Dorada Palace Apartments

On arrival to the Dorada Palace Apartments in Salou, I had my misgivings because of some reviews I had read previously, but luckily I found all the negative comments didn't match my first impression!

The hotel staff were all friendly, helpful and efficient (I had read that the majority of the staff couldn't be bothered and were rude)! The hotel itself was spotlessly clean, and had lots of entertainment every evening. I would say this is definitely a family with small children kind of hotel, which luckily we were! My 6 year old loved the kids club!

The beach is about ten minutes walk away, which we found no problem, but the hotel has a fabulous pool and toddler pool, and enough entertainment to keep my kids happy, so we didn't feel it was necessary to stray far from the hotel!

We found that the food was fine, and there was a varied menu, even my 2 fussy kids found something to eat when we chose to eat in the hotel.

My one negative comment is the sunbeds!!! It will really help if you are an Olympic runner or rugby player, as the staff do not let you have a sunbed until 9am, when you have to queue, so when they open the doors it's a stampede to get a good spot and a sunbed!! We saw a man around 80 years old with a walking stick hobbling until those doors opened, then he was off and running!! You have to be quick!!

Port Aventura is an absolute must! It is brilliant for adults and kids alike. We went 3 times in 10 days, and we could have gone again if we had the time! It's about 15 minutes walk from the hotel.

Overall, we found the whole hotel and area to be brilliant, and we shall definitely go there again!

DORADA PALACE APARTMENTS

1) Even if your flight arrives early (ie 10.00am in our case) you can't check in until 14.00pm! The queue starts forming in reception around 1.30pm! We recommend having a small bag with your beach/swimming stuff, store your suitcases in the basement (charge is e1) and make the most of the facilities!

2) Be aware there is a e100 deposit required on arrival to cover any potential breakages. This cash only!

3) Hotel beach towels can be hired for the week at reception for free.

4) There is a mad rush at 9.00am for sun beds and by 9.15am they are all gone! Either you wake up early or miss out!

5) Breakfast buffet for E6 is great and all you could possibly want (till lunchtime anyway!)

6) Dinner is a bit more formal (men to wear at least length trouser!) and costs E12. We found the Italian night the best.

SALOU RESTUARANTS/PUBS

There are plenty of restaurants around and we would recommend:

1) The Spaghetti House - Good for pizzas, pasta but we enjoyed the desserts even more. Service is slow but the food is great and quick!

2) Uncle Sams - Good for burgers, nachos etc and a great all round menu with very down-to-earth (friendly) staff. Very good value for money.

3) Taj Mahal - Next to Uncle Sam's is a tasty Indian restaurant. Service is not great but the food hits the spot!

4) The Butler - next to the Spaghetti house is a good English pub with English TV is you're a soap addict.

5) Shankleys - Opposite Uncle Sams is another English pub and a must for Liverpool fans.

6) The George & Dragon - Good for food and English TV.

7) The Old Brown Cow - Family business - great food and service.

DAY TRIPS

Do Barcelona first as your bus discount book gives you 2 for 1 tickets for Port Aventura!

Do not visit Barcelona on a Monday as all the museums are closed!

Do visit Barcelona on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, as on these days there is an evening fountain show.

1. Barcelona

Trip to Barca is a must! Forget the reps trip its massively overpriced E50! We got the train and we had no problems from Salou Station (7 euro from hotel in taxi). Buy return train tickets at E11 per adult and enjoy the 1 hour train ride. Sit on the right is you want to see the best views/beaches. Get off at Sants (Barcelona) station its the first one in Barca. Step outside the station and look right for the open top bus stood at the bus top (called BusTuristic). If one is not there then one appears every ten minutes. Get on the bus and pay the guide/driver e17 per adult. There are three zones Red, Blue and Green, you can use them all and change at certain points, we started and finished on the Blue which took us back to the station to catch the train home. They will give a map and discount book. Remember you can hop on and off at all the main sights. Brilliant... don't miss the dancing fountains in the evening. Also well worth a good look are the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, the Olympic Stadium, Park Guell and best of all if you're a footy fan the Nou Camp. Look out for the holographic photograph on the pitch at Nou Camp. Remember to use your discount book at most the sights. Tourist info is underground at Placa Catalunya and they are very helpful. Shopping in Barca fantastic also particularly around Las Ramblas! Only down side is that last train from Barcelona was at 9pm. NB, Your return train ticket may not work in the automatic machine (ours didn't), don't panic, show the guard your ticket and he'll let you through.

2. Port Aventura

Port Aventura was also excellent. I suggest though that you bring enough to cover food expenses as the food snacky rather than filling. Limited choice for vegetarians. Even so there is something for everyone; the queues were not long, longest 20mins. The park was very clean and tidy but smoking appears to be a national obsession! It is much cooler and the queues are even shorter and the atmosphere is more relaxed. The firework and laser show at 11.30pm is not to be missed although the crowds start gathering around the lake from around 10.30pm so you need to be in that area early to get a good viewing point.

3. Sunday Market

Bonavista has a Sunday Market for cloths, shoes, fruit & veg, gifts etc. Don't spend E13 on the Rep's trip as the local bus will take you there (and back) for around E5! NB, All buses/coaches drop you about 5/10mins walk from the market!

4. Supermarkets

The supermarkets are plentiful, the best being the Michaelangelo chain.