In a restrained Europe, not every place is to the liking of a wide Russian nature. Most of our compatriots prefer to relax in hot resorts, where not only a great sea and clean beaches, but life is in full swing all day. One such place is Spain. It is located in the south-west of Europe and is considered by its climatic conditions one of the warmest and most favorable countries. Among Russians, the popularity of Spanish resorts is incredibly high. And this is not surprising, because there is a high-class European service, sandy beaches, many of which are marked with the Blue Flag for cleanliness and comfort, extensive excursion programs - not every tourist country has such an impressive list of advantages.
general information
Holidays in Spain are suitable for everyone: families with children come here, as well as large companies, and romantic couples. Almost every resort in this country boasts dozens or even hundreds of excellent beach areas. One of these tourist centers is the Costa Dorada. Spain annually receives nearly one hundred million tourists. Almost a quarter of them prefer to relax in the south of Catalonia.
This is where this world-famous resort is located - Costa Dorada (Spain). The southern part of Catalonia is known for a rather long tourist season. Mountains surrounding the Costa Dorada protect the resort from winds blowing from the mainland. In summer, the temperature here does not rise above +34 ⁰. Costa Dorada has many excellent beaches with clean fine sand and a convenient gentle entry into the water. Translated from Spanish, the name of the resort means "Gold Coast".
Salou
Costa Dorada stretches one hundred and forty kilometers west of Barcelona. One of the reasons why whole families come here with pleasure is the largest amusement park in Southern Europe called Port Aventura. Young people are attracted to numerous clubs and discos, and history buffs are given the opportunity to get acquainted with the monuments of the Middle Ages and the Roman era. The tourist capital of the Costa Daurada is considered the province of Salou, located two hours from Barcelona. The wide and clean beaches of this resort stretch for eight kilometers from north to south, from Cape La Pineda to the city of Cambrils. Along the coast, beautiful promenade walkways are equipped. There are also numerous shops and bars, restaurants, cafes. The light and music fountain in Salou is considered the most beautiful on the entire coast.
Most hotels in this Spanish resort town are located on the first line of the sea. They suit any category of vacationers. One of the relatively inexpensive hotels in Salou is considered California Garden 3 *.
Hotel services and infrastructure
The popularity of the Spanish resort of Salou is growing annually. It has excellent tourist infrastructure, clear sea and good climatic conditions. Therefore, in high season, hotels are crowded. California Garden 3 * is located in the city center.
Barcelona is one hundred and ten kilometers away. A 20-minute walk from the hotel is the “Spanish Disneyland” - “Port Aventura”. Around there are many shops, shopping centers and entertainment venues. The hotel was built in 1986. Since then, its buildings have been repeatedly reconstructed, the territory was completely landscaped. Guests are offered excellent service, excellent food, a variety of animation programs. The beach is only three hundred and fifty meters. Most of the region's attractions are located near California Garden 3 *. Salou is a real paradise for shoppers, so hotel guests can walk to the many shops and boutiques of the resort on foot. The last major renovation was carried out in 2017. Many travel agencies offer their clients California Garden 3 * for inexpensive holidays in Spain.
Service
Specialists in the tourism industry advise: when buying a tour to a three-star hotel, you should not make excessively large demands on the level of services provided. California Garden 3 * is no exception in this regard. The hotel infrastructure is fully consistent with the declared category. The reception is open around the clock in the administrative block.
Here you can hand over things to a dry-cleaner or a laundry, call a taxi, send / receive a fax. There is also an office for the sale of air and railway tickets, there is a rental point for bicycle and motor vehicles, a tour desk. The hotel has its own small parking, reservation in advance is not required. Guests can exchange currency directly at California Garden 3 *.
Description of rooms
In size, this hotel is considered large. It consists of two seven-story buildings. In total, California Garden 3 * offers 469 standard rooms, designed for one to four people. The rooms are renovated in a Mediterranean style in calm pastel colors. Their area is twenty-two square meters. m
The furnishings in the rooms contribute to a relaxing, trouble-free stay. The furniture is new, the plumbing works fine. Bathrooms are combined, there is a bath or shower. The hotel is open all year. All its space is air-conditioned and heated. The rooms have satellite TV, pay-safe, minibar and internet. Ceramic tiles on the floor. In front of the rooms there are balconies with a plastic table and chairs. Bed linen is changed at the hotel every three days, more often on request. Towels and hygiene items are updated daily.
