Three-pearl Apartmentos Pineda Park is a solid option, especially for families, with a central location in the resort town of La Pineda. Bars, restaurants, and the beach are all within a five-minute walk, and there are several theme parks a short drive away. The hotel itself has plenty to do, which is not always the case with apartment hotels. There are outdoor pools, a playground, large game room, and well-received restaurant with evening entertainment. The 62 large apartments can cater for groups of up to seven. Bedrooms and kitchens can be compact, but families will appreciate the full kitchens, and all units are air-conditioned and have balconies. Travelers who don't need a kitchen might save a bit by opting for a suite at nearby Gran Hotel La Hacienda.
Three-pearl Apartmentos Pineda Park is a solid option, especially for families, with a central location in the resort town of La Pineda. Bars, restaurants, and the beach are all within a five-minute walk, and there are several theme parks a short drive away. The hotel itself has plenty to do, which is not always the case with apartment hotels. There are outdoor pools, a playground, large game room, and well-received restaurant with evening entertainment. The 62 large apartments can cater for groups of up to seven. Bedrooms and kitchens can be compact, but families will appreciate the full kitchens, and all units are air-conditioned and have balconies. Travelers who don't need a kitchen might save a bit by opting for a suite at nearby Gran Hotel La Hacienda.
The Estival Park Salou is a 1,118-room, three-pearl resort that's situated across the street from the beach and a short drive PortAventura theme park. Rooms are generally spacious, but simple and dated, with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, plus some have balconies with sea views. Self-catering apartments are also available for larger groups and there are all-inclusive options. The resort has multiple restaurants as well as a piano bar, nightclub, and wine cellar, plus indoor and outdoor pools, a sports center with tennis and squash courts, and a spa. Guests looking to be closer to PortAventura theme park might also want to consider the PortAventura Hotel Caribe, which has more modern rooms.
The Estival Park Salou is a 1,118-room, three-pearl resort that's situated across the street from the beach and a short drive PortAventura theme park. Rooms are generally spacious, but simple and dated, with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, plus some have balconies with sea views. Self-catering apartments are also available for larger groups and there are all-inclusive options. The resort has multiple restaurants as well as a piano bar, nightclub, and wine cellar, plus indoor and outdoor pools, a sports center with tennis and squash courts, and a spa. Guests looking to be closer to PortAventura theme park might also want to consider the PortAventura Hotel Caribe, which has more modern rooms.
Gran Hotel La Hacienda is a mid-range all-inclusive property in the coastal town of La Pineda, less than 10 minutes' walk from the beach. Conveniently located for tourists, the hotel is a short drive from the center of Salou and PortAventura theme park. The 260 rooms are simple and clean, with balconies and flat-screen TVs, and some were updated in 2015 with more modern decor. An outdoor pool has a hot tub and separate wading pool, plus plenty of sunbeds and an adjacent bar/cafe. Inside, there's another pool along with several water-therapy treatments and a spa. A kids' club and sandy playground, plus activities such as children's cooking classes, make this a great choice for families. However, the Mediterranean buffet restaurant receives mixed reviews. Couples may prefer the adult-only H10 Delfin, which has a modern, stylish design throughout.
Gran Hotel La Hacienda is a mid-range all-inclusive property in the coastal town of La Pineda, less than 10 minutes' walk from the beach. Conveniently located for tourists, the hotel is a short drive from the center of Salou and PortAventura theme park. The 260 rooms are simple and clean, with balconies and flat-screen TVs, and some were updated in 2015 with more modern decor. An outdoor pool has a hot tub and separate wading pool, plus plenty of sunbeds and an adjacent bar/cafe. Inside, there's another pool along with several water-therapy treatments and a spa. A kids' club and sandy playground, plus activities such as children's cooking classes, make this a great choice for families. However, the Mediterranean buffet restaurant receives mixed reviews. Couples may prefer the adult-only H10 Delfin, which has a modern, stylish design throughout.
