Enough about the sad, again, this does not concern the hotel itself.
I really liked the hotel. The location is just wonderful, we walked a lot around the area and did not see a better place. The rooms are small, but comfortable, everything is there and everything works properly. Room cleaning is normal, towels and sheets are changed, shampoos and other updates. Register in advance via the Internet on the BEST HOTELS website, print out their card, and upon presentation, you will receive a free safe in the room and some other goodies. The only negative of the rooms is the soundproofing, which simply does not exist. And if for nine nights the neighbors were calm and quiet, then on the last night a hot young Spanish couple moved into the next room and the silence ended. But, our happiness, it was the last night for us. Our room overlooked the neighboring building of this hotel and the main entrance to our building, the sea was visible from the balcony. The air conditioning in the hotel is central and worked fine. The heat was gone and we slept at night with the balcony open. Wifi is free and works well, especially in the reception area. We never swam in the pool, although there are always a lot of people near it. We went to the beach to the right of the hotel 400-500 meters. There is sand and a good entrance to the sea, plus a toilet, shower, etc. There are also sun loungers with umbrellas, but after finding out the price, we went to the supermarket, bought a beach umbrella for 8.5 euros and calmly sunbathed on the sand on our towels. The sea is clean, even with a wave the water remains clear. The beach is cleaned in the morning, there are trash cans everywhere. There is always enough space, whenever you come, you will always find a place to settle down.
We took all inclusive meals and did not regret it. After looking at how many people who do not have “all inclusive”, pay extra for lunch and dinner for drinks, we realized the benefits of AI. Almost every day there is a theme evening dedicated to one or another cuisine (Mexican, Chinese, Spanish, etc. ). Friday is seafood day, there was a lot of things, including crabs. Mussels in different types every day. There are a lot of fish and different ones, in the evening they also cook on the grill. Jamon was, if not every day, then often. Sausages - and very good ones - are in stock all the time, and on the day of Spanish cuisine - a full house. Daily for dinner dishes from the chef (turkey, piglet, pork side, etc. ), which the chef cuts in the middle of the hall and distributes to everyone. Large selection of cheeses, lovers can amuse themselves. Fruits were plentiful (pineapple, apples, pears, oranges, kiwis, etc. ). The most amazing thing was that there were no grapes at all, although August is the best time. Ice cream is always in the fridge in the restaurant hall. There are a lot of pastries and different ones, for every taste. The feature of the hotel is champagne for breakfast, in the middle of the hall there is a table with bottles and glasses, pour and drink as much as you want. Bars have a good selection of drinks. My wife and I are not fans of this, but in the evening after a walk, martinis and Baileys - with pleasure. The beer is good. So food - deserved "five plus".
Excursions are best taken at the Bus Plana store next to the hotel - much cheaper than hotel guides, and the service is very good. We went with them on a sightseeing tour to Barcelona, we liked it, we saw everything we wanted to see. We went to Taragona ourselves. Walked, went shopping. Getting there is easy - we went to a stop, waited for the right one (the route is clearly written on the buses) and drove off. If you take a ticket from the driver, then 2.5 euros, if you are going to travel a lot, buy a card at the Bus Plana store, it will be cheaper (everything will be explained in the store in Russian). We walked to Salou, about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. We did not go to Port Aventura, we left it for the future, when we arrive with our grandchildren.
Now for the shops. For things, in my opinion, it is best to go to Taragona in the PARK CENTER. It is located about 500 meters from the bus station, on the right side, you won't miss it. A good range of brands and taxis can be issued. We bought everything we wanted. The grocery supermarket closest to the hotel is MICHELANGELO, about 15 minutes walk, from the bus stop to the right to the ring, there to the left and look at the sign to the left, third or fourth street. On the way there will be a small shop with the inscription "Supermarket", this is not it. If you go on an excursion to Barcelona, then all excursions end with a walk along Plaza Catalunya and from it along the Ramble street after 300 meters is CARREFOUR. Everything is here - both the prices and the assortment (especially jamon) are just super.
In general, the rest was a success, I liked the hotel, I recommend it to doubters.
General information:
Wi-Fi bp, safe bp, refrigerator bp.
Animation for both adults and children.
Spa 5 euros 4 hours.
Kettle 3 euros per day, deposit 10 euros.
There was no renovation for a long time. There are Russian speaking staff.
Observations:
We dine in it.
The first line, but the coast is rocky.
The rooms are spacious, clean, tidy, the beds are large.
Everywhere balconies, but there are more and less.
Gym bp.
There is a spa.
For lunch: everything is delicious, there is beef, strawberries with cream. Delicious.
Seafood had shrimp salads
Despite the fact that there was no renovation for a long time, it does not smell of "junk". Clean, comfortable.
Hotel pros
Inspected with colleagues as part of a promotional tour 05/18/2019
Vf bp, safe bp, refrigerator bp.
Animation for both adults and children.
Spa 5 euros 4 hours.
Kettle 3 euros per day, deposit 10 euros.
There was no renovation for a long time. There are Russian speaking staff.
We dine in it.
The first line, but the coast is rocky.
The rooms are spacious, clean, tidy, the beds are large.
