Salou's Pacific Paradise: Your Dream Rentalmar Vacation Awaits!
Salou's Pacific Paradise: My Dream Rentalmar Vacation…Or Was It?! (A Thoroughly Messy Review)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to drag you, kicking and screaming, through my stay at Salou's "Pacific Paradise" – or, as I came to affectionately call it, "The Place Where I Ate Too Many Croissants and Developed a Complex About My Swimsuit.". This isn't your average, polished travel blog drivel. This is the raw, honest, slightly neurotic truth. Prepare for some rambling, because honestly, remembering everything is a bit… much.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (Because, You Know, Important Stuff):
Getting there was a PAIN IN THE BUM. Seriously, finding the right airport transfer felt like a treasure hunt. Eventually, we arrived! The exterior looked… good. Mediterranean, you know? Clean lines, promising pools. And bless their hearts, the staff did seem genuinely friendly. Now, here's where things get interesting. Accessibility. That's always a huge thing for me, having a family member with mobility issues.
Accessibility: Okay, they claimed to be accessible. And, for the most part, they were. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Mostly check. Getting to the pool? Yep, ramps and paths. But, and this is a BIG but, one of the pool access points was… a bit dodgy. Steepish slope and slightly wonky pavers. Not a deal-breaker if you're, you know, able-bodied. But for my sister-in-law? Needed an escort. And the "accessible" rooms? Well, let's just say they tried. Larger bathroom, grab rails… but the shower design still felt a bit… clunky. Accessibility is definitely there, but it could be… better. I hope Rentalmar is listening!
Wheelchair accessible: See above. Lots of effort made, some areas excellent. Just keep an eye out for the little bumps and not-so-smooth transitions.
The Eternal Battle for WiFi (and My Sanity):
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is where the cracks started to appear. They promised free Wi-Fi in all rooms. They promised robust internet access. Ha! It worked… sporadically. Like, some days it was a glorious, speedy connection. Other days, I felt like I was back in the dial-up era! My husband, bless his soul, nearly had a coronary trying to work remotely. The LAN connection? Don't even get me started. Basically non-existent. So, if you're planning on relying on the internet for anything other than the occasional cat video, pack a LOT of patience.
The "Things to Do" Avalanche (Or, How I Tried to Relax and Almost Died of Boredom):
Okay, so they had a ton of stuff. Like, a virtual ocean of "things to do." And trust me, I attempted to do them all, some were great, some… less so.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Glorious! Beautiful! Loved it. The view was amazing, well maintained, and with lifeguards everywhere! Although, the poolside music was a bit… repetitive. "Macarena" on loop anyone?
- Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: The spa… was a highlight. Lovely, relaxing, all that jazz. I did a body scrub – felt like I was shedding a layer of stress. The sauna? Hot. Very hot. Almost too hot. I'm pretty sure I saw my eyelashes start to melt. The steam room was a delightful cloud.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I attempted the gym once. Once. It was functional, but the equipment looked like it had seen better days. Think, "rusty but reliable." I was more into eating croissants.
The Food: A Love-Hate Relationship (Mostly Love, Let's Be Honest):
Let's be real: the food is a huge part of any vacation. Right? Right. And Pacific Paradise… delivered. Most of the time.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Oh, the options! Restaurants galore! Restaurants, Buffet in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: The buffet was a chaotic but beautiful beast. Endless choices. Some delicious, some… questionable. The Asian cuisine restaurant was surprisingly delightful. I went back three times, mainly for the spring rolls. And the salad bar? Spectacular.
- Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast: The breakfast buffet was my kryptonite. Croissants? Check. Bacon? Check. Waffles? Double check. I swear, I gained five pounds just from the breakfast. The western breakfast was nothing but what you would expect.
- Poolside bar: Cocktails by the pool were a must-do. The "Pacific Paradise" (the cocktail, not the hotel) was ridiculously sugary, but perfect for a lazy afternoon. Happy hour was, well, happy.
- Room service [24-hour]: This was a lifesaver after a particularly long day of sunbathing.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: They had coffee. They had tea. They kept me caffeinated, and that's all that mattered.
- Snack bar: Convenient, but the quality varied.
Cleanliness, Safety & the COVID-19 Considerations (In The New Normal):
Honestly? They did a pretty good job.
- Cleanliness and safety: They really hammered home the cleaning.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services: Everywhere smelled of lemon-scented bleach. Maybe a little too much.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: All of the staff were really nice and genuinely seemed to be happy to take care of our requests..
- Hand sanitizer: Plenty of hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Safe dining setup: The dining setups were well planned.
- Individually-wrapped food options, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They put serious effort into keeping things safe.
- Masks: Required in common areas.
- Cashless payment service: Super convenient.
The Rooms: Comfy, But…:
- Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.: The rooms were… comfortable. Clean. Air conditioning worked a treat. The view was nice (we splurged on a sea view). The beds were comfy. The bathroom… functional. The “free” Wi-Fi in the room was… well, you know. See Internet section.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: A big plus for families, but book early!
For The Kids: A Paradise… or Just Lots of Activities?