The Blue Sea Costa Verde is a 124-room, two-and-a-half pearl property that, due to dated and dowdy interiors throughout, feels ripe for a total refurbishment. The El Arenal resort center is a bit far away, but a sandy beach can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot. Guest rooms are old-fashioned and minimally furnished, though generally clean and most have balconies. A large swimming pool tops the short list of facilities, though it can get busy and many loungers need replacing. Ultimately you get what you pay for and rates are low, though for a bargain all-inclusive with much more to do (and some sea views) check out Sun Club Eldorado, albeit it's even farther away from town.
The Blue Sea Costa Verde is a 124-room, two-and-a-half pearl property that, due to dated and dowdy interiors throughout, feels ripe for a total refurbishment. The El Arenal resort center is a bit far away, but a sandy beach can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot. Guest rooms are old-fashioned and minimally furnished, though generally clean and most have balconies. A large swimming pool tops the short list of facilities, though it can get busy and many loungers need replacing. Ultimately you get what you pay for and rates are low, though for a bargain all-inclusive with much more to do (and some sea views) check out Sun Club Eldorado, albeit it's even farther away from town.
Hotel Don Pepe is a comfortable, three-pearl property with a convenient location, but few facilities -- such as no swimming pool -- may be a deal-breaker for some. Interiors are contemporary throughout with the more sophisticated, grown-up feel common to an adults-only hotel. El Arenal's pleasant beach and lively nightlife are within easy walking distance, though not so close to be noisy. The 154 guest rooms can vary hugely from spacious suites with grand terraces to pokey units with single windows. All have AC, flat-screen TVs, modern bathrooms with shower/tub combos, and free (but spotty) Wi-Fi, but fees are attached to mini-fridges and safes. Rates are generally good value for the quality of the accommodation, however. Travelers looking for a budget-friendly option with a pool and balconies as standard can consider Hotel Mix Alea, though it's a bit farther from the action.
Hotel Don Pepe is a comfortable, three-pearl property with a convenient location, but few facilities -- such as no swimming pool -- may be a deal-breaker for some. Interiors are contemporary throughout with the more sophisticated, grown-up feel common to an adults-only hotel. El Arenal's pleasant beach and lively nightlife are within easy walking distance, though not so close to be noisy. The 154 guest rooms can vary hugely from spacious suites with grand terraces to pokey units with single windows. All have AC, flat-screen TVs, modern bathrooms with shower/tub combos, and free (but spotty) Wi-Fi, but fees are attached to mini-fridges and safes. Rates are generally good value for the quality of the accommodation, however. Travelers looking for a budget-friendly option with a pool and balconies as standard can consider Hotel Mix Alea, though it's a bit farther from the action.
The Hotel Pinero Tal is a two-and-a-half-pearl high-rise property set in the largely German resort of El Arenal. The immediate area is built-up and certainly lacking in charm, though the long, sandy beach -- and restaurant-lined promenade -- is just five minutes away on foot. Its 198 guest rooms are basic but clean, with simple amenities and an extra charge for Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and safes; higher-floor units have the bonus of sea-view balconies. Leisure and dining features are limited, and the pool is prone to afternoon shade, all adding up to a less-than-impressive package. Half-board plans are standard and optional all-inclusive packages are available. Cheap rates can make it relatively good value, though prices at adults-only Torre Azul are similar, with the bonus of spa facilities.
The Hotel Pinero Tal is a two-and-a-half-pearl high-rise property set in the largely German resort of El Arenal. The immediate area is built-up and certainly lacking in charm, though the long, sandy beach -- and restaurant-lined promenade -- is just five minutes away on foot. Its 198 guest rooms are basic but clean, with simple amenities and an extra charge for Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and safes; higher-floor units have the bonus of sea-view balconies. Leisure and dining features are limited, and the pool is prone to afternoon shade, all adding up to a less-than-impressive package. Half-board plans are standard and optional all-inclusive packages are available. Cheap rates can make it relatively good value, though prices at adults-only Torre Azul are similar, with the bonus of spa facilities.
