Blaumar Hotel

Blaumar Hotel Salou is a family-friendly option with plenty of children's amenities and activities that complement its location right next to the beachside promenade. Compared to the other hotels that we've seen in Salou -- many of which are heinously dated -- the Blaumar is a more pleasant choice, though travelers should expect a humble style combined with some areas that are dated. Expect to see lots of wood paneling, conference hall-style furniture, and minimal artistic accents throughout the hotel's public interiors. However, as with most area hotels, the focus is on activities and being out in the sun -- as such, there's a constant bevy of things to do during the summer high season. Many of the aparthotel's own products and even some children's workshops draw an important focus on their theme toward environmentalism. In fact, it's the only one in town that has been nationally certified as a green hotel.

The aparthotel overlooks the Jaume I Promenade and Llevant Beach, putting it in a prime location for tourists. The old town is just a six-minute walk from the hotel, at the westernmost end of the promenade. In the other direction, it's a 10-minute walk past trendy restaurants, ice cream counters, and shops to Font Luminosa. Many families in Salou will inevitably head to PortAventura theme park, which is only a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Salou's main train station is a five-minute drive from the hotel for connections to Barcelona, which will take 90 minutes to reach by train. Those seeking a little bit of history may want to check out Tarragona, which has UNESCO World Heritage-designated Roman ruins and is a 20-minute trip by train. Depending on traffic, it takes between 15 and 30 minutes to drive to the nearest airport in Reus, and around an hour to reach to Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

The apartments here are a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to style. Some are more modern -- like Mediterranea Suites and Club Suites -- while others are a bit dated, like the Standard Suite that we saw during our visit. The former are done in colorful wood furniture, with sharper modern fabrics, and details like sculptural wall art. The latter feature rattan furniture and old, faded paintings on the walls. All are one-bedroom units with kitchenettes and furnished balconies or terrace with optional views of the pool or beach. Sofa beds come with each room. Bathrooms are mostly attractive across the board, with walk-in stall showers, hairdryers, and heated towel racks. Kitchenettes feature mini-fridges, cutlery and pans, and a stove -- microwaves are included in upgraded rooms. Family Apartments have actual bedroom doors as opposed to sliding doors, and add shower/tub combos in bathrooms, but they're located in an adjacent building, which can make for an awkward trek to the aparthotel's pools (it's also a challenge for those needing accessible rooms). Thirty-seven-inch flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning come standard, but in-room Wi-Fi is paid by the day, as is use of the safe (plus a refundable deposit).

There aren't many surprises at the Blaumar when it comes to features, though it's on par with most family-friendly hotels in the area and even tries to add a few upmarket details. The large outdoor swimming pool accommodates many guests even when scheduled entertainment/activities like water volleyball are taking place, and there's rarely a lack of sunbeds. The children's splash pool has fountains and a slide, and is near a small playground with benches for supervising parents. There's also a kids' club with games and daily activities like environmental workshops, plus a Nintendo room with GameCubes and a GameBoy Advance SP. Dining and drinking is a limited affair, but keeps most guests reasonably happy despite food receiving mixed reviews. Blaumar Buffet serves breakfast (for a fee) and meals throughout the day -- it also has a dinnertime dress code for men. Arena Restaurant serves Mediterranean fare and an original wine list, and Blaumar Cafe serves quick bites and drinks, both with outdoor seating with a view of the promenade. The poolside bar also offers a special barbecue buffet as another lunch alternative. Half-board rates are available. The tiny gym is sparsely equipped with cardio equipment, and there's a spa plus a sauna and Turkish bath. Bicycles can be rented, including ones with children's seats and baskets. The hotel owns 100 private covered parking spaces and charges a daily fee. In-room Wi-Fi is also paid, but is otherwise free in public areas.