I have to agree with the majority of reviewers for this hotel. It is definately not a 4 star hotel. The reception is impressive, with marble floors and grand statues, but the rest of it is more of a 3 star.

Hotel was generally clean, but the cleaning standard of the rooms was not satisfactory. Infact the only thing we could see that the cleaners had done was make the beds. We did a little test for the cleaners and left a dirty ashtray on the balcony and an empty cup on the table. The ashtray was never emptied and the cup remained there for the whole holiday. The bedsheets were never changed, and the floors were not swept. It was not cleaned properly and makes you wonder why it took them so long.

We didn't actually find the food bad. There was lots of choice, with lots of fresh salads and fish. Plenty of english were eating chips and burgers and quite frankly if you're going to a fantastic country such as Spain, you should embrace their food - it's fantastic. We found the food to be always fresh and lots of it. However, "all inclusive" is not what it is. You basically eat at the times set by the hotel, and if you're hungry in between, or you miss one of their regimental times for meals, you were given the choice of a packet of crisps or an ice cream. We had to wear these ridiculous paper bands for the time we were there, which were to prove that you were on an all-inclusive basis. However, if you didn't have this stupid paper card showing your room number on it, then they wouldn't serve you. So what's the point of the band then?? The staff were SO slow at meal times, and you normally got your drink after you'd eaten your food. They ignored you when you asked for something, and then slowly re-made a table instead. They quite frankly had no clue what was going on, were vastly under staffed, and made you feel awkard to ask for anything. One positive I can say is that if you were going out for the day and not spending it in the hotel, then they would make you a picnic if you ordered before 10pm the previous night.

Hotel location was fine, and the beach was a five minute walk. Salou town centre was not really walking distance, but still only a 10 minute bus ride. A nice quiet location, and was a relief to know that there wasn't loads of loud music pumping until 5am. Beach was very sweet, although the prices for the sunbeds seemed to change daily.

Hotel Staff - very mixed reports. If you basically made an effort and attempted to speak to them in spanish (even if it was broken) they were very warm towards you. However we noticed many an englishman trying to order drinks, and the some of the staff (not all) were rude. They'd laugh with each other, often talking in Spanish and was obvious they were talking about the guests. They only opened up ONE bar in the evening for the all-inclusive which is ridiculous considering the size of the hotel. You often had to que for at least 15/20 mins, and even then you couldn't order more than 2 drinks. The reception staff could not really speak or understand english, which ok you're in spain so make an effort to speak their language, but for something as vital as a hotel reception, what use is it if the receptionist can literally only speak spanish and the guests are predominantly non spanish? The reception staff tried their best but it's very difficult when you can't understand each other. The waiting staff were very just too slow and in general none of the staff seemed to want to be there. I think perhaps the staff forgot that not only had we paid to go there, but if it wasn't for the guest, there would be no hotel. However irritating they find the english and guests in general, I would suggest a job change if they feel this way.

Entertainment was mainly for kids, and they seemed to love it. Lots of birdie song, the hokey cokey and superman, but who cares - the kids thought it was great and at least it gave the parents time to have have a bit of piece. The adults evening entertainment was ok, but only on for an hour, except for "live music" which seemed to go on forever. If you're there for 2 weeks, you'd see it twice, and I can imagine it being a bit boring. Not being a normal fan, the Kareoke was hilarious and lots of fun, and was probably one of the best nights there. Everyone seemed to get into the spirit and joined in.

Sunbed situation around the pool was like nothing I've ever known before. Many hotels have a "no reserve" policy on sunbeds, and they remove any towels which appear to reserve beds. Not the Palas Pineda. If you weren't up before 8am, you could forget it, and even then you got the dodgy bed in the worst location.

I can honestly say that I wouldn't go back to this hotel. It wasn't all bad, but I've been to better for less money.