Everywhere balconies, but there are more and less.
Gym bp.
For lunch: everything is delicious, there is beef, strawberries with cream. Delicious.
From seafood there were salads with shrimps.
The only thing you could complain about was the food for four stars, I wanted more. Comparing with other four-star hotels, the food is a solid four.
We rested in April, the sea was still cold, so we didn’t swim, but the temperature is the most suitable to sunbathe comfortably. In general, Spain in April-May is the most pleasant.
I'll write what I didn't like.
1. Descent to the beach - broken steps, if you are with a child, it is problematic to go down.
2. Tea for dinner 3 euros. Tea in a bag, brewed in a cup.
3. Animation.
4. The hotel is located far from the center of Salou.
5. The hotel is boring.
We took a little about the excursions from the TEZ TOUR - Barcelona panoramic, Montserrat, PortAventura, Knightly Tournament.
1. Didn't like the overview of Barcelona. The tour includes a viewing platform - 20 min. Spanish Village - 15 min. a story about the village, then they took me to a wine and jamon tasting, the guide said that it’s better to buy in this store, we tried sangria, we really liked it, we bought it, BUT upon arrival we opened wine, and there a completely different taste, you could buy in salou, but much cheaper. Further, the Sagrada Familia was not brought inside. And the final stop BIG SHOPPING CENTER was left for 2 hours 30 minutes. They didn't tell me where to go or what to see. It is better to go to Barcelona on your own, you can see the pain.
2. Monserrat - I liked it.
3. Knightly tournament - wasted money, saved the situation - flamenco.
4. "PortAventura" - supper. - interesting for both adults and children.
I liked it very much in Spain, I will come back again, but I will choose a hotel closer to the center.
We advise you to ride a Jeep Safari, you won't regret it!!!!!
If you go to CLUB PACHA, try the MOJITO - it's class!!!
In general, I advise everyone who goes to rest, you will not regret it !!!
Do not forget the rights at home, car rental 38 euros, the roads are cool, there is something to see. . .
Dare. . . ))))))
After Turkey, the sluggishness of the waiters caught my eye - in the middle of breakfast or dinner, about half of the tables were not cleaned. If there are not enough waiters, hire more.
I remember that in Turkey there was a whole detachment of waiters, they flew like meteors, before the shift they received a “stick” from the manager - as a result, with a much larger number of vacationers, almost all tables were removed. Here, the waiters are imposing in a European way - as much as they have time, so much to eat. We carry dirty dishes from the tables ourselves. Not annoying, just a fact.
As for the cleaning in the room - I would not say that it is perfect. Hair on the sink, dust and debris in the corners, do not reach the balcony at all. Grannies clean up, the quality does not depend on the availability and size of the tip. Oh, and one more thing - there are carpets in the corridors, but there are no vacuum cleaners, they are cleaned with brushes - therefore, there is a persistent smell of old dust in the corridor.
The weather wasn't particularly lucky, but it's probably because of the cold spring and summer of 2012. The air temperature is 23-25 degrees, the sea is cold even in mid-June (when we arrived, there was generally a strong wind and very cold water washed ashore - probably 16 degrees). It's 21 now, people are swimming.
Near the hotel, a pipe with a diameter of 40 centimeters enters the sea. First it goes underground, then it goes under water for 30 meters, then again underground. Where it goes is not clear. Looks a lot like a sewer. Here one review was also about her, the author even noticed the smell and asked the hotel staff about her. The hotel staff will never "split" and will pretend to hear it for the first time. Otherwise, they will not have guests! And sending it to the municipality is equivalent to sending 3 letters.
On the beach next to the hotel there is a shower, in front of the hotel there is a faucet for washing feet. There are no dressing rooms, let alone toilets. The sea near the shore is shallow for quite a long time, in order to go up to the chest you need to walk about 50 meters. The sand is very fine and pleasant, but there is clearly not enough space on the beach for everyone.
The shortcomings of a beach holiday were compensated by excursions. 2 for in PortAventura - the most vivid impressions.
This year, a high roller coaster - Shambhala - was opened, it is very breathtaking, especially for the first time. The second time is already normal, instead of fear - pleasure. Queues for the main attractions - an average of half an hour. Good performances. Recommend. Through the Tez-tour, tickets are 2 days cheaper than in Porto itself - an adult costs 54 euros, a child - 44. Children - up to 10 years old.
We went on a panoramic tour to Barcelona with a visit to the singing fountains. Barcelona is a typical European city, of course, it has its sights. There are a lot of tourists, right in crowds they go along the beaten routes. We went with Plana, they are cheaper than the Tez-Tour, with the same quality. As already noted in one of the reviews, it is better not to take a survey, but to go to Barcelona on your own and buy Bus Turistik. Our tour turned out to be a "gallop across Europe", there is a time limit everywhere, almost nothing is visible from the bus (one joy is air conditioning).
Our guide "broadcast" only on the bus and gave instructions on how not to get lost and not to be late. Near the Sagrada Familia, I let go around the cathedral, there was no time to go inside (yes, there are decent queues all the time). We were lucky - about halfway through the "bypass" we stuck to another group with a guide in Russian, we listened to a very interesting story about the cathedral and how it was built and is being built.
