Gran Hotel La Hacienda

True to its name, this hotel has a Mexican hacienda-inspired look, with clay-tile roofs and terra-cotta-tone buildings. The attractive entrance features a well-kept lawn with towering palm trees and a simple fountain surrounded by a rock garden. Gentle archways lead into the vast lobby, where an iron chandelier hangs from a yellow-painted ceiling inlay. Floors have intricate gray-colored mosaic tiling, and a cozy sitting area has cushioned wicker chairs and a sofa beside enormous arched windows. A sweeping staircase with decorative railings leads up to the first floor. This is a 10-year-old building and can feel a little tired in areas, but it's kept clean and fresh throughout. There's an emphasis on tourist families with children -- posters in the lobby advertise local theme parks -- but the hotel also gets a good number of middle-aged sun-seekers. 

This hotel is located in La Pineda, a town close to Salou. The center of Salou is 10 minutes away by car and offers lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. There are also a few dining options within a five-minute walk, and the beach can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes. The popular family spot, PortAventura theme park, is just over a 10-minute drive from the hotel. For golfers, Lumine Golf Club is just seven minutes by car, and tourists can also reach the port city of Tarragona, an UNESCO site with Roman ruins, in about 10 minutes. Reus, where architect Gaudi was born, sits about 20 minutes north. Barcelona and its airport are around 80 to 90 minutes away by car. 

Gran Hotel La Hacienda offers rooms and suites with simple, understated decor that can feel a little dated. Rooms feature tile floors and pastel walls, and floral-print bedspreads in coordinating tones. Colorful paintings hang above the beds, which guests tend to find comfortable. Superior Rooms, completed in 2015, have a more modern feel, with natural-wood headboards and furniture, and decor in earth tones such as olive green. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and optional minibars and safes. All rooms have balconies or terraces viewing the pool or distant landscape (sometimes an oil refinery). Bathrooms are attractive if not very modern, with white and royal-blue tile, and marble sinks. Shower/tub combos have glass doors, and hairdryers and toiletries are provided. There are also four Junior Suites with parquet floors and Venetian-themed paintings. These also add sitting/dining rooms with sofa beds, and separate bedrooms with balconies and bathrooms with two-person hot tubs. 

Breakfast is included at the Mediterranean buffet restaurant and has many hot and cold choices, such as eggs and bacon, but some guests have complained of lukewarm food. Half-board and all-inclusive options are available. La Bonita Cafe serves drinks in a cafeteria-style setting with TVs. The hotel has an outdoor pool lined with many sunbeds and umbrellas, plus a separate wading pool for little ones. A poolside snack bar is available seasonally. There's also an indoor pool with therapy waterfalls, and additional water-therapy features such as jetted tubs, a pebbled foot bath, and a Vichy shower. The spa has a bit of a thrown-together feel and offers massage treatments. A spacious and light-filled gym has a decent number of (somewhat dated) cardio and weight-training machines. Sports facilities extend to paddle and traditional tennis courts, and an indoor football field. Activities and entertainment for adults and children range from air rifle shooting to kids' cooking classes, and there are a kids' club and sandy outdoor playground.