Calypso Hotel, Salou

Author's product rating:   

Advantages:	Very friendly and helpful staff  Lovely pools
Disadvantages:	food a bit naff .  . Room too small  .  . Lots of noisy Spanish people,

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

We stayed at the Calypso Hotel in Salou for a 7night trip. On our arrival (10pm) we were politely dealt with by the reception staff. We were put on the top floor of the older building (This was OK for myself and my husband and 12 month old baba , but I wouldn't want to stay on this floor with young children. The lifts were good, and they always worked, and even though they only held 4 people, we didn't have to wait long.

Our room was way too small really, and it had very dated furniture and an uncomfortable bed. We had lots of storage space for clothes etc. This room slept 4, but I wouldn't want to stay in it with any more than 2 people.

The bathroom was brilliant, and it was very very clean. The shower was excellent, and we were supplied with clean towels and toilet rolls every day. I wish I could have a shower as powerful as that at home. There was also lots of hot water.

The balcony was small but adequate, with a table and 2 chairs, and we were overlooking one of the pools.

The Swimming pools were VERY COLD, but it was only the end of April. We still went in and had a quick swim and splash around. There were two pools; a kiddies pool, kiddies playground (near pool), and there was also lots of sunbeds, and tables and chairs. I think this hotel would be excellent to stay in at the height of the season.

The cleaners were excellent 10/10. They did a good job.

The reception staff were friendly, and the reception area was comfortable.

Food - We were half board, and we only went down for breakfast on one day. It was pretty basic - ham, cheese, boiled eggs, Frankfurters, rolls, (the rolls were never really fresh) coffee and tea. There was nothing wrong with the breakfast, just that we wanted more choice, and my husband likes a cooked breakfast, so we ate out.

Dinner - The first night we had it, it was excellent with lots of variety - Beef, Pork, Mash, Potato croquettes, salads, pasta, pasta sauce, cheese, rolls, chips, and lots of it all. We really enjoyed it. Puddings were strawberries (lots) cream, cakes, and mousses.

The staff there were extremely helpful and pleasant to all the guests. The second time we went for dinner we weren't so keen as it was the same as the previous night (which was fine), but instead of beef and pork, there were ribs? and fishy chicken? We weren't keen, so we decided to eat out again.

The drinks in the restaurant were really fairly priced. We had a large bottle of water, and it was as cheap as chips.

There is a small shop located at reception. It isn't open that much, but it stocks all the things you may have forgotten to take with you. As in our case plug adapters (which were very cheap - less that £2).

I think perhaps we would have been better with self catering rather than half board.

There is a games room there for kids, which has pool tables in it. They have entertainment there at night for kids; music etc. There is a table tennis table outside, which we used (a good laugh). You have to pay a deposit of 5 Euro's for the bats, but you get it back when the bats are returned (to reception). There was also a charge of about 1 Euro per hour to use the table.

WEATHER - We were there on the 21st of April, and the weather was good. It was usually a little cloudy in the mornings, but by midday the sun was out, and it was definitely poolside weather.

We didn't go to the beach, as it seemed a bit windy there, and at the hotel it was definitely hotter (a bit of a sun trap). We got burnt on the last day, as we didn't realise how hot it was.

The hotel is just a short walk from shops, restaurants and night life.

It is a bit of a walk to the beach, so if you have small kiddies and want an hotel near the beach, perhaps this wouldn't be for you.

There is a McDonalds and Burger King there, but be warned, they are a very long walk away.

You can hear a bit of noise at night from the pubs and clubs, but it's definitely not enough to stop you from sleeping.

The shops were all a bit mundane and a bit repetitive. They all seemed to sell the same old souvenirs no matter what their size. If they were bigger, they just seemed to have more of the same stuff, which was OK, and it didn't really bother us.

There doesn't seem to be any looky looky men out there - well, we didnt see any! ;-) It's early in the year to go really, but most things were open already, and there were loads of restaurants etc. to choose from.

Supermarkets sold most things you would need.

I would say this is an excellent place to stay for families.

Meals weren't badly priced if eating out, and there were some good restaurants (and I am fussy with food) that offered good value for money - 3 course meal (good variety offered) for 8 Euro's.

Lots of pubs and clubs if you are into that. Drinks weren't too badly priced - much the same as the UK, though I think soft drinks were more expensive over there than here.

My hubby hates the long transfers from the airport to the hotel and back, so we opted out and made our own way in a cab (and have they improved) which was easy enough - had to wait just minutes. (Barcelona airport) It cost 30 Euro's from the airport to the hotel, and 29 Euro's on the way back.

I would recommend this hotel at this time of year, and we had a lovely time.

We would happily go back there.

If you are reading this because you are going. I Hope you have a brilliant time! I am sure that you will.
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This review is all down to my long suffering missus Jenny..