Beautiful town - Taragona. There are remains of Roman buildings - a forum, an amphitheater, etc. The only thing that alerted me was the presence of a large chemical plant in front of it. But the pipes did not seem to smoke, they did not spoil the air. I don’t know what they are doing there, I only saw that it was divided into several sectors by various companies.
YES, and what's even worse - there are no water sports here in Negresco. NOTHING! That is, it's just a hotel. And I have seen much better European 4-star hotels - with fresh juices for breakfast, and with a varied menu, and with more friendly staff.
Yes, I almost forgot - why 4 teztur. When we arrived at the airport, the meeting person could not immediately find our bus, he drove all the tourists around the airport - first in one direction, then in the other. With bags and kids.
Regarding the Russian-speaking girl at the hotel reception (I think her name is Natalya). Attitude towards customers at the scoop level, as if they do not have to serve us for our money, but we owe them something. Came up with some question, she, despite the fact that she saw that I was waiting, started a long conversation in Spanish with another manager. After waiting a couple of minutes, I went to the other end of the bar to look at the advertisement. After a couple more minutes, she began to make signs to me - like, where am I and what I wanted. I said, "You're busy, so I left. " Instead of an apology, I heard - "Yes, I'm busy, I had to finish the issue with the previous client, but can't you wait? ". If it was just - "I'm sorry, I'm listening to you" - everything would be fine.
But then "Ostap suffered. " I expressed my claims to her that it is possible to talk with a colleague even when clients are not waiting, in response I heard a lot more about "Russian tourists", that "for some reason, foreigners are meekly waiting, but our rights are being pumped. " Apparently, I was not the first to remark to her.
I noticed that anyone can come into the hotel and bask around the pool. I saw several times how couples drive up to the hotel by car, hang out by the pool (not at all big), then leave. There is no control from the hotel.
Salou is a pleasant town, there are quite a lot of people on the central streets, but where there is a walk, especially young people.
On Sundays, there is a market near Taragona - a flea market plus a fruit and vegetable market. The Plana bus goes there every 15-30 minutes. We bought fruits there - very cheaply (peaches, apricots, cherries - 2 kg for 3 euros), there is wine, oil, olives, smoked meats and all kinds of other fruits.
Of the things, nothing special, mostly china and cheap local, mostly Arab women swarm around the collapses "everything for 2-3-5 euros".
Conclusion - everyone who tunes in to an all inclusive beach holiday like Turkish, Spain will not like it. Here the service is not so efficient, in addition you will need to spend quite a lot of money - for excursions, food, drinks, entertainment.
The hotel consists of two buildings, which are separated by a small road. The rooms are quite spacious for Spain. I advise everyone who will book rooms in this hotel not to be stingy and choose a sea view. As it is stated that the standard rooms face a pine grove, well, this is not entirely true. Under the window we had three pines and that's it... I wouldn't call it a grove. . We wanted to pay extra and change to a room with a sea view, but at the reception they said that all the rooms are occupied and they won’t be able to change us. I had to stay with a view of the "grove". ))) In the room, the TV shows the first channel, I can’t say that it’s good ...it’s okay, comedians are constantly shown on the second Russian channel, but it’s almost impossible to watch it, because it ripples a lot.
On many sites I saw it was written that the refrigerator was paid, but it was not so that the refrigerator could be used completely free of charge. Safe in the room for a fee, you can rent it by paying at the reception.
The food is top notch. We took 2 meals a day (breakfast, dinner). Pancakes and scrambled eggs were prepared for breakfast, there were always several types of sausage and cheese. Various pastries, a lot of fruits (apples, plums, melon, watermelon, peaches and nectarines, etc. ). Several types of juices, and you could make yourself tea or coffee (in a coffee machine).
For dinner there was always an abundance of both meat and fish. A separate table was set every day either with different varieties of sausage and meat (including their national jamon and dry-cured sausage), or cheese (starting with ordinary varieties and ending with blue cheese). There was always a very rich sweet table, jelly, and they also gave ice cream. I want to note that at dinner all drinks are paid!
And compared to the prices in the supermarket differ by an order of magnitude! ! !
Not far from the hotel there are supermarkets where, if desired, you can buy juice and water, and a lot of other tasty things.
The beach is very close to the hotel. In Spain, all the beaches are municipal, so sunbeds and umbrellas are for a fee. in shops you can buy a mat for 3 euros and an umbrella for 9 euros. In fact, most tourists do just that. Since the beach is municipal, I won’t say that it is very clean ...we saw that they clean it in the mornings, but it’s still dirty and there are a lot of ants!
The hotel has a decent pool, sunbeds by the pool are free, but why a pool if there is such a wonderful sea ! ! !
I would like to commend the hotel staff. Very friendly, both at the reception and the waiters. The front desk is always trying to help. They know Russian very poorly, mostly they speak English.
Of the Russian-speaking staff, only two people at the reception, the girl Oksana and the young man did not remember the name. If problems arise, they can be found, as I blamed, depending on the duty, either in the first or second building.
Have a good rest!