hi all,
have just returned from the above hotel and location and would just like to give an honest review of what it was like there, well salou is a very nice place indeed was my first time there went with my 10 year old son, my brother-in-law and his wife and 2 teenage boys of 15 and 17 years old.
we flew from cardiff were we had no problems at all, flights were only 1 hour 40/45 mins long which was really good i thought, landed at reus which is only a small airport but again no problems there what so ever, transferes to california palace was just a 20 mins coach ride from the airport so was real pleased with that to.
we arrived at our hotel were we had no problem at all with checking in was allowed our rooms straight away even though was told by rep at airport that check in time was 2pm we were there for 12pm and like i just said were given our rooms right away.
rooms were real nice clean and tidy with plenty of space and a nice balcony overlooking the streets below, you have a safe in room which cost 29 euros but 10 of that you got back at the end of your stay, there is a little fridge in the room but was locked and cost 2 euros a day which i thought was abit of a ripoff but with all of us there we just paided for the one fridge and found that the key unlocked the other to fridges in our other two rooms so was well chuffed at that.
have to say hotel is very nice indeed all tiles smart and very clean, cleaners do a brilliant job at keeping it all nice and tidy, we had no problems at all with cleaners were around every morning with fresh towels ect for our rooms.
maria the local kids rep was very nice and kept the youngsters entertained as much as poss and would just like to say was probably the nicest worker there, that takes me to the other staff at reception and bar staff well what can i say but what complete and utter ingronant horrible people there really are at this hotel, i,m not just saying that either as we stayed at this hotel last year when there was different staff and last year we were made to feel very welcome and they couldnt do enough for you honestly, but this year all new staff accept two in dinning hall and we just could not believe the difference in there attitudes, unless you were spanish or mexican they were just plain rude and very ingronant towards you, all they were after were tips and after the first day we thought no way are we going to be tipping you again so from then on they just did not care about you at all and just did not help you in any way what so ever as i said they were just so rude and had faces like smackedbumsunless you was foriegn were they then bent over backwards to do what they could to help you, i really mean this all have never seen anything like it and i go on holiday every year all the british people staying there said the same thing brilliant hotel and location but with that staff there right now will never go back to that hotel again, people were just shocked at how these so called staff were behaving, seen so many people aurguing with the staff there that it bacame abit of a nightly thing that in the end we just laughed at, we did not let it spoil our week and just got out of there as much as possible.
across the road we found some really good bars and entertainment was just a few mins walk away, these bars and clubs were selling beers and food at half the price of the hotel and were an absoulte god send i tell you, salou beach is amazing with bannana boats which we done 3 times jets ski,s and all the rest that you would exspect from a good holiday beach it just goes on for miles and miles same as all the little cafes shops stalls around salou plus your normal shops and suppermarkets, if you are in to bargains believe me there are loads to find at salou.
portaventure which is a theme has got to be the biggest and best theme park that i,ve ever been to it is truley amazing and huge the rides are massive and it took us nearly 3 days to get around it all and is worth every penny that we spent on the place, one word of advice buy your tickets in britian like we did as it is so much cheaper than buying them over there, i cant tell you how good this theme park is in words you,ll just have to believe me or go see for yourself, you,ll be amazed at what they have there and how big the place really is.
all in all salou is a great place and the sun we had was great it was never lower than 33 degres and 1 day was at 39 phew that was a hot one i can tell you.
yes i would go back to salou tomorrow but to the same hotel NEVER not unless they have changed all reception staff and bar and dinning hall staff then maybe just maybe i would try it again, on second thoughts there are so many other hotels that are there we would probably just try one of them now.
well all if you need to know anything else or i have missed anything out then just send me a message and i,ll be sure to get back to you with all the help that i can give you.
hope this helps you all
best wishes and happy holidays
sean

At 20. Me and my partner decided to take our first holiday abroad.
The hotel seemed lovely when we arrived. Lots of glass and nice and posh. Only to be let down day by day.
On arrival at 9.10 am we were told we couldnt check in until 12, which we expected. It was a little after 4 when we finnaly got the card for our room, absoloute joke, half our day wasted sitting in the bar with the barman unable to speak a word of English. The bar staff were so arrogant and unpolite its unbelievable. They cant speak English, dont attempt to speak English, and dont have a care in the world for the English. The drinks were so watered down and over charged i bought drinks from a shop acroos the street, which i then got a rather embarrassing telling off for beside the pool. When bringing a bottle of water in to use in my room i was told it was not allowed and to drink it before entering. The meals are based on the Spanish only. I ate pasta and chips my whole stay. The dining staff are rude and expect you to be sat down and eaten within 20 minutes. The cutlery and glasses were rotten. Filthy rotten. The maids are an absoloute joke, in one week they changed my base sheet once and threw everything else on the sofa. We had fresh towells twice, although i left them in the bath to indicate they had been used. They were left there. Our balcony was decorated in cigarette ends and ash from the balcony above, which the maid failed to clean up either.
Over all it was an absoloute joke. The reception staff were charging people what they liked, we paid 39 euros for our safe and 3 euros per day for the mini fridge, only to discover another couple paid 25 for the safe and 1 euro per day for their fridge.
I discovered their was a spa, jacuzzi and sauna which to my suprise we had to pay 6 euros per person per day to use, unless your German you get in free. And when we did we wish we hadnt, the water was so dirty and salty it made my partner ill. On trips out our rep informed us we could request a packed lunch as we would be missing breakfast, they denied it, only for us to watch everyone else from our hotel eat theirs on the way.
Everything about this hoel is a joke, its a shame really, its a beautiful place, our room was a lovely size, but the staff really let it down. Theres one girl there, shes in charge of all the childrens activities, shes an absoloute star. Id rate her 10/10.
Other than that, our holiday was ruined by the miserable arrogant staff at California Palace. Id rather go to Wales in a flood warning than visit there again. In my oppinion, it needs taking out of the brochure.

