it to the top (little legs were getting tired) and felt foolish for not taking the pram!
We quickly discovered that Fenals beach is best visited in the evenings. From around 8pm onwards, you’ll appreciate the cooler temperatures (although it was still 28 degrees by 9pm!) and laid back atmosphere.
Locals chatted while they ambled along, enjoyed family meals by candlelight on the beach, local sports clubs practised, scuba divers with torches explored the calm sea alongside night swimmers, and cosy bars – lit by fairy lights and candles – lured us in for an evening sangria. We loved it!
To reach Fenals beach, leave the hotel and turn left, then first right. Continue for 5-6 minutes down Avinguda America (the main road down past the main shops and restaurants mentioned previously), then follow the end of the road as it bears slightly to the left past the Rigat Park and Spa Hotel (a large orange building).
From there, just follow everyone else – they’re almost certainly heading to the beach!
Getting to Fenals Beach from Costa Encantada
Castell de Sant Joan
Nestled high on a cliff to the left of Fenals beach, the Castell de Sant Joan is like a time capsule from Lloret de Mar’s past. From our 5th floor apartment balcony at Costa Encantada, we could just make out the flag fluttering from the top of the tower.
Built way back in the 11th century, this castle had a pretty big job: protecting the coast from sea attackers. It faced its share of challenges over the years, including a pummelling from British cannon during the 1800s.
If you climb up the hill to the tower – the Tower of Tribute – you’re in for a treat. The view from up there is fantastic. You’ll be 60 meters up, looking out over the glittering Mediterranean coastline. And hey, even if history isn’t your thing, the view is more than enough reason to check out Castell de Sant Joan.
Access is possible along the beach front path, or, for a less challenging trek, use the roads and footpaths set back behind the hill, away from the beach (we’d suggest using Google Maps for directions, as directions would be too complicated to include here).
Be sure to check opening hours before setting off – these vary by season. Entry costs around €3.00 per adult.
Lloret de Mar – Main Town
Although the Costa Encantada Hotel is described as being in Lloret de Mar, it is actually around 1.5km away. The beach front at Lloret de Mar (Platja de Lloret de Mar) is walkable within about 20-25 minutes, but we found it a bit too far, thanks to tired little legs and the hot weather.
The beach is well regarded, but is actually quite similar to the much-nearer Fenals beach. If you’re looking for a busier shoreline, with more slides, watersports and tourists, head to Lloret. If you prefer a slightly quieter experience, stick to Fenals.
Away from the beach front, Lloret de Mar offers a busy nightlife scene, with a variety of bars, clubs and entertainment venues.
As well as several shopping districts, you’ll find restaurants a-plenty, with lots of paella, grilled seafood and lashings of sangria.
There’s plenty of history to immerse yourself in, including the exquisite Gothic and Baroque architecture of the Parish Church of Sant Roma. Castel d’en Platja, set above the cliffs, looks like it should be 1,000 years old, but was actually built in the 1930s – worth a visit, nonetheless.
If exploring nature is your thing, Montnegre I el Corredor Natural Park provides the opportunity to hike and bike along trails through the Mediterranean landscape.
The hotel reception team at Costa Encantada suggested a taxi to Lloret de Mar would be around €10, if needed.
Getting to Lloret de Mar from Costa Encantada
Tossa de Mar
Easily our most enjoyable trip away from the hotel was our boat trip around the bay to Tossa de Mar.
The hotel reception team suggested Tossa de Mar to be around a 40-minute taxi ride, costing around €30.
However, after speaking to another hotel guest, we realised we could jump on a taxi boat ferry which pulls right up the Fenals beach at several points throughout the day, with a stop of at several locations along the cost, including Tossa.
We booked tickets online for the 9.30am sailing the following day, with a return trip at 2.30pm. The return tickets for 5 totalled around €70, which, compared to the normal taxi price, seemed like a better experience.
After eating breakfast at the hotel, we walked down to Fenals beach and joined the queue of other passengers.