There's not a great deal to the lower-middle-range Ipanema Park, though what it does have is more than decent. The 280 balconied guest rooms are modern and clean, albeit with minimal amenities and some bathrooms are in need of a refresh. The pool terrace is mostly sunny with plentiful loungers and a kids' section, though there are no other child-friendly or fitness facilities. Most report the buffet dining is a highlight and an optional all-inclusive plan covers more drinks than usual. As the hotel is set at the scruffier south end of El Arenal, a 10-minute walk from the beach, the location isn't ideal; a similarly priced option closer to the sea is the Caribbean Bay, which is all-inclusive as standard.
There's not a great deal to the lower-middle-range Ipanema Park, though what it does have is more than decent. The 280 balconied guest rooms are modern and clean, albeit with minimal amenities and some bathrooms are in need of a refresh. The pool terrace is mostly sunny with plentiful loungers and a kids' section, though there are no other child-friendly or fitness facilities. Most report the buffet dining is a highlight and an optional all-inclusive plan covers more drinks than usual. As the hotel is set at the scruffier south end of El Arenal, a 10-minute walk from the beach, the location isn't ideal; a similarly priced option closer to the sea is the Caribbean Bay, which is all-inclusive as standard.
The azuLine Hotel Bahamas is a three-pearl, resort-style property located on the quieter outskirts of the popular -- though slightly scruffy -- resort of El Arenal. It ticks most of the boxes as far as features, with a good-size outdoor pool, spa facilities, and daily animation, though dining is limited to a distinctly average buffet restaurant. Updated in 2015, its 239 guest rooms are bright and clean with basic amenities and balconies, most overlooking the neighboring pine forest. The beach is a 10-minute walk away, and families with kids are given discounts for the nearby waterpark. An optional all-inclusive plan can make it particularly good value for families on a budget, though groups looking for a more boisterous vibe will likely favor the nearby Hotel Luna-Luna Park (which is also closer to the beach and resort center).
The azuLine Hotel Bahamas is a three-pearl, resort-style property located on the quieter outskirts of the popular -- though slightly scruffy -- resort of El Arenal. It ticks most of the boxes as far as features, with a good-size outdoor pool, spa facilities, and daily animation, though dining is limited to a distinctly average buffet restaurant. Updated in 2015, its 239 guest rooms are bright and clean with basic amenities and balconies, most overlooking the neighboring pine forest. The beach is a 10-minute walk away, and families with kids are given discounts for the nearby waterpark. An optional all-inclusive plan can make it particularly good value for families on a budget, though groups looking for a more boisterous vibe will likely favor the nearby Hotel Luna-Luna Park (which is also closer to the beach and resort center).
The Hotel Mix Alea is a relatively small budget-level property set in a quiet location on the outskirts of El Arenal. Backing on to the Son Verí forest, it provides pleasant views from some rooms, and is also close to nightlife and 10 minutes from the resort's long sandy beach. The 110 guest rooms are functional with limited amenities, though some offer impressive rooftop terraces and bay-view panoramas. The restaurant's buffet dining is adequate and guests can purchase a variety of meal plans, but not a la carte options. The pool area is prone to shade and there's nothing else in the way of leisure or health facilities, making this one of the resort's more basic hotels. Travelers looking for a value stay should also consider the Ipanema Park for a sunnier pool and updated rooms.
The Hotel Mix Alea is a relatively small budget-level property set in a quiet location on the outskirts of El Arenal. Backing on to the Son Verí forest, it provides pleasant views from some rooms, and is also close to nightlife and 10 minutes from the resort's long sandy beach. The 110 guest rooms are functional with limited amenities, though some offer impressive rooftop terraces and bay-view panoramas. The restaurant's buffet dining is adequate and guests can purchase a variety of meal plans, but not a la carte options. The pool area is prone to shade and there's nothing else in the way of leisure or health facilities, making this one of the resort's more basic hotels. Travelers looking for a value stay should also consider the Ipanema Park for a sunnier pool and updated rooms.