GHT Hotel Maritim

Hotel Maritim sits on a corner of the beachfront strip in Calella and is one of the more pleasantly modern options in the area. Its blue balconies and curved shape against the blue sky create an ocean liner effect -- and inside, the polished wood paneling and floors continue this style. That's amplified by the bustling, but not busy, atmosphere, with lots of guests of all stripes found throughout the hotel. The lobby is bright and welcoming, and an exterior glass elevator soars upwards with spectacular views of the sea and town. The small lobby bar is a bit bland, but the main buffet restaurant has a nice conservatory overlooking the outdoor pool and the astro-turfed rooftop terrace is a great space to kick back. It's a hotel popular with families, mainly due to beach proximity, but guests also include couples of all ages, and some tour groups. 

The GHT Hotel Maritim sits on the beachfront road Carrer del Mar. It's separated from the beach by the train tracks that run along the coast, but there's an underpass just a two-minute walk away. There are several mini-marts nearby and the road is lined with hotels and restaurants. It's a five- to 10-minute walk to the center of town, for Town Hall Square, Santa Maria Church, and shopping on Carrer de l'Esglesia. Farther afield, Calella Lighthouse is a popular attraction with great area views, and is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel (or a 10-minute bus ride) from the main road Carrer de St. Jaume. Barcelona Airport is a 60-minute trip away by car, though there are plenty of buses that connect in about the same time, leaving from the bus stop right outside the hotel. Regular trains also run from Calella Station along the coast to central Barcelona.

Rooms have a simple, coastal decor, with white walls, tiled floors, navy curtains, and nautical bed runners and pillows. It's not exactly contemporary, but the look is more pleasant than some of the dated mid-range options in town. Standard features include flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, with safes and fridges available for an extra daily fee. While Wi-Fi is technically free, it's extremely slow. Sea-view rooms are available, and all rooms have balconies. Rooms come with two twin beds as standard, though these can be converted into double beds if requested before arrival. Some rooms can be connected to make family-friendly rooms that sleep up to four, with cribs, baby baths, and child toilet seats on hand if needed. Bathrooms are equally simple, with pale marble tiling and floors, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and pump-dispensed toiletries.

Features are on par with other mid-range options, though many here have been given a modern overhaul that makes this a solid value for the area. The hotel curves around its outdoor pool deck, which is enclosed by a fence providing privacy and safety from the road, and has a separate toddler pool. There are sun loungers and tables around, and a pool bar serving drinks and light meals, though complaints about the size of the pool and number of loungers aren't uncommon. The main restaurant offers a buffet menu throughout the day, and there's a separate lobby bar with a pool table, arcade games, and a small outside area. Meal plans up to full-board rates are available, but all-inclusive packages aren't an option. There's also a spa -- with a small indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, treatment room -- and a modern (but tiny) fitness room with cardio and weight-training equipment. Keep in mind that there are fees to access both of these areas of the hotel. Another pleasant addition is the rooftop garden, which has an artificial lawn, pretty plants, loungers, hot tub and a vending machine, plus spectacular far-reaching views out to sea and over the town. A children's play area with a ball pit and sofas for parents is available, and a family-appropriate entertainment program is offered during the summer months. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though it's very patchy, even in the hotel lobby.