- For the kids, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Babysitting service: The kids facilities were great! Pools, playgrounds, a kids' club… the works. My nieces and nephews had an absolute blast. The kids' meals were definitely a winner – chicken nuggets and chips, anyone? Babysitting service? Never used it, but good to know it was available.
Things I LOVED:
- The location. Close enough to the beach, far enough from the noisy streets.
- The spa. Seriously, heaven.
- The friendliness of the staff.
- The breakfast buffet (even though it nearly killed me).
- The overall atmosphere!
Things I Could Live Without:
- The dodgy Wi-Fi.
- The poolside music (please, no more Macarena!).
- The wonky pool access for those with mobility issues.
- Those extra pounds gained.
Final Verdict:
Would I go back to Salou's Pacific Paradise? Probably.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because my trip to Rentalmar Salou Pacific? It was a rollercoaster. More like a drunken, slightly rusty, but ultimately endearing amusement park ride. Here’s the messy, glorious, and entirely honest truth of my vacation.
Rentalmar Salou Pacific: The Unofficial Itinerary (aka, The Truth)
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
- Morning (because, who sleeps in on holiday? Ugh.): Landed in Barcelona. The airport? Pure chaos. Found my luggage eventually, after a minor internal meltdown. My Spanish is… okay. Turns out "Dónde está el baño?" is a universal language. Especially when you REALLY need to go.
- Afternoon: Taxi to Salou. The guy was friendly, but drove like he was late for a bullfight. Arrived at Rentalmar Salou Pacific. First impressions? The lobby smelled vaguely of chlorine and… optimism? Check-in went smoothly (thank God the free wifi worked). Room? Actually, not bad! Balcony overlooking the pool? Score! Except the pool was practically overflowing with screaming children, so maybe not that much of a score.
- Evening: The "First Meal" Mishap: Walked to the beach. Glorious. Saw the Mediterranean! Tried to find a restaurant. Ended up in what appeared to be a family-run place. The menu was ALL in Spanish. My attempts at ordering were met with a mixture of bemusement and pity. Eventually, I got something… I think it was chicken. It was… adequate? Ate it. Went back to the hotel feeling like I'd aged a decade.
Day 2: Beach Day & Existential Crisis (or, the Day I Almost Lost My Mind)
- Morning: Beach! Sun! Sand! Beautiful! Spent a blissful hour just… breathing. Then, the suncream situation. Let's just say I misjudged the application. Major sunburn. The kind that whispers "repent, traveler."
- Afternoon: Searched for aloe vera (mission impossible in a foreign country when you're in pain). Found some relief in a chemist's. Watched the waves and contemplated the meaning of life. Is there anything more humbling than a sunburn? No.
- Evening: Forced dinner. The chicken reappeared. This time, with more onions. I am unsure which dish was in front of me, but I finished it. Decided a cerveza was in order to soothe my tortured soul. The beer helped. A little. And then, I discovered the power of people-watching. The tourists! The locals! The sheer variety of humanity! It was intoxicating.
Day 3: PortAventura World & the Great Escape
- Morning: PortAventura World! Despite my fear of heights and rollercoasters (and everything else that moves too fast), I dragged myself around the park, half screaming and half laughing. I went on one rollercoaster, the Tutuki Splash. I'm still drying out. The park itself was pretty spectacular, with amazing themed areas and shows.
- Afternoon: Went to the waterpark area. I thought I was going to die. I loved it.
- Evening: I returned to my hotel, went to the balcony and I thought "I'm going to eat the worst dinner of my life and be okay with it." I saw the sunset, and had a moment of pure, unadulterated happiness.
Day 4: Exploration & Tourist Traps
- Morning: Ventured out of the hotel. Visited the town, went to a market (amazing chaos). Bought some stuff! And an awful souvenir.
- Afternoon: Went to a restaurant (that tourist trap? Yes.) ate some tapas (delicious!).
- Evening: Walked along the promenade, watched the sunset (again, because, why not?). The air was warm, the sky was on fire, and I felt… okay. Actually, I felt good. Really, really good.
Day 5: Beach Again & Reflection
- Morning: Spent the day on the beach. Read my book. Swam in the sea. Lived life.
- Afternoon: I returned to the hotel, went to the bar and ordered some calamari. It was amazing!!
- Evening: Quiet evening. Packed my bags.
Day 6: Leaving
- Morning: Checked out of Rentalmar Salou Pacific. This time, the lobby didn't smell of chlorine. Just… memories.
- Afternoon: Taxi back to Barcelona airport.
- Evening: Departures.
The Verdict:
Rentalmar Salou Pacific? It wasn't perfect. Far from it. There were sunburns, culinary mishaps, and moments of sheer panic. But… it was real. And in amongst the mess, there was beauty, laughter, and a whole lot of living. And that, my friends, is what a vacation is all about. Or is it? I'm still trying to figure it out. Either way, I'd go back. After I've recovered from the sunburn, of course.
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Salou's Pacific Paradise: Your Dream Rentalmar Vacation Awaits! - (Or Will It? Let's Dive In)
Okay, So "Pacific Paradise" Sounds Amazing. Is it, Like, *Actually* Paradise? Seriously?
