Salou 'central' was busy. The Beach club was fantastic, with awesome waves on one of our visits. Life jackets for children, really do help adults realx around the pool and are encouraged even when children can swim.(no deposit, just room key and number given in) The same with towels.


The Jeep Safari was awesome. The mountains we travelled round and the canyons we viewed were - well they just made me love the Costa Dorada. The jeep guides were extrememly, extrovert and made efforts for get everyone involved. Actually, they were fun of fun, ful of cheek and are the personality of the whole excursion. My son was enamoured with the whole experience and it was the only experience that made him want to go to bed at a reasonable time, so full were his senses by the end of the day. Two jaunts off road, which raised excitement, as did the water shoot-outs as the 'film crew' over took the main convoy. It was thoroughly worth the money and was a full day, that wound down with a dip in the lake by the Dam in the Siruana region. So welcome. Take swim wear, a bandana - for the dust, a hat, a water pistol and put factor 50 on before you leave the hotel.

The catamaran half day sail and snorkel was good,as was the fountains trip to Barcelona.

The reps organised (as they do in August bank holiday week, every year) a trip to a Barcelona football match. We saw Barcelona versus Inter Milan (5 - 0), the Nou Camp was at capacity. Wow, how often do you get to be one in 120,000 people in such a small space and still enjoy yourself? Absolutely worth doing for the very experience, even if footbal isn't your thing.

The people at Buddy's bar and restuarant were lovely the first day as we orientated ourselves to Salou. People complain about it being too British, but I have to say, it was nice to have a secure starting point from which to fling myself into the more Spanish aspects of the area - which, actually, predominate!

Things we shall do next year, that we did not do this year are the Salou light show, Aqucropolis water park and Monserrat.

I spent harldy any money excepting the excursions, because everything we needed to have a smashing holiday was in the price.

P.S. Thomas Cook have notified me that there will not be characters at breakfast anymore and the indoor section of the Caribbe water park (the whole park, failed to impress me - but don't forget to use the fast pass on the back of the water park ticket, if you go into the theme park afterwards - it will save your hotel express pass) will be closed next year.

We didn't visit any of the other hotels in Portaventura (El Paso or Caribe) but did walk frequently to Salou. This was only about a 20 minute walk and you could stagger it by going
into the Titanic bar for a drink. One thing I would say is that after going to Salou beach one day I would never go back. It is far too overcrowded. You are basically sitting right next to other people. Even if there is a wee area where your kids are digging the Spanish will come up and stick a parasol in the sand and sit down. My parents were staying in Salou at the time we were there and we met up with them frequently but they even said they would not go back to Salou. It is far too busy and at night it is very difficult to walk about the shops especially with a buggy. I would stay at one of the Portaventura hotels next time. Maybe the Caribe because they get access to the beach club also. For some reason the El Paso doesn't.

there are lots of cleaners in both parks,we never saw any rubbish on floor.we got pushed around quite a bit by spanish teenagers,hey dont like to queue.we cant fault the parks at all.salou itself is nice,it has a lovely promenade and lots of souvenir shops.the shop owners can be very pushy trying to get you to buy stuff,dont be afraid to say no.we only arrived home this morning and already thinking of going back.our kids are 11 and 8 and it was their first time abroad,im glad we chose port aventura

Port Aventura theme park is great. Lots of white knuckle rides but also lots of little rides and shows to amuse everyone. We have been to Florida and this is easily comparable to the Universal parks there and in our opinion knocks spots off Disneyland Paris.
We visited during May half term week and the park was nice and quiet on the week days with very little queues but far busier on Saturday and Sunday. We were greatful for the Fast passes you get when staying in a resort hotel.
Salou centre is walking distance fron the hotel which was nice for an evening walk along the sea front. Very busy and we felt quite intimidated at times by people trying to get you to get your hair braided or go to a restaurant or bar.

typical overcommercialised spanish resort - you get what you pay for!

Porta Aventura resort was very good, lots to do, the kids loved it. Only went to Salou once, seemed OK but a little like Blackpool, would not like to be there in high season. We hired a car and went touring.

Only went into town a few times.

Went alone and felt safe. It was clean, resort entertainment cannot comment as I stayed in the hotel,but lots of bars,discos,karaokes.

The beach was great, quite a big beach, lots of sunbeds, they do charge for these. Lots of shops, can be a bit repetitive selling same old stuff. If you want ciggies the only place is on the strip just before Macdonalds,kids loved maccies.

Would go again.

Salou itself is a bit like Blackpool but staying in the El Paso on the doorstep of the theme park we venutred in to Salou once. There's too much to do at the park and hotel.

Being a resident of the hotel gives you Express tickets to the most popular rides at the theme park. Its great walking stright to the front of the queues!!! go in via the exits (took us a couple of days to work it out).

We met a family who had been to Florida the year before and they said the Port Adventura (Universal Studios) knocked spots off florida

Salou is a very busy resort there are plenty of shops and bars etc. The beaches are lovely and clean with a lovely promenade to walk along with fountains and childrens play areas etc. Salou is quite an expensive resort to stay in though and I would recommend staying half board as eating and drinking out is more expensive than the UK.

Without the theme park salou is not a place we would go on holiday, but the park alone is well worth the visit (this is our third time). If you are looking for something a bit different visit the park at this time of year for their Halloween celebrations. The park is all done up in a spooky theme with lost of ghosts and ghouls roaming the park and a few extra scary attractions.