Hotel Villamarina Club

The Hotel Villamarina Club attracts a crowd composed almost entirely of British families, who are willing to look past the hotel’s flaws in favor of affordable all-inclusive rates. Like most hotels in this part of Spain, interiors are outdated and in need of modernization. The lobby of the hotel is clean but unattractively dated, featuring bulky wood-paneled columns, wooden armchairs with worn red cushions, and the requisite tourist brochure racks. The buffet restaurant has more attractive beige-tile floors, black-wicker furniture, and light-mauve wall accents. Predictably, the focus is more on the outdoors, where the hotel’s two pools and large terraces can be found. As this is a kid-friendly spot, the pools can get very busy in the height of the summer, and guests looking for a quieter time typically make use of a rooftop solarium. The entertainment team puts on events for kids and adults throughout the day and night during high season, and word of warning, it can be loud and last until late.

The hotel is located on the outskirts of Salou, a 15-minute walk from the town’s beach. The old town, where a number of shops, bars, and restaurants can be found, is 10 minutes away on foot. PortAventura theme and water park is a 10-minute drive away. Expect transfer times of 35 minutes by car to Reus airport, or between an hour and 90 minutes to Barcelona-El Prat. 

Hotel Villamarina Club offers standard twin and double rooms, plus a small number of two-bedroom apartments in a different complex a few minutes’ walk away from the main building. Air-conditioned rooms are contemporary in design and decently sized, but offer very little in the way of frills. They are outfitted with laminate wood flooring and light-wood wardrobes and huge headboards, plus periwinkle bedding and striped curtains. There are no decorations or artwork to speak of. Beige-tiled bathrooms have shower/tub combos, though the tubs are quite small. There are no fridges or kettles provided, just tiny tube-style TVs, hairdryers, and soap. Most have furnished balconies or terraces. In-room Wi-Fi requires a fee.The two-bedroom apartments sleep six, with one room holding a double bed and the other either housing two single beds or a bunk bed. The living room has a sofa bed and a camp bed, plus there are a small kitchen and dining room. Although guests can cook themselves, they're still automatically under the all-inclusive package. Apartments have more dated furnishings such as traditional wooden fittings and patterned linens. 

The hotel has a list of predictable features aimed at keeping families with young children happy. There are two sizable outdoor pools, along with a separate area for kids to splash about in. The larger of the two pools has an impressive waterfall feature, and the smaller one is next to an outdoor bar offering both snack and drinks. Another indoor bar is available with multiple pool tables. Both pools are set in large terraces with plenty of sun loungers, although guests have reported that it can be difficult to snag one during the peak summer season. Adults may prefer the quieter rooftop solarium, offering two hot tubs and loungers. Children can keep occupied with the outdoor playground, game room with foosball and arcade games, and ping-pong tables. Guests should not expect to get a workout in, as the tiny gym has just two pieces of machinery-- a dated elliptical and bicycle.Buffet-style meals are generally very good, both in terms of quality and variety. Drinks and light snacks are available both at the hotel’s main bar, and the poolside buffet. All-inclusive packages include local beers, wines, and spirits, and premium drinks are available for a fee.