Aparthotel Dorada Palace

Review date: 14 October 2009 - A HotelStreet visitor from Huddersfield wrote:-

Review title: "Hotel Nice But Staff Totally Rubbish"
Travel date: October 2009
The hotel itself is quite new, clean and well maintained. The pool is lovely and the entertainment is Ok. There is a problem though - the staff. The reception staff look at you like dirt and are about as friendly as a fist in the face. Your experience of Spanish hospitality start when you check in and one of the front desk charmers states 'you need to pay 100 euros cash!' Very welcoming after a long journey. A deposit for a pre-paid self catering apartment? I have travelled fairly widely and it's the first time I have come across this.

I made the mistake of asking one evening whether wi-fi access was available in the rooms (not unreasonable as it seems to be available pretty much everywhere these days - my holiday to a fairly remote area of Kos earlier in the year provided it free of charge). Unfortunately the helpful chappie behind the desk was busy reading his newspaper when I approached and decided he was not going to look up until he was good and ready. I politely enquired about wi-fi access to which he barked 'no!' and immediately looked down at his paper again. Lovely!

Even though we paid extra for a late check out (6 p.m.), our room key was disabled at 10.00 a.m. and when I eventually made it to the front of the long reception queue and explained the situation, my key was snatched off me updated on the computer and thrust back, no explanation and no apology (not that at this stage I was expecting anything more).

Check out is equally as bad as check in as they radio to one of their colleagues who goes to check your room before they will return your deposit. Be warned they are in no hurry to do this so don't leave it until the last minute to check out. Also they charge you 1.50 euros to look after your cases - bit picky perhaps as it's not a fortune but I have never been charged for this anywhere before. To have a TV remote control you have to pay a deposit, to get a safe deposit box key not only do you have to pay for the time you need it, but again they want a deposit.

Bar staff, with the exception of one, were the most miserable bunch I have ever seen. I appreciate that bar work is hard and not particularly enjoyable but they are dealing with people trying to enjoy their holiday - would it kill them to crack a smile occasionally?

In the restaurant drinks are not included in the price of the meal, fair enough I guess, but wine is only available by the bottle so if there is only one of your party on wine then make sure they are pretty thirsty as you will be paying ten euros for a four euro bottle of wine.

Whilst the hotel is only about ten minutes walk from the beach, you need to cross some pretty busy main roads to get there so take care as stopping at red lights seems to be optional for some drivers. Salou itself is nice, the beach is beautiful and I have to say the weather for October was glorious.

The kids' club reps seemed excellent (they work for First Choice) and the children loved them. On the whole, would I go back to Salou? Yes. Would I stay again at the Costa Dorada Palace? Not if they paid me!

Review date: 18 August 2009 - A HotelStreet visitor from N. Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "It Was Just OK"
Travel date: August 2009
We stayed at the Dorada Palace for one week from 5.8.09 to 12.8.09. We had to wait until 2 p.m. for check in and pay 100 euros, even though we were half board. The drinks were very costly in the dining room at night time (three kids with us). Food was just hotel food and we were able to choose something every night. This hotel's evening entertainment was rubbish and we went out every night.

Review date: 28 September 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Birmingham wrote:-

Review title: "Great Hotel"
Travel date: September 2008
The hotel is very clean and is cleaned on most days and towels every two. The room is a good size as there were only three of us.

Food was nice - good variety. The location is good - on a side street but minutes walk from bars and clubs etc. and five from the beach.

Dorada Palace hotel is big and beautiful and is four star. Staff are a bit slow but most hotels/apartments that are four star around the area seem clean and tidy.

Review date: 16 July 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Dorada Palace - What A Lovely Place To Be At"
Travel date: June 2008
The Dorada Palace is a great hotel - very clean, food very good and plenty and no hanging about for long when they run out as it is replaced very quickly. Plenty for kids - bit dear for Slush and drinks for kids.

Plenty of entertainment. The staff work very hard at it. The only thing is, come 12.30 at night, the manager is running about telling people to drink up. Very funny to go on holiday and be told to drink up so there are no lager louts waking up people. We will be going back next year. Worth the money and it is near everything.

Review date: 14 September 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Amazing!"
Travel date: September 2007
Loved it! Food was amazing, adult only swimming pool and gym lovely! Staff were very friendly! Theme park walking distance away! All in all an amazing holiday. Will definiately go back to the Dorada Palace!

Review date: 21 April 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Loved It!"
Travel date: July 2007
Dorada Palace was brilliant. Loved every minute of it. Great food and entertainment. Met loads of new people, all very nice.

Only thing is if you want a good place to sit in the sun you have to queue up early in the morning or else there will be no sunbeds left but overall lovely family hotel and would strongly recommend it!

