I want to start by sating that this review was not part of a press trip my friend and I booked this for a 4 night child free break, which also means I can’t include a child’s point of view in our review but as two mums with 6 kids between us we feel pretty confident we can cover the basis anyway! So here is our review of the Ponient Dorada Palace hotel in Salou.
The rooms
We booked a twin room but when we arrived we were told we had been upgraded so instead of two single beds we had two doubles which was a nice surprise. The room itself was nice and clean and was big enough for the two of us but would have been a squeeze for 4 people as there was not alot of floor space left after putting two double beds in there. The bathroom was also clean and had everything we needed even if it was a little dated.
Our room was on the second floor and came with a balcony with a view of the main pool, which was nice and we didn’t have any issue with noise day or night either form inside or outside of the hotel.
Overall the rooms were clean and had everything we needed and worked as a base for our break away but if you are planning on coming with two adults and two children for more than a week I would suggest booking a bigger room as this would be too small.
The three pools
There are 3 pools at Ponient Dorada Palace but we only used two of them. The main was is in an ideal location for the bar, snack bar and the general activities going on throughout the day, especially for the kids. It’s a relatively good size and is great for kids.
However, we went in September and the pool was pretty cold, not too cold to use but not inviting either so we only used it once or twice for short periods of time.
We did notice though that the area was always clean and there are plenty of sunbeds and although it did get busy there was never a time we couldn’t get a bed if we wanted one.
The second pool we used was the adults only pool, which isn’t surprising consodering we were on holiday without our children for the first time ever! This pool is up on the roof and to be honest it feels like a completely separate hotel. The views of Salou from the roof top were lovely and it was really quiet most days, making it the perfect spot to relax with a cocktail and a good book.
The pool up here is small but great for cooling off and doing the odd little length but not really a swimming pool more a relaxing pool. There are also two Jacuzzi’s. These were great although very popular so unless you wanted to share with another couple you did have to hover and wait for your turn but once in it was worth the wait. Again there were always loads of bed available up there and we never had a problem finding somewhere to sit.
The only issues we had with the roof top area was
- The bar is not included in the all inclusive which seems ridiculous to me. You wither have to go all the way down tot he other bar and bring your drinks up or buy drinks up here.
- The door doesn’t always open, even with the key card so you find yourself stuck on the other side waiting for someone to either leave so you can pass them in the door or someone to notice and let you in. Not an ideal situation.
There is also a gym on the roof terrace and although we didn’t use it we did have a quick look and we were not impressed. It looked dirty and dated and not inviting at all but if you really want to work out on holiday then it did have some free weights and a few machines, so it is possible.
Food
The buffet restaurant offers a wide range of choices, from Mediterranean staples to international crowd-pleasers. Breakfast is particularly impressive, think fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, and plenty of options for kids. While the buffet can get busy during peak times, the staff handled the flow well, and the variety means even picky eaters won’t go hungry.
The snack bar is open during the day and this was also popular and had a good variety from pizza to fruit pots. There are no food options on the roof so if you’re spending the day up there you do eed to come back down to eat.
Entertainment
We were not big fans of the evening entertainment. We did notice that there was always a kids disco which lasted about 15 minuets and then something else but it all felt very amateurish and we didn’t hang around long.
Staff
The staff at Dorada Palace were friendly, efficient, and helpful. The atmosphere throughout the hotel is relaxed and welcoming although some evenings there seemed to be very few bar staff considering how busy it was which meant big queues did form.
Location of Ponient Dorada Palace
The location of the Ponient Dorada Palace is one of the best things about his hotel and a huge selling point in my opinion. It is just a 5 minute walk from the town with lots of shops, bars, restaurants and activities for children including arcades and a fair yet far enough away that you do not hear any noise day or night.
If you walk just a few more minutes you will be at beach where you can spend the day or just a few hours but it’s location meand you can easily nip back to the hotel for lunch if you want to or carry your stuff down for the day without to much hassle.
And of course the Ponient Dorada Palace is part of PortAventura World which means it is only a short stroll away but again it is still far enough away that when in the hotel you don’t hear any noise from the rides or the park itself.
If you are lookig for a hotel that is near lots of amenities and you like to leave the hotel and wander round and explore then this is a great area to stay in.
Things to know before you book Ponient Dorada Palace
Hidden costs – If you arrive early and cant check in or depart late and need to check out before your airport run then you can leave your bags in the luggage area in lockers for approximately £8 each. The lockers fit one suitcase in so this can get expensive for a family. Alternatively you can leave them in reception but no one is looking after them!
Strict pool rules – You can not wear sunglasses (or normal glasses) in the pool unless you have the string attachment that keeps them from falling off. This rule is not explained when you book but is definitely enforced when you are there in all three pools, even if you are explain you are unable to see without your glasses!
Basic rooms – there are no kettle or tea/coffee-making facilities in the room.
Overall we had a wonderful time in Salou and would return to the area. The Ponient Dorade worked as a good base for us, it was clean, convenient and we really enjoyed the adult only roof top area. However, unless you get a good deal and are happy to entertain yourselves and your children or want to leave the hotel regularly you may find that the rooms are small and the entertainment is lacking.
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