MedPlaya Hotel San Eloy

The MedPlaya San Eloy can easily be mistaken for an ancient fortress from the outside. The property is surrounded by a battlement-style wall and a narrow moat, and a large stone arch topped with flags marks the entrance. An ivy-covered tunnel leads straight into a large square where all common areas are located. However, the hotel is more basic than its exterior may suggest. The reception, housed in a small whitewashed cottage, is more of an office than a lobby: there is no seating area, and guests check in and out over a counter from the outside. Other common areas are similarly simple, with generic furniture made of wood or plastic, and basic tiled floors. Some spaces (including a few rooms) were renovated in the mid-2010s and have a few pops of color and fresh layers of paint, but everything here is more functional than up-to-date. The hotel’s unassuming style and low rates draw families on a budget, and the atmosphere is generally lively around the pools, with dozens of kids running around, and an active entertainment team.

The hotel is located off a quiet road running through a thick Mediterranean forest about a five-minute drive north of Tossa de Mar. There are no restaurants or shops within walking distance, but the hotel runs a free shuttle to the city center, where guests can find an array of dining and shopping options, as well as three beaches. Local attractions, such as the lovely 12th-century castle, the Lighthouse Museum, and the ruins of a Gothic church, are all within a 10-minute drive, but can also be reached on foot from where the shuttle bus stops. The property is about a 40-minute drive from Girona Airport and about 1.5 hours from Barcelona-El Prat International Airport. Outdoor parking is available on-site for a fee. 

The hotel has 134 rooms, including standard guest rooms, studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. A few apartments were updated in the mid-2010s and have a somewhat contemporary feel, but most units have dated '80s-style wooden furniture, plain brown floors, thin bedspreads in pink hues, and curtains with busy prints. All but standard guest rooms have small kitchenettes with two hot plates, a microwave, a sink, and and a mini-fridge. Kitchen utensils are limited, though, and extras are not available at the hotel. Standard amenities include a small flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and fans, but the hotel does not have air-conditioning. Most apartments also have sofa beds. Bathrooms are basic but clean, with shower/tub combos and white tiles throughout. Only hand soap is provided. 

The hotel offers a wide range of meal plans, from room-only to all-inclusive. All meals are buffet-style and served at the restaurant, which features a big dining room with dozens of tables. Guests seem to find food decent for the price, and those on the all-inclusive plan generally feel they’re getting good bang for their buck with snacks, bottled water, and drinks available until well into the night. There are two pools on-site, both with spacious decks around them and ample loungers. The smallest of the two has a separate kiddy section. Guests of all ages are kept busy with a full entertainment program, plus a kids’ club and tiny fitness room with a handful of machines. There are tennis and basketball courts and a small mini-golf area, as well, but use of equipment requires fees.