UHC Salou Pacific Apartments

We arrived to find a dirty mop in the wardrobe. There were no towels, so we paid €2 each to rent them, and the room had no kettle and just one toilet roll. We had to leave everything clean ourselves, and there was no room cleaning during the stay, which I think might cost extra. The website also gives a misleading picture of the facilities: the restaurant is shared with another hotel, and although it shows bars and games, you have to go to that other hotel and pay for anything you order, even with a full-board package. Staff wouldn't let us take two croissants away, we had to eat them there or throw them out. The beach is a 15 minute walk, despite how close it looks in the website photos. We were charged a €200 breakage deposit on arrival, supposedly returned 5-7 days after checkout. Check-in wasn't allowed before 5pm, though they offered it after 2pm for €10, while checkout was before 10am. It makes no sense. I know this is two-star accommodation, but the website can't be trusted. Do not go.

The staff were warm, quick to respond and happy to help, which made a good impression. The hotel felt comfortable, and although the rooms looked dated, they were clean and worked fine. My £200 deposit came back promptly the day after checkout. Noise from other guests made it harder to relax sometimes. I probably wouldn't choose to stay again, mostly because of my own preferences, but the friendly service and pleasant atmosphere make it a reasonable place for a short visit.

For my first trip travelling alone, I just needed somewhere affordable for three nights, and the apartment was clean and suited me fine. The view wasn't great, with other apartments directly across from the balcony. Maybe some rooms have better views, but I don't know. The €200 damage deposit surprised me, and I thought it was high. They only accepted card, not cash. I explained I was on my own and wasn't planning a wild few days, but they wouldn't consider it. I think they should lower that fee. For what I paid, it did the job.

We used the washing machines and dryer a few times. A wash cost €5 and held a big load. There are plenty of shops, supermarkets and places to eat just outside, and it's only a couple of streets from the end of the main strip. The airport bus stops right outside, and the PortAventura bus is a five-minute walk away. There wasn't food or a bar on site because The Beer Garden was being renovated, but we found enough nearby. We'd just returned from a week in two rooms. The building was being renovated, though it didn't disrupt us. These are basic self-contained apartments, not a hotel, and they reminded me of Greece 30 years ago. We paid about €40 tourist tax for three adults and a child. I knew about the €200 deposit, and it was back in my account the day after we got home. I brought my own travel kettle after reading you could hire one. There were only four hand towels, so bring your own, but plenty of bedding and spare sheets. We had to clean before leaving, with a mop, bucket and brush provided, and buy anything else we needed. There were no toiletries. Checkout was 10am, or €20 to stay until 1pm and €30 until 3pm. The patio doors kept outside noise down. We could hear our sons through the wall in the next room, and they could hear us, though none of us were loud. Our room faced residential apartments, with the occasional noisy dog or cat. Heating, air conditioning and the TV all worked fine, with a few English channels. We didn't get Wi-Fi until the last day because we hadn't realised it was available. Ask at arrival for the device codes, it worked very well in the rooms. There are no toilets at reception or by the pool. On departure day, staff let me use a hotel room toilet after asking a manager, though I know another family was refused. Most staff only said hello if I greeted them first, apart from one lovely woman. For what we paid, I didn't mind the stay, but being friendly costs nothing.