H10 Salauris Palace

This H10, part of the upscale Spanish chain, isn't the most contemporary jewel in their crown, despite the implications of its palatial name. The resort-style hotel is made up of several tall buildings, and the lobby is fine, if not particularly cutting edge from a design perspective. Wooden beams frame the high ceilings, while outdated terra cotta and maroon tiling create patterns on the floors. There are a few sagging couches and plenty of tourist information all around. That being said, this is a wildly popular destination for families and couples flocking to Salou's sun and sea (though the beach is a good distance away from this hotel). There are plenty of places for guests to relax, sunbathe, and play throughout, including indoor and outdoor pools, along with terraces, and multiple on-site restaurants and bars. In general, the restaurants are a bit more stylish than the rest of the common areas, but venues like Xaloc are massive and have an impersonal vibe -- a common feature among the all-inclusive resorts lining this stretch of Spanish coast.

The H10 Salauris Palace is in downtown Salou in an area surrounded by other large hotels. PortAventura Park -- a large theme park with thrill rides -- and Levante Beach are within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, while Aquopolis, Capellans Beach and Ponent Beach are a 10-minute drive. Reus Airport is 15 minutes away by car while Barcelona-El Prat Airport is one hour away. Barcelona’s city center is an 80-minute drive from the hotel.

Rooms at the H10 Salauris Palace are mostly stylish and generally more contemporary than the hotel's common areas. There are homey touches in Double Rooms, like big white armchairs and chunky whitewashed furniture, alongside modern details including gray patterned wallpaper and dark wood headboards and nightstands. Higher category rooms, like Superior Double Rooms, are more thoroughly attractive and updated, with sharp wood laminate floors and uniformly handsome furniture in dark wood tones. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and furnished balconies -- some of which have lovely pool views. Rooms also have mini-fridges and coffeemakers, but their use incurs fees in some rooms. Bathrooms revert to the dated style of the hotel's lobby, with terra cotta tile floors, marble countertops, and shower/tub combos -- these details would be fine enough but the circus-striped orange and white tilework on the walls is unattractive.

The hotel has three pools with lots of surrounding seating. The highlight is the large, freeform outdoor pool with a rock waterfall, while the indoor pool is rectangular with blue tile and a small hot tub. There is a small kids' pool and an adults-only rooftop sundeck with hot tub that has decent views of the surrounding area and the amusement park in the distance. Entertainment is provided each night at the large pool. 

Xaloc Restaurant serves Spanish and International dishes and has a kids' buffet, while snacks and cocktails plus foosball and pool tables are provided at La Choza Snack Bar. Guests can also grab a drink at the Chill Out Terrace, and the Pool Bar serves soft drinks, waffles, and ice cream. Blue Bar has live musical entertainment every night. Full and half-board options are available, but no meals are included otherwise.

Despacio Spa offers massages and beauty treatments and has a sauna. There's also a fitness center with dumbbells plus cardio and weight machines. The business center has flat-screen TVs with game consoles and lots of computers, and there's a free kids' club, Daisy Mini Club. Other kid-friendly facilities include an outdoor playground, a pingpong table, and a game room with air hockey and arcade games. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but indoor garage parking costs extra.