Salou is a popular family resort on the Costa Dorada, or 'Golden Coast', of Catalonia in northeast Spain. It's about 10 km from the historical town of Tarragona and 112 kms down the coast from Barcelona.
Tourists are attracted by its numerous coves and beaches and its Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Aside from the excellent scenery and sunny weather, Salou is also home to the famous PortAventura theme park.
Salou offers a range of accommodation options whether you want a simple apartment, a room overlooking the sea or a luxury hotel complex with a plenty of facilities. Wherever you stay, you won't be far from the theme park, the beach or the shops, restaurants and bars.
Budget
There is a range of cheaper accommodation in Salou and most cater well for families.
If you want somewhere with good entertainment, head to the three star Hotel Belvedere just 300 meters from the beach. They offer an entertainment program for both adults and children, two pools, and while the kids hit the mini club you can relax in the Jacuzzi, sauna or Turkish bath.
Also good for entertainment is Hotel Best San Diego, just around the corner from the main strip which leads to the beach. Their extensive evening entertainment includes flamenco dancing, a Beegees tribute act, a circus act and a snake show.
If you want to be right on the beach, choose Hotel Best Cap Salou. Your practical room has a furnished balcony with fantastic sea views. There's a pool for adults and one for children, as well as a gym and spa area with sauna Jacuzzi, steam room and Scottish shower.
Or there's Hotel Jaime I just a 5 minutes' walk from Levante beach. It boasts two outdoor pools, a squash court, fitness centre, sauna, mini golf course and a varied entertainment programme for adults and children.
For those heading to PortAventura there's Aparthotel CYE Holiday Centre in the heart of Salou, only 250 meters the beach and a few minutes from the theme park. Relax in a hammock or sunbathe by the pool while the kids enjoy the play area and kids' club. Tuck into dinner at the buffet or a la carte restaurant and enjoy weekly themed dinners such as Mexican, Italian and Oriental.
Self-catering
If you want to save some money and not be confined by set dining times, there are plenty of self-catering apartments.
At the cheaper end there's Internacional II Apartments ideally located in a quiet street 500m from the beach. The studios have a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchenette with two stoves, fridge and microwave. Spend the day lounging by the pool, and after dinner there's a bar open until midnight.
For somewhere with easy access to the beach, try out Zahara Apartments in central Salou. They offer a freshwater swimming pool and spacious apartments specially designed for families.
Getting slightly more expensive there's Murillo Apartments, close to the beach and Port Aventura. The apartments are simple yet practical with a modern kitchen, and you'll have use of a swimming pool with sun loungers and a terrace.
If you're looking for a lively holiday with friends there's Almonsa Playa Apartments a three-star accommodation in an idyllic setting with great views of the area and easy access to the sandy beach. Shops, bars and restaurants all on your doorstep, as are several popular nightclubs.
For those heading to PortAventura, go with Les Dalies Apartamentos near the Plaza Europa, only a 5 minute walk from the beaches and not far from PortAventura theme park. It boasts 75 fully equipped apartments with balconies and kitchenettes, as well as an outdoor pool.
All inclusive
There are a few all inclusive options if you'd rather everything was paid for.
For a relaxing family holiday, choose the three-star HTOP Molinos Park Hotel located in a quieter area of Salou. In an elevated position, surrounded by pine trees, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean whilst soaking in the rooftop Jacuzzi. Kid's will enjoy the mini club, entertainment, and it's not far to PortAvetura.
Also in lush surroundings is Aparthotel Four Elements Suites, a four-star modern hotel with easy access to beaches, PortAventura and a selection of golf courses. Your stylish apartment has an open plan kitchen, flat screen TV and either a garden or terrace. Why not hit the bar which includes an impressive chill out terrace with exquisite views over the sea?
Or if you'd like somewhere livelier there's Hotel Villa Dorada with the beach, shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife all within easy reach. Your room is well equipped with en-suite facilities and a balcony or terrace. There's a pool, squash court, Jacuzzi and sauna, as well as a buffet restaurant with themed dinner nights.
Great entertainment can be found at the four-star MedPlaya Hotel Piramide Salou. Enjoy a cocktail on the terrace, tuck into dinner at the buffet restaurant with themed nights and show cooking, and enjoy daily evening entertainment. There are also two pools including one for kids, and a play area.
If you want the freedom of apartment style accommodation with the facilities and services of a quality hotel, head to Festival Village in Cap Salou. The spacious apartments include living room and kitchenette as well as a spacious balcony or terrace. There's also a swimming pool with a children's section, a kids club, a play area and a games room.
Family friendly
Most hotels in Salou are family friendly, but these offer the best facilities.
Golden Avenida Suites is a three-star complex offering spacious accommodation. It boasts three swimming pools, a children's swimming area, pool bar, mini golf and a varied entertainment programme.
For a family-friendly all inclusive option, go with Villamarina Club located away from the hustle and bustle. Kids will love playing in the pool and children's area. The hotel-run kids club operates between 11am and 2pm daily, while ice cream is available throughout the day.
If you'd rather stay at the famous PortAventura theme park, there are four hotels to choose from, all offering free entry to the park and 30% off tickets to Costa Caribe Aquatic Park.
Hotel PortAventura recreates a Mediterranean fishing village and has direct access to the Mediterranean-themed area of PortAventura. Take a dip in the two huge pools wrapped in lush, green gardens, and choose from five restaurants. The animation team will keep the kids entertained while you hit the gym, sauna, Jacuzzi or steam bath.