Review date: 28 July 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Manchester wrote:-

Review title: "Rubbish"
Travel date: July 2007
Absolute rubbish. On the doorstep of a main road but the added bonus is you can count ambulances when you are bored.

Food was rubbish, staff were rubbish. I would not recommend it. If this is four star, I'd hate to see anything less.

Review date: 10 July 2006 - A HotelStreet visitor from Essex wrote:-

Review title: "Well Worth The Money"
Travel date: July 2006
On arrival, the hotel looks great. The downside was, we couldn't check in till 2 p.m. and we arrived at 10 a.m. There is a place to put your luggage downstairs but costs one euro and when check in time came there was a massive queue and you have to pay 100 euros or £70 deposit, which you get back once you check out. They check your room before you leave so make sure you leave enough time for check out.

Once settled in, the hotel was very clean, the staff were very nice and a maid came to your room every day to change sheets and towels. The pool area is lovely and relaxing and there are three different pools, which is good for the overflow in the height of season. The only annoying thing was people would get up so early to put their towels on the sun loungers, go out for most of the morning, then come back in the afternoon and, hey presto, they have a sun lounger after the rest of us sat on a wall all day because there are no loungers.

All in all the hotel is fantastic and the resort is great lots of things to do.

Review date: 23 February 2006 - A HotelStreet visitor from Northern Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Fantastic!"
Travel date: August 2005
Dorada Palace was fantastic. I met lots of friends and everyone was really nice. The theme park was even better. A good tip here; go to the theme park at night during the week. During the day it is really busy and warm. I advise you to stay for the fireworks display at night at the theme park. It's amazing. It starts about 10:30 but you will need to be there at 9:15 to get a good seat.

The only bad thing about this hotel is if you come at 10:00 in the morning you can't get into your room until after two. So bring your swim suit in a separate bag. You will need to queue at the desk about 1:20 to get there first. The restaurant is lovely and cheap! Also, if you want a sun bed you will need to get up and out for about 9:00 a.m. Everything else was perfect.

Review date: 06 September 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Northern Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Excellent Hotel!"
Travel date: August 2005
Dorada Palace is a excellent hotel. It is a very clean and friendly place to stay in. I met lots of friends and had great fun.

The theme park is fantastic.Only bad thing about the hotel is, if you arrive early you are only allowed to check in at 2 o'clock.

Review date: 29 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Leicester wrote:-

Review title: "Salou/Dorada Palace Apartments"
Travel date: July 2005
Salou/Dorada Palace Apartments

1) Even if your flight arrives early (i.e. 10.00am in our case) you can't check in until 14.00pm! The queue starts forming in reception around 1.30pm! We recommend having a small bag with your beach/swimming stuff, store your suitcases in the basement (charge is one euro) and make the most of the facilities!

2) Be aware there is a 100 euro deposit required on arrival to cover any potential breakages. This is cash only!

3) Hotel beach towels can be hired for the week at reception for free.

4) There is a mad rush at 9.00am for sun beds and by 9.15am they are all gone! Either you wake up early or miss out!

5) Breakfast buffet for six euros is great and all you could possibly want (till lunchtime anyway!)

6) Dinner is a bit more formal (men to wear at least ¾ length trouser!) and costs 12 euros. We found the Italian night the best.

Review date: 09 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Leeds, England, UK wrote:-

Review title: "I Love It"
Travel date: June 2005
Hotel Dorada Palace was great. I loved waking up in the morning and looking out of my balcony and seeing people swimming in the pool and the waiters carrying drinks to people's tables. Also the waiters were really good with children. The waiters are absolutely great and some were also cute but I don't know their names. I liked the caterers as well. The mini disco was great at night. They think of great shows at night like acrobatics and magic shows.

You bet the weather was good as well. Every one was just friendly. I really cried when I had to go home and I would definitely recommend Dorada Palace. The games room was good as well because every body fights over the second pool table because it is only one euro and the others are two euros. I loved the songs they played at the mini disco.

I only have one bad comment, it is the pool, when little kids are dancing near the stage they could accidentally fall in but I am sure they have it all under control.

Review date: 01 February 2006 - A HotelStreet visitor from England wrote:-

Review title: "This Place Is Wicked!!!"
Travel date: June 2004
This was one of the best holidays I have been on. So good that we went again and now I'm going once again this year for the third time. It is in a great area as it is not far from the beach - about a ten minute walk and only 20 minutes to get to Port Aventura so saves you money on taxis. It is close to the shops and has a great atmosphere. The pool is a really nice size. We have recommended this holiday to friends and they loved it. The food and entertainment is wicked. You will really enjoy it. It isn't a loud place so you will get some nice sleep.