We arrived home yesterday 2nd July. I hadn't read the reviews before the holiday as I like to judge for myself.
I always find it amazing that people expect everyone to speak English! Surely that is one of the reasons for going abroad. The reception staff all spoke English and were very helpful indeed.Other than that an "Ola" and a smile went a long way with all of the staff. 80% of the guests were Spanish anyway. Great!
The hotel was spotless, especially our room. Ashtray emptied daily and clean towels each day (albeit rather rough).
We had no problems with the all inclusive bar (once we'd found it). People were ordering "pints of wine" and several drinks each before the 11pm close with no difficulty. Drinks can be taken anywhere in the hotel from that bar which was the most central bar anyway.
We also found no trouble getting loungers at 10am around the pool - apart from Sunday when there were weddings booked.
The food was impressive at the beginning but got a little "samey" as the week progressed. But I always find buffet meals are like that. Plenty of choices.
We normally avoid hotel entertainment like the plague but we happened to be in on several nights and it was some of the best we've seen. Particularly the "spectacular" and the kareoke (which I normally hate).
The location is excellent. very handy for the beach and the local "plana" buses are frequent, cheap and air-conditioned.
My only problem is with ryanair and our missing case (still) which we had to pay 72 euros excess on. Warning, they are very strict at Reus airport, even if you are only 1kg overweight! Take as much as hand-luggage as you can.
This is not the fault of the hotel. We did not realise we were travelling with a low cost airline when we booked the holiday.

The hotel was very clean and appeared very grand on entrance.

The rooms were very clean and were kept that way throughout our stay (in fact this is the only Spanish hotel were I haven

The hotel is 4 star, and deservedly so. It is very impressive insie and out, and it is tastefully decorated. All areas of the hotel were kept very clean.

The food was varied, and very tasty. Lots of salad, and plenty of variety with the meat and fish dishes. The breakfast food was very nice, you could have cereals, rolls, croissants, fruit, or a full cooked breakfast. Although there were no specific children's meals, there was plain pasta most days, and chips etc to choose from.

Unfortunately, the staff let this hotel down. The service was slow, and certain staff members were very rude and curt. This is the first year Pals Pineda has been All Inclusive, and apparantly the staff are not happy about it, and are taking it out on the customers! The wristband system for All Inclusive guests weas farcical. Even on production of a wrist band, I was only allowed 2 drinks at a time, meaning I had to take my whole family up to the bar to get a drink!

Entertainment was a bit 'samey' but the kids loved it. There was a kiddies disco most nights, and during the day, there were various activities. There is a small playground for the children, and tennis courts as well. There is also a children's play room, which is supervised but it is really only suitable for the under 5's. The 4 outdoor pools and one heated indoor pool, are fantastic. Very clean, and one has a slide, one has a jacuzzi, and another has a waterfall.

Obviously, come the height of the season, getting a sunbed will be somewhat of an issue. Our German friends were up with the sparrows to reserve their beds!

All in all, a smashing holiday. Sense of humour a must for the bar staff from hell, but if you put that aside, it was great!

The palas pineda is not a four star and has made me very wary of booking another international hotel. The hotel itself is very impressive the rooms were ok. We consisted of two families with children who were 15yrs, 8yrs and a 5yr old.

The service at the hotel was horrendous. We arrived at 12 midday and had to wait until nearly 2pm before we could have our room. When we arrived at our room the first thing i had to do was go to reception and ask for towels as one of our rooms had none, this happened another 3 times during the week to the same room, our beds were not changed all week and sometimes it was nearly tea time before they were cleaned.

The food i thought was quite good with plenty of choice. The pool area was nice but we found it difficult to get beds after 9am and if you did there wasn't anywhere to put them. The staff (bar) were a joke, the pool bar didn't open till 1pm every day so you had to walk upstairs to get a drink, and because we were all inclusive we were made to feel like second class citizens by most off the bar staff. The hole idea of having a all inclusive band was that of been able to go to the bar and get drinks without no questioning but this did not happen. When you got your drink they then aske you for a room number. Sometimes when you asked for more than 2 or 3 drinks they then said you could not have that many so you would have to go and get the rest off your family to come up stairs to the bar.

The hotel was very clean and it was much like a palas when you were in the hotel it was very refreshing and cool because it was in hot weather.

There was a kids club for children. On some nights there was a fancy drees it was super . The food was fine it was nice and there was always something to eat.

The location was brilliant you could just about see the sea the staff never wanted to serve you they only wanted to serve the people who payed because they got tips.

I am sorry to say that all the negetive points about this Hotel are TRUE.
Having stayed at the Hotel Estival the previous year, this Hotel is utter rubbish.
The Food is apalling.
The gym is broken and the air conditioning does not work.
The All Inclusive service is totally segregated from the rest of the hotel and you feel totally ostracised.
The pool surround gives way under the weight of a person.
The number of sunbeds is insufficent.
Having requested to be moved, Fleetway totally failed and the situation is now in the hands of my solicitor.
DONT GO TO THIS HOTEL - BUT SPAIN IS WONDERFUL.