Just returned from a two week holiday in salou, stayed at the golden port which was a fantastic hotel which was just as well as the streets of Salou are filthy smelly every 10 yards you either get a flyer waved in your face or sunglasses and perfume!
And the smell of the drains, well it made you feel sick! You cant walk around a shop without being harassed and followed every where all in all not a good experience at all!!

I don't want people to be put off totally by my post,I just didn't find it comfortable being around these peddlers of junk/drugs I actually feel for the genuine traders and locals that must also get frustrated by these people. I will return to Salou but out of personal choice will not venture to far from the Golden port, Jimmy's bar is one place as it's great example of a good bar off the main drag that is far enough away from these undesirables but still manages to maintain an atmosphere and is only a 2 minute walk from the hotel.
I found it was a good base for trips to Barcelona as well and the local bus company does cheapish day trips.
All in all with day trips, Portaventura and the water park in La Pineda I did have a good holiday my only wish is that that the same authorities that want the tourists to boost there economy would get to grips with the problem areas.
Dave.