Ugh, the name, right? "Pacific Paradise." It's… ambitious. Let's just say expectations need tempering. I went in dreaming of pristine beaches, turquoise water, and cocktails with tiny umbrellas. Reality? Well, let's just say I saw more slightly-greenish sea and slightly-less-tiny umbrellas.
Look, it *can* be lovely. The location? GREAT. Right near the beach, close to everything. Convenience points are HUGE in my book. But paradise? Nah. Maybe more like... "Pretty Good Place To Get A Tan While Avoiding the Crowds, Mostly." You get me?
What’s the Deal with the Apartments Themselves? Are They Actually… Livable? (And Clean?)
Okay, the apartment situation is where things get… interesting. I’m not gonna lie, there's a bit of a lottery involved. I read reviews, you know? Some said, "Spotless! Modern! Wonderful!" Others? "Ancient! Needs a serious scrub! Beware the dodgy tap!"
My apartment, thankfully, landed somewhere in the middle. It wasn't hideous. The kitchen… well, let's just say I wouldn't bake a soufflé in it. The fridge was ancient, but functional. I *think* everything was clean-ish? I mean, I didn't find any giant spiders. That's a win, right?
Tip: Bring cleaning wipes. Seriously. And maybe a can of air freshener. Just in case. You'll thank me later.
Beach Access - Is It Easy? Are There Sunbeds? (And What About the Crowds?)
Beach access? Super easy! You literally walk out, and you're there. That's a HUGE plus. No long treks with your beach bag and a screaming toddler. (Been there, done that, don't want the t-shirt.)
Sunbeds… Ah, the sunbed situation. It's a competitive sport. You either get up early, stake your claim with a towel, and defend it with your life, or you resign yourself to a spot in the sand. I made a valiant attempt the first day. Got up at 7 AM. Lost. Seriously. It was like a beach battlefield. The second day, I just went to the beach later. Found a spot. All was good. Just embrace the sand-in-everything experience.
And crowds? Yeah, it's Salou. It's popular. Weekends are especially busy. Go during the week if you want a little more breathing room. Or, you know, learn to love your neighbors. In a sandy kind of way.
Okay, Let's Talk Food. What's the Dining Situation Like Near Pacific Paradise? Any Recommendations? (Because I Like to Eat, A LOT.)
Food! This is where Salou shines, in my opinion. So many options! Absolutely *tons* of restaurants near Pacific Paradise. You've got everything from your classic tourist-trap places (avoid!) to some surprisingly good tapas bars.
My favorite? Okay, you're making me think. Oh yeah, the tiny tapas place down the street, "El Gato Loco". Seriously, the best patatas bravas I've ever had. Seriously. Go there. And the sangria? Divine. Warning: lines are long. But worth. Every. Single. Minute.
For something more casual, there's a great little pizza place called "Pizza Panic" near the park. It's perfect for a quick and easy meal, and their garlic bread is seriously addictive. And don’t be afraid to wander. The best places are often hidden! (Pro tip: look out for the places with the locals eating at them!)
What About Entertainment? Is There Anything To *DO* in Salou? (Besides Sunbathe and Eat, Obviously…)
Oh, are you kidding? Salou is a *hive* of activity. Okay, maybe not a *hive*, more like a... a slightly chaotic, but ultimately fun, bee's nest?
The obvious: PortAventura World! It's a huge theme park - like, HUGE. Definitely worth a day (or two) if you're into rollercoasters. I spent my entire time *screaming* my head off (in a good way!). They have all kinds of themed areas. It's crazy. Just... be prepared for lines. Long lines.
Beyond that? There are waterparks (always good!), a decent shopping street, and, of course, the nightlife. Beaches are great for a stroll, and there are some boat trips. You could also take a day trip to Tarragona and visit the Roman ruins. But honestly? I was happy just chilling, honestly. A book, the beach, some tapas... bliss.
Anything to Watch Out For? Any Nasty Surprises? (Besides the Kitchen, Maybe?)
Okay, let’s be real. Things that could potentially be a problem?
- Noise: Salou is lively. Like, *REALLY* lively. Especially at night. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. (I forgot to pack some. BIG MISTAKE.)
- Crowds: Mentioned this already, but it bears repeating. Expect crowds, especially during peak season.
- Parking: Parking can be a nightmare. Seriously. Factor that in if you're driving. Public transport is generally pretty good, though.
- The Sea… and the Weather! Be prepared for the fact the Mediterranean often has a mild green colour to it, and weather can change quickly.
One thing I’ll say: I had a slight freak-out on the first day. I thought I had locked my keys inside my apartment. Seriously, I was stood there for an hour while the staff tried to open it - I nearly had to smash the door down! Turned out the key was simply... inside the door! Don't do what I did. Double check stuff.
Just… pack your patience, be flexible, and be ready to roll with it. It's a vacation. Embrace the chaos! And bring plenty of sunscreen.
Okay, Bottom Line: Would You Go Back to Pacific Paradise? (And Would You Recommend It?)