I would like to think my Husband and myself have been well travelled and come to expect at the very leased average service,hospitality and edable food.We did not recieve any of the above at the Four Star? Hotel Californa Palace. We could not wait to catch the plane home. You have been warned!!!! Forgot to include entertainment, there is none, but remember ear plugs for the one Spanish singer goes on till midnight,just about every night.

The hotel was very clean with towels changed every day and rooms cleaned daily but there were 3 adults in 1 room and although the room was large enough the 3rd person was on a sofa.

It was quiet around the pool when we were there so there were plenty of sunbeds the food was of a good standard with plenty of choice.

The location was in the quieter residential area but it was only a 10 min stroll to the promenade and another 20 Min's walk to the busier main area of Salou or a 5 min bus ride which was less than a pound but it was all on the flat so its a nice easy walk with plenty of shops etc on the way the hotel staff were not unhelpful but didn't go out of there way to be friendly either and most of them spoke little or no English.

There was entertainment most nights but wasn't worth staying in to watch so was very quiet in the bar on a night. But on the plus side it did close at 12pm so there were no problems with noise on a night.

There were very few English at this hotel mainly Belgium or french. This hotel advertises a indoor pool and gym but there is a charge of 5-7 euros per day and its the smallest pool I'v'e ever seen.

Got the deal with direct holidays, was a bargain, we were expecting a dump but we were all surprised. The hotel was gorgeous, really modern and clean. Were given pool facing rooms, the rooms were big, bathrooms were lovely and balconys were great.

Food was excellent. Cant fault it at all. From pizza, chicken nuggets, to traditional spanish meals and king prawns, octopus and smoked salmon.

Took around 5-10 minutes to get to the beach and shops, not 15-20 like some are saying. Beach was nice enough, lots of cheap and nice restaurants to eat at if the hotel food becomes repetitive. Found an amazing indian restaurant which did out of this world kebabs!

If you are thinking of going to port aventura theme park book BEFORE you go on the internet and get the tickets as they are so much cheaper. We paid

We enjoyed our stay at the California Palace hotel and found all the staff and food excellent, no complaints at all.

The hotel is situated in the residential part of Salou, with easy reach of the train station and Marina.

This is the quieter end and more Spanish feel to the area. The hotel is more suitable to couples.

We would come back again.

We found the hotel to be of excellent standards.

Food was very good with plenty of choice.

The walk down to the promenade takes about 15 mins and you have to cross the railway line. As the hotel is near to the railway it is handy if you wanted to go to Barcelona on the train.

As we went early May, we had two nights with entertainment but in high season there is something on every night.

We booked our flight with Ryanair from Liverpool and booked the hotel on Alpha room

Recentley built,not to high,not to many rooms,rooms good for two but no more than three.en suite good,air condition welcomed while we were there,we found food hot and ok , choice ok but by end of week repetative,on edge of town center,10 min walk to beach sraight down main rd,naff night entertainment(take a pack of cards lots did).veiw out back is of building sites but they are not intrusive and not to near to disturbe.staff plesant and help full when asked but not friendley,pool smallish for amount of residents especially at busy time of day 10-4,sun bed (no charge) shortage ,well not really as all pool side was filled but all had gone by 10 am,quing started at 8 oclock to be let out at 9!(and that was the brits!)strong forign contingent.not sufficent umbirellas for shade to beds.last but not least sauna and gym req additional payment not good in a 4 star in my opinion.p.s reps only acccept cash, credit card,not debits cards for trips.dout if family will read this but thanks for the tickets for universal saved us a fortune (so if you have spare days left pass them on).

We had a great last minute deal with Direct holidays.

We arrived at California Palace and were immediately impressed by the modern look of it. Very near to Reus airport and one of the first stops off the coach, (great if you have tired kids).

Upon entering main reception from the hot outdoors we felt the fab air conditioning. Approached the desk and the person on the desk was quite abrupt we thought, as my husband and I looked at one another thinking "Omg here we go", I must say the staff took a while to warm to us and they we not at all helpful at first. I felt quite angry with them on occasions, however, after a few days of accepting this is how they are, they started to warm to us and I must say by the end of the week wow they were the best lot I have ever encountered in a hotel they were great, thank you to them for a wonderful holiday.

The food was second to none, and as much as you wanted, a huge variety of options and a chef on hand to pretty much cook you what you liked, and happy to as well.

The location was not the best as the beach was quite a walk especially in the hot sun, though totally worth while as the beach is one of the best I have ever seen.

The active area's such as the popular bars for couples and youngsters was a good 20 to 30 minutes brisk walk, not a problem if you like walking but if you don

Hotel was lovely and clean, rooms big enough for 2 and at a push maybe 1 child. air conditioned. food was very good, buffet style but chef was there to cook while you wait at all sittings, eggs,bacon at breakfast, steak, pork or whatever was the main meat of the meal. the pool area and pool was spotless, although there was building work at the rear of hotel it didn't bother us at all. The staff were friendly and the guests were a good mixture of german, french, spanish and brits,everyone was great. The hotel was about 10 mins walk to the beach, and set amongst the residential area, which was nice and quiet, but had a few bars nearby. The entertainment was'nt up to much but then the football was on at the time we were there. I would deffinately stay here again, no complaints