Golden Donaire Park Hotel, Salou

...name on 'ciao' says the Golden Donaire Park is actually in the town of La Pineda just outside Salou.

After seeing the hotel in the Thompson Skytours brouchure, I fell in love. From what I could see from the pictures the hotel was right on the sea front, and I wasn't disapointed when I arrived.

ON ARRIVAL:
Our flight times had been changed so me and my boyfriend arrived at the hotel earlier than expeceted. The ...
...us it would be only another hour and offered to put out luggage in the secure luggage room in reception.
We went and sat in the little snack bar area at the front of the hotel overlooking the sea and had a drink. ( Beer 1,40 euros, Lemonade 1,55 euros)

ROOM:
We were room 616 ( there are 8 floors in total) and were pleased to be so high up becasue we wanted a good view. Unfortunatly we didn't have a sea view I asked reception ... more

Contrary to what the name on 'ciao' says the Golden Donaire Park is actually in the town of La Pineda just outside Salou.

After seeing the hotel in the Thompson Skytours brouchure, I fell in love. From what I could see from the pictures the hotel was right on the sea front, and I wasn't disapointed when I arrived.

ON ARRIVAL:
Our flight times had been changed so me and my boyfriend arrived at the hotel earlier than expeceted. The room wasn't ready but the pleasent lady on recepetion told us it would be only another hour and offered to put out luggage in the secure luggage room in reception.
We went and sat in the little snack bar area at the front of the hotel overlooking the sea and had a drink. ( Beer 1,40 euros, Lemonade 1,55 euros)

ROOM:
We were room 616 ( there are 8 floors in total) and were pleased to be so high up becasue we wanted a good view. Unfortunatly we didn't have a sea view I asked reception if I would be able to change this and they informed me that as the hotel was fully booked I would have to wait a couple of days, we decided to keep the room we had.
The views were still good, overlooking the pool, the town of La Pineda and on a clear day you could see out the mountains and the 'Port Aventura' theme park over 5 miles away!

The room was spacious with a big double bed, a satilite t.v ( 2 english speaking channels) a telephone, hairdrier, safety deposit box ( a cost of 20 euros from reception but you get 6 of that back at the end of the holiday). There was a small dressing table with a large mirror, 1 chair and a small bench which had a shelf underneath which I presume was for shoes. There was a spacious wardrobe with the safe, 2 small shelves and 1 large shelf plus ample hanging space

The bathroom was marble tiled with a very large well-lit mirror, a large corner bath, toilet and bidet.

On arrival the room was spotlessly clean and there was 4 towels, 2 glasses and 2 soaps in the bathroom.

We were very lucky with our balcony, we were on a corner so had a larger wrap round balcony that other rooms didn't have. There were 2 plastic chairs and 1 table on the balcony which wer perfect for enjoying the evening sun with a drink! Our balcony was in a great spot for the eveing sun from about 5:30pm onwards , even at that time of the day the sun was still very hot!

The only negative aspect was that you couldnt hire fridges, we were worried how we would be able to keep water or any alcoholic drinks cold. We bought a litle cool bag (4,70 euros) from the supermarket next door, (we already had one for the water) these plus the excellent air conditioning in the room kept our drinks very cold.

The beds were comfertable, with a only a sheet than a light throw, with temperatures constantly about 29oC when we were there at the end of June nothing more was needed.

Another negative aspect was there was only on plug socket, luckily we had a adaptor with 3 plug sockets so it wasn't a problem for us. Our room was located near a stair well and cleaners supply closet as a consequence we didn't hear anything from the other rooms our whole stay.

CLEANLINESS:
There is a maid service everyday, where they clean and sweep the whole room and change the sheets and towels. There is a 'don't disturb' sign that can be used if you don't want the maids to come every day.

The rest of the hotel is also kept spotlessley clean ( so much so that my normally unobservant boyfirend even commented on it!) Even at 10o'clock at night there was a maid cleaning the reception/lounge area toilets and the lifts.

LOCATION:
I couldn't fault the location at all. Step out onto the hotel and there's the promenade (that streches for a couple of miles along the coast) and a gorgeous beach. With white sand, and a clear sea it was great to be able to be so close onto it. For 14 euros we hired 2 sun loungers and a shade for the whole day.