Nutrition
Foodies are well aware that Catalonia is a paradise for them. Indeed, the cuisine of this region, like the Spanish as a whole, is incredibly tasty. And despite the low category of the California Garden 3 * hotel, the food in it is up to standard. This is evidenced by the reviews of many vacationers. According to customers, on a ten-point system, meals in this hotel are rated at a solid nine. This indicates not only the quality of the products, but also the taste variety.
California Garden 3 * provides food for all existing concepts, including the "full board". Guests have at their disposal a cozy large restaurant with a terrace, where they are served not only Mediterranean, but also international cuisine according to the "buffet" system. The hotel also has a piano bar and poolside café. Vacationers in Salou, including the California Garden 3 * hotel, should take into account one peculiarity: if for breakfast literally all drinks - juices, coffee, etc. are given free of charge, then during lunch and dinner customers have to pay even for plain water .
Beach
The downside of many city hotels in Salou is their some remoteness from the sea. No exception, and located in the center of the resort California Garden 3 *. The beach is six hundred meters distant. But this does not “bother” holidaymakers at all, since the road to the sea, which takes only fifteen minutes at leisurely pace, passes by numerous shops and cafes.
The beach is sandy. This municipal bathing area is the largest in Salou. A beach with a gentle entrance to the sea is perfect for relaxing small children.
Services for children
On the territory of the California Garden 3 * hotel you can always meet children. The smallest visitors are offered a very wide range of services. There is a small playground, pool, games room. Kids really enjoy the entertainment programs provided by the animators. In the restaurant you can get high chairs, as well as order a children's menu. On request, a rollaway bed is available in the rooms.
Entertainment
Guests staying at the hotel can participate in animation and evening shows free of charge. There is no need to pay for a petanque or a game of darts. Twice a week, the hotel organizes professional shows.
Paid entertainments are mini-golf, visiting the gym, massage room, renting a table and equipment for playing billiards, as well as tennis courts. Slot machines work with tokens, which can be purchased from a receptionist.
Additional Information
In California Garden 3 *, the following rules apply: check-in is scheduled for noon, and check out for ten in the morning. Subject to availability, the reception can be renewed on request until six in the evening. Clients receive restaurant hours during check-in. Upon request, guests can get a packed lunch. The next day you need to order the service at the reception in advance: until seven in the evening.
sights
Salou has become a popular resort among tourists since the seventies of the last century. And there are many reasons. Firstly, this resort is located near cities such as Reus and Tarragona, which have many attractions. Secondly, in Salou itself, the most visited is the Port Aventura amusement park.
It is considered the largest in Spain and the sixth most visited in the list of European theme parks. It is really very interesting here. “Port Aventura” is geographically divided into several zones.
By train, you can get to Barcelona - one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The ticket costs 8.8 euros (628 rubles).
Those who do not wish to go outside the hotel can spend time at the outdoor pool. Around there are free sunbeds and umbrellas, a cafe. During the cold season, the hotel has an indoor pool.
Reviews
You can also relax in the Costa Dorada and in its best resort, Salou, in economy class. Indeed, even the category of “three stars” cannot become an obstacle in order to provide quality service to tourists. California Garden 3 * is no exception. Reviews of vacationers about living in it are mostly positive.
Cozy and clean rooms, delicious food, polite staff, convenient location in the city, the presence of animation, a sandy beach, the sea, many attractions, the proximity of Port Aventura Park - all these advantages are noted by our compatriots. In general, with regard to nutrition, Russians leave only good reviews: everything is very satisfying, there are a lot of delicious fruits, the waiters work very efficiently. And one more thing: those who lived according to the concept of “full board” separately celebrate dinners, during which seafood is often served. An amusement park can be reached in just twenty minutes. The rooms have new plumbing, everything works, nothing leaks anywhere.
The Russians left a lot of enthusiastic reviews about the resort itself. Salou is a place where you can really relax comfortably. Amazing sea, golden sand on the municipal beach, which is always cleaned up, friendly Catalans - all this was very pleasant for tourists.
Of the minuses, our compatriots note paid internet, a not always clean pool, a small area of rooms and poor soundproofing.