C/ Ciutat de Reus 7-9, Salou, Spain | (888) 252-0567
One-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of Salou’s old town
10 minutes on foot to Salou Beach
Well-maintained rooms have small flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies
Decent-sized outdoor pool with adjacent kiddy pool
All-day buffet restaurant, plus poolside bar serving light snacks and drinks
Daily kids’ club and other children’s activities
Game room with air hockey and pool tables
Small spa area with two whirlpools and a sauna (fee)
Secure underground parking
Lots of dated decor throughout
Fee for in-room Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and safes
Food receives mixed reviews
Fee to use spa and gym facilities
Gym is more of a corridor with a few scattered pieces of equipment
The 163-room California Palace is located on the outskirts of Salou's old town, a 10-minute walk from the beach. Like many three-pearl hotels in Salou, this one is dated in many areas and offers average facilities. Air-conditioned rooms are clean but sparsely decorated, and guests have to pay for in-room mini-fridges, safes, and Wi-Fi. Nevertheless, small flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies are notable upsides. Kid-friendly amenities include a curiously shaped main pool and tiny children’s pool, windowless kids' pool, and nighttime entertainment. Half- and full-board rates are available, but food receives mixed reviews. While an indoor spa area has two whirlpools and a sauna, guests will have to pay to use it. It's worth considering the more modern Blaumar Hotel, which is two minutes on foot from Salou Beach and has higher-quality features.
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Scene
Mostly dated hotel that sees mix of Spanish and British guests
It’s a near-even mix of couples and families from Britain and Spain that come to the California Palace. Given that the property opened in 2003, it's more contemporary than most hotels in the area, though several areas still suffer from old-fashioned decor. The airy lobby has a facade of glass that lights the six-story staircase and column with metallic mosaic tiling, plus there's attractive polished beige tiling topped with seating in shades of brown and orange. Similar color schemes are found throughout the property, but in the case of the bar -- with bright-orange and light-green chairs set against peach columns -- the effect is less appealing. Most activity takes place around the oddly shaped pool, which is surrounded by a terra-cotta deck and lots of greenery. Despite the presence of families and daily entertainment, the hotel largely remains quiet and peaceful.
Location
On the edge of Salou’s old town; 10 minutes from the beach on foot
Located on the edge of Salou’s pretty old town, the California Palace is well-situated for those who desire the amenities of a resort, but also want the shops, bars, and restaurants of a town at their door. Don't expect any ocean views here though, as the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the nearest part of Salou Beach. Those seeking a thrill need only drive 10 minutes to PortAventura, a large water park. Driving to Reus Airport takes roughly 15 minutes. The hotel offers shopping trips to Barcelona -- a journey that can take between 90 minutes and two hours depending on traffic.
Rooms
Clean rooms where almost everything comes at a cost
The California Palace's rooms are undeniably sparse and basic, but on the up side, they're well-maintained and clean. All similarly outfitted, rooms have magnolia walls, white-tile floors, and laminate furniture with curved edges. Beds and curtains have floral-patterned linens in beige and red, while daybeds have deep-red fabric. Colorful landscape artwork is a welcome touch. All rooms have sliding glass doors that lead to furnished balconies and let in light. Room have air-conditioning, desks, and small flat-screen TVs, but expect to pay for in-room mini-fridges, safes, and Wi-Fi. Contemporary bathrooms are a good size, and come equipped with shower/tub combos, bidets, toiletries, and hairdryers.
Features
A large outdoor pool and buffet-style meals
The California Palace knows its audience: Young families and sun-seeking couples looking for an uncomplicated vacation. Its amenities, while predictable, are intended to hit precisely that spot. The medium-sized outdoor pool has a number of shallower areas for older kids, plus there's a separate kiddy pool, but it’s tiny and located in a perpetually shady corner. The deck houses a number of lounge chairs, as well as tables under umbrellas. A kids’ club runs every day during high season, and daily activities and entertainment are offered, such as quizzes and live music. A lounge with rows of dining chairs facing a tube TV isn't that enticing, nor is the windowless game room with ping-pong and an air-hockey table. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style in a large room with formally set tables. Half-board and full-board options are available, but food as a whole receives mediocre reviews. Light snacks and drinks are available during the day at the poolside bar. A small spa areas has two whirlpools of different sizes and a sauna, while the adjacent gym is wedged in a corridor and sparsely equipped with a few pieces of old free weights and machines. The hotel charges for guests to use both the spa and the gym.