Or at Hotel El Paso PortAventura you can experience a real hacienda from colonial Mexico, and have access to the Mexico-themed area of PortAventura. Marvel at the beautiful decor and sample authentic Mexican cuisine at three different restaurants. If you stay at Gold River PortAventura you'll be transported to the hospitable town of Sullivan, the most flourishing city of the golden age in the Far West, as well as have direct access to the Western-themed area of PortAventura. This majestic hotel has four swimming pools, three themed restaurants and a games room.
The Caribbean-themed Hotel Caribe PortAventura will make you feel like you're in a tropical oasis as you gaze out at white sandy pools, surrounded by palm trees and gardens. After a long day at PortAventura or Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, head to the wellness centre and spa including a heated pool, massage room, Jacuzzi and sauna.
On the beach
If you want to feel the sand between your toes in an instant, these beach hotels should do the trick.
The three-star 4R Playa Park Hotel sits on the seafront near Capellans beach. After a long day at the beach, grab a drink, cocktail or ice cream in the cafe bar, play some billiards or watch TV in the lounge. There's also a pools for adults and one for children, a playground, mini club, ping pong and mini golf.
Or there's Casablanca Playa on the seafront promenade in central Salou, just a 10 minute stroll from Platja de Ponent, well-known for being one of the quietest beaches. Head to the Casablanca Terrace for great sea views and enjoy the chef's famous tapas and Caribbean cocktails. Santa Monica Playa is just 250m form the beach and offers an outdoor pool, rooms with a balcony and a buffet restaurant with food for children. Its evening entertainment includes flamenco dancing, live music and a disco.
More expensive is the four-star California Palace in a relaxed area of Salou, a short walk to Llevant and Ponent beaches. It offers pools for adults and children, a buffet restaurant, bar and fitness centre. If you make a reservation in their website you'll get a free bottle of extra virgin olive oil.
Why not try Sol Costa Daurada which has access to some of the finest beaches in the Med? It has two stunning outdoor swimming pools plus an indoor heated pool. The gym, sauna and jacuzzi are all free to use for the hotel guests. As well as a buffet restaurant with a special cooking show there's an English Pub and a snack bar. In the evening you'll be treated to cabarets, music and theatre shows.
Romantic retreats
If you want to get away with your other half, there are a couple of romantic places to stay, at a price.
To escape the noisy children, try Magnolia Hotel, an adults-only hotel just 50 meters from the beach. Your spacious room has stylish décor, air conditioning, satellite TV and a large bathroom with hydro massage shower. If you can tear yourself away there's a swimming pool with terrace, a fitness centre and a spa offering treatments such as wine and chocolate therapies, facials and massages.
Or there's the four-star Regente Aragon, a design hotel 100m away from the beach and sailing club. Chill in the heated rooftop pool with wonderful views of the port or simply unwind in the spa.
Top end
If you want to splash out a bit more, there are a few luxury hotels around the resort.
In the H10 hotel chain there's H10 Mediterranean Village a 4-star hotel close to the beach. It boasts two outdoor pools, including a children's pool with a pirate ship and slides, hot tubs on the upper terrace and rooms with private balconies. Get active in the fitness centre or unwind in the Turkish bath and sauna. Tuck into buffet food at Les Oliveres which features show cooking and a children's food. There's also a snack bar by the pool, a pub and a supermarket.
H10 Salauris Palace is a modern 4-star hotel, a 15-minute walk away from the beach. This award-winning hotel has a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall and hot tub. The beauty centre has a heated indoor pool, gym, Turkish bath, sauna, massages and beauty treatments. Why not relax in the Jacuzzi with views over Salou? Salauris Palace offers entertainment for all ages and a range of activities such as billiards, darts, basketball, volleyball.
The elegant H10 Vintage Salou stands next to the central Plaza Europa and is not far from Levante beach. Fully refurbished, the hotel boasts stylish rooms, adults' and children´s pools and activities from aqua aerobics to archery. Dine in Les Vinyes Buffet Restaurant with show cooking, have lunch by the pool at the aqua bar or sip on a cocktail in the Azucar Bar.
Or you could try the Las Vegas Hotel, another four-star hotel by the beach. Your spacious room has a private terrace, an LCD TV, parquet floors and modern décor. Spend your day at the beach or lounging by the pool, come back for dinner at the Mediterranean buffet restaurant before chilling in the piano bar with live music.
With a Spa
If you really want unwind and get pampered, stay at one of these spa hotels. Most are at the higher end of the price range.
Blaumar Hotel Salou overlooks Levante beach and the seafront promenade in a peaceful part of Salou. It offers two swimming pools, a gym and games consoles room. The spa is free for hotel guests and features a hot tub, sauna and Turkish baths. Blaumar's buffet restaurant offers authentic regional dishes made with local produce, as well as Spanish food and themed nights.
Also in quiet area is Eurosalou and Spa, 15 minutes walk from the beach and port. Hotel guests can enjoy a pool, gym and spa including Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, massages and treatments.
If you'd rather somewhere more central there's Ibersol Spa Aqquaria situated in the Plaza Europa main square with bars, shops and restaurants nearby. It boasts two pools separated by a waterfall, lush gardens, and the quality apartments have a living room, kitchen and large terrace. The spa includes a sauna, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, indoor pool and gym.
You'll enjoy spectacular views over Salou from the roof terrace at Hotel Dorada Palace. The sixth floor of the hotel has a gym, hot tub and beauty salon offering massages and treatments at an extra cost, but it also has great views. If you can tear yourself away from the spa there are three outdoor pools a lounge bar and shows put on every night.
Why note stay at the four-star Golden Port Salou and Spa? Each room opens onto a furnished balcony while the bathrooms have hydro massage showers. Outside you can sunbathe on the terrace or take a dip in the pool. In the spa you can enjoy the spa pool and hot tub, and choose from a range of treatments.