There is a supermarket right next door to the hotel but we found a cheaper one over the road a few yards down. Turn left out of the hotel and the promenade leads you alongside a road, here there is a bus stop, from here you can get buses into Salou or Barcelona and also theres a regular service to the Port Aventura Theme Park/ Caribe Waterpark ( both well worth a visit, we went 3 times and loved it!) I would definitely recomend a vist to Barcelona, it's a beautiful city, the Gaudi architecture ( Park Guell/ Sagrada Familia), the Ramblas with many shops and cafes... We spent only one day there but there is so much to see and do.

Crossing over the road you come to a long strech of shops, bars and restaurants. The bars are pretty cheap and many entice you in with free shots. The shops are the touristy, cheap sort of shops but ok for gifts. There were several restaurants, - traditional fish ones and Italian ones. We only ate out one night ( at the Italian) and it was only 30 euros for drinks and 2 main courses.There is also 1 nightclub called 'Pacha' we didn't go but there was always people giving out free passes to get in.

The proximty of the hotel to the beach, bus stop, shops, bars and restaurants is one of it's best assets.

FOOD:
We booked into the hotel on a half board basis.
The large restaurant is air-conditioned and non-smoking and serves hot and cold buffet meals. Having stayed at hotels with buffets before, I can safely say that so far this is the best one I've been to.
There was such a wide choice of food, Breakfast was 7:45-10:15 and there was something different every day.
breads, fruits, cooked breakfats, cold meats, crossionts, cereals, fruit juices, coffee and tea...

The evening meals were just as good, again there were different meals every night.
several types of bread, medateranian cold meats and salads, and Italian corner with pastas, meats and vegtables, and wide selection of desserts.
It was very tempeting to have seconds ( or even thirds!)
You didn't have to pay for drinks at breakfast but you did at the evening meal ( which was served from 6:15-9:30)
a large bottle of water was only 1,40 euros and a Heinkein beer only 1,50.
The quality of the food was fantastic, well cooked and tasted delicIous, they didn't ever run out there were a constant streams of chefs filling up the buffet with fresh food and waiters to serve you your drinks.
You can also book picnics from reception if you are having a day out and request birthday cakes of champagne for special occasions.

POOL AREA:
Personally we didnt spend much time in the pool area ( too many kids under the age of 10 for us!) , we only went in the jacuzzi one evening which was quite small but warm enough and clean.

The patio area by the pool is very large with lots of sunloungers and chairs and tables, the hotel bar opens out onto it and at happy hour from 5-6 you get 2 cocktails for the price of one.

The pool itself is a rectangle and theres always a watchful life guard on duty.

LIFTS:
There are 3 lifts in the hotel. 2 of them have glass walls and looking out you can see the lift shaft and the other lift movnig up and down, which may not be to everyones taste!

ENTERTAINMENT:
Prefering to frequent the various bars in La Pineda we didn't stay for any of the entertainment, but from the adverts in the hotel there did seem to be a wide varitey, Chineses acrobats, singers etc...
it was very loud and although we wern't actually in bed at this time it went on till well atfer midnight which could be a problem for families with young children.

CHILDREN:
The hotel seemed very child friendly there was a 'Kidzone' club for 3-12 year olds which had various activites and a mini-disco everynight, there were highchairs in the restaurant and a seperate kids pool.

RECEPTION:
The reception is 24hours and there was always 2 security men there at night as well. The staff at the hotel ( reception, bar staff, waiters and cleaners) were all very friendly and helpful.
You can hire bikes out from reception for only 6 euros for 2 hours which I would recomend doing as you can ride all along the promenade.

There was a good mix of English, French, German, Italian and Spanish people at the hotel. All the staff are fluent in English but love it if you speak a little Spanish to them ( Gracias, Hola, Coma Estas... etc.. it's not hard to do so and I think it's much more courteous when you are in their country!)

PRICES:
Booking through Thompson Skytours it cost me and my boyfriend £359 each for a week from 1st July to 8th July. This was on a half board basis. I think the hotel is good value for money becasue of it's superb location and high quality food.

Overall I would rate my stay at the hotel 9/10 ( as theres always room for improvement) it's rated as a 3 start hotel personally I would rate it as a 4 star, we didn't want to leave and would stay there again. 

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