Playadulce Hotel

Playa Senator owns several family-friendly chain properties in this part of the world, and while each is mostly the same (think kids' club, swimming pools, buffet restaurants, and basic rooms), Hotel Playadulce has a reputation for being calm and quiet, without the usual mad rush for buffet food and sun loungers. The lobby has a slight Western theme, with cowboy hats hung on the walls and an animal print throw draped over a soft brown couch. Planted cacti are placed on wooden tables. (It looks a little odd when compared to the seashell display on the coffee table.) Outside, green lawns and palm trees are well tended.

Hotel Playadulce is located in a mostly residential neighborhood in Aguadulce. There's a beach bar but no other restaurants or entertainment within walking distance, so a car is recommended for those that want to explore the area. La Envia golf course is about a 10-minute drive northwest. Expect a 25-minute drive to get to Almería Airport, to the east. There's a charge for hotel parking.

There are 237 rooms and suites at the Playadulce. The Junior Suite has modern royal blue furniture and two enormous windows with stunning sea views that can be enjoyed from the king bed. A corner hot tub and two small living areas make this room a welcome option for couples. The Family Themed Room is truly one-of-a-kind. Western fans will love the stagecoach bunk beds, cowhide prints, and sheriff's badge hanging on the wall, but toy rifles flanking the bed might be appalling to some parents. In comparison, Double Rooms look downright boring with minimal furniture and double beds pushed together, topped with ugly orange and blue striped coverlets. These units have an empty mini-fridge and old-fashioned tube TV behind a white lattice cupboard. Bathrooms include double sinks and shower/tub combinations. Furnished balconies overlook the ocean and neighboring roofs.

The features at Playadulce focus mostly on outdoor activities and ease for families. There's a buffet restaurant (packages available) which includes a parents' corner where moms and dads can warm up bottles and find highchairs. Three meals a day are served here, with show cooking for each. A British-style pub is open in the high season and there's also a lobby lounge for coffees and pastries. In the summer, the poolside restaurant focuses on fresh seafood dishes.

The kids' club provides supervised activities for little ones and there's nightly entertainment for families and adults. A rectangular shaped swimming pool is flanked with blue sun loungers and an adjacent whirlpool. A kid's pool is also on hand with two water slides. Chairs can be rented on the beach for a fee. Clean towels require a charge as well (the first towel is free with a deposit, but you'll have to pay if you want to swap it for a new one). The beach club is open seasonally.

Additional outdoor recreation includes mini-golf and a playground. The indoor game room houses billiards, air hockey, arcade games, and more. For business travelers, event and conference spaces are available.