Boarding was simple – just a case of showing the emailed barcode and walking up the extended gang plank and onto the boat. There were plenty of seats both inside the boat and to the uncovered rear, as well as several toilets for passengers on the main deck.
The sights of the stunning cliffs and roof-top houses along the journey were fabulous, and we’d have probably enjoyed just the boat trip alone, even without the stop off at Tossa. Visit DofiJet Boats to book tickets online (save 5% by booking the day before departure) or buy directly from the small box office stand on Fenals beach.
Tossa de Mar itself is a beautiful Medieval walled town, with ancient turrets and fortifications which wind their way up the cliffs to the summit, where a 100-yer old lighthouse now stands.
The cobbled road up the hill is surprisingly steep, and we were pleased to find a land train which took us up to the top for about €17 in total (we opted to walk back down, rather than drive down).
The views from the top are simply stunning and definitely worth the trip.
At the foot of the hill, you’ll find winding cobbled streets with quaint shops, bars, hotels and restaurants. We ate lunch in the restaurant at the foot of the hill by the beach, which cost around €45.
A modern toilet block is located in the cliff wall at the foot of the hill on the beach – these were surprisingly well maintained.
Towards the end of our 4-hour scheduled trip (and while we waited for the ferry to appear on the beach), we decided to cool off with a dip in the sea, which was lovely and warm, calm and clear.
We both agreed that Tossa de Mar would be a fabulous place to visit for a few days without the children – we’d definitely go back!
Getting to the DofiJet ferry pick up point, Fenals Beach
Barcelona
There are several options for a day trip to Barcelona from Costa Encantada. Regular buses depart from the main bus station in Lloret de Mar, taking around one hour and costing approximately €7 per person.
Taxis are a more expensive but easier option (with a pick up from the hotel, rather than having to walk to the bus station) but as we are a family of 5, this would have been very expensive.
Someone suggested travelling by train was also possible, and our tour operator (Jet2) also ran more organised excursions (although this was more expensive than the local buses).
Catamaran Boat Trip
Jet2 offer a 4-hour catamaran boat trip, which we were very tempted by.
The trip we considered would have picked us up at the beach and toured the coastline, with drinks and lunch, followed by opportunities to anchor in a quiet bay for a swim in the sea.
We passed the catamaran on our taxi ferry to Tossa de Mar and it looked great.
Water World
This huge water park (local advertisements claimed it is the best water park in Spain) is only 1.5km from Costa Encantada – around a 20 minute walk, or 5 minute taxi ride.
We had fully intended on visiting during our stay, but the fact that our youngest wouldn’t have been able to go on many of the rides with the older two or in some of the areas of the park, put us off slightly.
The park is quite expensive (€37 for adults, €27 for children), and we’d read elsewhere that it’s worth paying for the two-day tickets, as there are so many areas to explore.
Jet2 also have the option to book Costa Encantada with 7-day Water World access, which might be worth checking out.
Ultimately, the very hot weather forecasts, plus the prospect of not being able to stay together, put us off visiting. Had our children been slightly older though, we’d have been there without question – it looks ace!
Click here to book Water World tickets online.
Getting to Water World from Costa Encantada
Summary: A Family-Friendly Getaway at Costa Encantada and Beyond
Embarking on a family holiday with young children can be a delightful opportunity to make lasting memories together, and Costa Encantada emerges as an ideal destination for such an adventure.
The hotel, located just outside Lloret de Mar, offers a variety of board options, from bed and breakfast to all-inclusive, allowing flexibility to suit different preferences. The buffet-style breakfast caters to diverse tastes, providing an energetic start to the day. The pool bar and snack bar offer convenient bites for a quick refuel between activities.
Dining Adventures: The hotel’s dining options encompass diverse palates, with a buffet-style dinner offering a range of dishes. However, families can also explore local eateries, including traditional Spanish spots like El Rancho and Can Quicu, which boast flavourful seafood, paella, and pizzas. For a taste of familiarity, Burger King is just next door.
