4R Gran Regina

There's nothing too remarkable about the 4R Regina Gran Hotel, located in the seaside town of Salou. Its blocky, tan-colored buildings are fronted by palm trees and covered in balconies, while a bright, vast lobby has tan marble tile floors and thick brown columns. A seating area with black wicker couches is livened up with potted tropical plants and brightly colored abstract art on the walls. The space is functional, albeit not very stylish or warm. However, most guests are families and couples eager to get outside to the swimming pools that are the centerpiece of the property. Sunbeds line the stone deck and the pool has a lovely waterfall feature. Lined with lush trees and shrubbery, the pool area is attractive enough, despite the hotel buildings looming in the background. Despite the number of families with kids, the hotel is generally relaxed. 

The property is located in a quiet part of Salou, a town on the Costa Dorada of Catalonia's Tarragona region. It's within 10 minutes' walk or a few minutes' drive of the town center, where there are lots of restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The beach is also about a 10-minute walk away. Many families and tourists come here to visit PortAventura World, a theme park located five minutes from the hotel by car. The property is also about 20 minutes' drive from the coastal town of Cambrils, known for its seafood and gastronomy, and 15 minutes from Gaudi's birthplace of Reus and the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco. Barcelona and its airport are about 80 minutes away.

Rooms and suites are available at the 4R Regina Gran Hotel and all have the same contemporary, light-colored decor. Light wooden furniture combines with blue-striped bedspreads and warm brown accent walls for a comfortable, coastal vibe -- though the linens could use a modern update. Artwork is nature-themed and lends some interest and bright pops of color to the walls. Rooms all have balconies, some with nice views over the pool. Royal-blue loveseats are a nice touch, while suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms with full-size couches. Along with free Wi-Fi, rooms all have flat-screen TVs (with limited English-speaking channels), mini-fridges (for a fee), and safes (deposit required). Bathrooms are smallish and have a modern feel with soft-beige or charcoal-gray tile and glass-doored showers; hairdryers and basic toiletries are provided. 

A solid list of amenities are available for both kids and adults. All-inclusive and half-board options are available at the buffet restaurant, which serves international cuisine. There's also a Cafe Bar serving drinks and light fare, as well as a snack bar by the pool offering casual dishes such as burgers and fries. The most popular features at the hotel are the outdoor pools, one of which is a kiddy pool. There's also an indoor pool (for a fee), and this space includes a hot tub and a sauna. The on-site spa offers massage treatments and has a beauty salon as well. The hotel's sizable fitness center holds plenty of cardio and weight-training machines. For families, there's a spacious and light-filled kids' club for ages 4 to 14, and during the high season the hotel offers a supervised indoor play area. Other recreational features include mini-golf, tennis, and a game room, though activities come with added fees. Meeting and banquet space for up to 400 guests is available on-site -- meeting rooms are tech-equipped but bland. Wi-Fi is free.