Beach and Exploration: The nearby Fenals Beach proves perfect for family fun, with clear waters for bathing, water sports, and a laid back vibe at night. Don’t miss the enchanting boat trip to Tossa de Mar, a medieval town that offers historical intrigue alongside breathtaking views. For a splash of culture, a day trip to Barcelona unveils the city’s vibrant character.
Family Activities: Costa Encantada prioritizes family entertainment, with water slides and splash park, a Kids Mini Disco by the pool and nightly performances in the Entertainment Bar. The animation team organises engaging poolside activities, ensuring both children and adults are thoroughly entertained. The park, kids club and arcade game hall within the hotel keep the young ones engaged as well.
Final Thoughts: Families seeking a balanced blend of relaxation and adventure will find Costa Encantada an inviting haven. From its convenient, clean amenities and delectable dining to nearby beaches and captivating excursions, the hotel and its surroundings promise a memorable and enriching vacation for families with young children.
Our verdict: Ideal for families with young children. Relax within the well-run hotel, or venture out to soak up some local culture, delicious food, beautiful beaches and ancient history. We’re happy to recommend a stay at Aparthotel Costa Encantada.
Costa Encantada hotel address and contact details
Should you have any specific queries, we’d encourage you to contact the helpful hotel team. We emailed the Costa Encantada reception team during our stay and had a response within an hour.
Address: Aparthotel Costa Encantada, Camí de Santa Cristina de Les Alegries, s/n – 17310
Lloret de Mar GPS: 41.6969689, 2.830014
Telephone Number: (+34) 972 368 310
Email Address: costaencantada@marsolhotels.com
FAQs for Families Considering a Stay at Costa Encantada:
1. Is Costa Encantada suitable for families with young children?
- Yes, Costa Encantada offers various amenities and activities tailored for families, including a Kids Mini Disco, Children’s Park, and a poolside animation team.
2. What are the dining options like for picky eaters or dietary restrictions?
- The hotel’s buffet-style breakfast offers a wide range of options to cater to different tastes. There are local restaurants nearby with diverse menus, and Burger King is conveniently located for familiar fast food.
3. How close is the hotel to the beach, and is it child-friendly?
- The hotel is a short walk from the Fenals Beach, which has clear and warm waters perfect for swimming and water sports. The beachfront also features restaurants, bars, and public toilets.
4. What off-site activities are recommended for families?
- A boat trip to Tossa de Mar provides a great family outing with stunning views and a chance to explore a medieval town. For a blend of culture and excitement, a day trip to Barcelona offers numerous attractions.
5. Are there options for relaxation and entertainment within the hotel?
- Yes, the hotel offers facilities like an indoor pool, gym, and spa area. Evening entertainment includes performances at the Entertainment Bar and engaging poolside activities organized by the animation team.
6. How far is the hotel from Lloret de Mar’s main town, and what can families do there?
- The main town is approximately 1.5km away, offering shopping districts, restaurants, and historical sites like the Parish Church of Sant Roma. Buses and taxis provide convenient transportation options.
7. Are there activities suitable for different age groups of children?
- Yes, the hotel offers a range of activities for kids of various ages, from toddlers to older children. The Children’s Park, arcade game hall, and poolside games ensure entertainment for everyone.
8. What is the best time to visit the local beach, and what amenities are available?
- Fenals Beach is especially enjoyable in the evenings, with cooler temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, and there are also bars, restaurants, and toilets.
9. Can families dine outside the hotel?
- Absolutely, there are several nearby restaurants offering diverse cuisines, such as El Rancho for traditional Spanish fare and Can Quicu for a mix of local and English dishes.
10. Is the hotel convenient for families seeking an all-inclusive experience?
- Yes, the hotel offers various board options, including all-inclusive. However, families are encouraged to consider their preferences and needs, as other options like half board or bed and breakfast might be more suitable.
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