Navarra Family Suites: Your Dream Salou Escape Awaits!
Navarra Family Suites: My Salou Escape… or Was It? (A Mostly Honest Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I’ve just clawed my way back from a stay at the Navarra Family Suites in Salou, and frankly, my brain feels like it’s been through a blender. So, let’s break this down, shall we? Forget perfect prose, this is gonna be raw.
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Accessibility: The Good (and the Slightly Less Good)
Look, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate a hotel that gets accessibility. The Navarra Family Suites mostly do. Wheelchair accessible: They definitely have elevators, and I spotted ramps. This is a huge win. The elevator was actually pretty spacious, unlike the shoe-box-sized ones you sometimes find. They mention facilities for disabled guests, which is great to hear, but I didn't personally use them, so I can't give granular details. The exterior corridors are also helpful for wheelchair users.
Now, my slightly cynical side whispers, "How accessible is the pool area, really?" I didn't investigate that too deeply. And, um, I'm a bit worried about the bathroom phone. Is it really that necessary? My personal opinion, I don't really care about them.
Rooms: My Own Little Panic Room
Alright, the rooms. They're… fine. Clean, yes. Daily housekeeping: check (thank goodness!). Air conditioning: crucial in Salou, and happily, it worked. I'm a sucker for blackout curtains, and these delivered. God, it was a lifesaver after a long day of sun and sangria.
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yesss. Because if you're like me, you need to share every single tapas plate on Instagram. The wi-fi mostly behaved, which is a miracle in itself. I also saw mentions of Internet [LAN], but like a dinosaur, I'm afraid of wires.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day… Maybe?
Okay, this is where things get a little… mixed. They tout a Spa and facilities like a sauna, steamroom, massage. Sounds heavenly, right? Here's the kicker: I actually tried to book a massage. And the spa schedule was… weird. Or perhaps it was my timing. I'd heard of a body scrub and body wrap, but I was more interested in a nap. A Pool with view is a very attractive offer.
The Pool with view was quite picturesque, though. And the swimming pool [outdoor] was a lifesaver. I definitely did some serious lounging, a good way to relax after a long day.
Cleanliness and Safety: Bubble Wrap the World, Please
Post-COVID, safety is paramount. They're serious about this, which I appreciated. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, professional-grade sanitizing services – it's all there. I saw hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. The staff is trained in safety protocol. Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch.
Did it make me feel completely safe? Well, no. I still washed my hands until they bled. But overall, I felt like they were making an effort. I can testify for hot water linen and laundry washing. I was happy to see all these measures. I saw no shared stationery removed, but I didn't expect it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet… The Beautiful, Chaotic Buffet.
Right, the food. Prepare yourselves. They have a restaurants, a pool bar, and a snack bar. And the breakfast [buffet]… oh, the breakfast buffet. It was a glorious, slightly overwhelming vortex of croissants, questionable sausages, and enough coffee to fuel a small army. I can confirm coffee/tea in restaurant and breakfast buffet for sure.
The international cuisine in restaurant and western cuisine in restaurant wasn't groundbreaking, but it was plentiful and (generally) palatable. A la carte in restaurant. I had some salad in restaurant, and soup in restaurant. I also had bottle of water in my room. Breakfast service and a buffet in restaurant are offered.
Services and Conveniences: The Practical Stuff
Daily housekeeping: thank you, again! Concierge: helpful. Cash withdrawal: good to know. Elevator: essential, as mentioned above. Laundry service was handy. Luggage storage: a lifesaver on checkout day. Ironing service.
More things to be offered: Food delivery, invoice provided, smoking area, terraces, safe deposit boxes.
For the Kids: Chaos… But in a Good Way!
Family/child friendly? Absolutely. This hotel is a family hotel. Be prepared for the sound of tiny feet running down the hallways at 7 AM. They provide a babysitting service. I didn't use it but heard good things. Kids meal: I'm not sure if they have them… I didn't see them.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer… Eventually.
Airport transfer – they offer it. I, however, took a taxi because I was impatient. There is car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site] and taxi service.
Final Thoughts (The Unvarnished Truth):
Navarra Family Suites is… a solid choice. It's not perfect. But it's clean, it's safe (mostly), and it's geared towards families. The breakfast buffet alone is worth the price of admission (kidding… mostly). It's not the height of luxury, but it's comfortable and convenient.
Would I go back? Maybe. If I were traveling with kids, undoubtedly. If I were seeking pure relaxation? Perhaps I'd look for a spa hotel specifically and hope the schedule is more relaxed.
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Worth a visit if you’re after a family-friendly, relatively hassle-free Salou escape.
Luxury Osaka Haven: 9-Min Walk to Namba! Stunning Shakuhachi Apartment
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're talking about a potential trip to the Navarra Family Suites in Salou, Spain. And "potential" is the operative word here, because, let's be honest, life happens. This is a living, breathing itinerary. It's got the potential to be fantastic. Or, you know, to go gloriously sideways. Either way, it’ll be a story.
Navarra Family Suites: Salou, Spain - A Potential Cluster* of Adventures (and Possibly Disaster)**
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Bag Unpacking…or Lack Thereof
- Morning: (ish). Flight arrives at Reus Airport (REU)…hopefully. I’m notoriously bad at airports. I’m always convinced I’m going to miss the flight. And the stress alone probably burns enough calories to justify the copious amounts of tapas I plan on devouring later. Anyway, taxis are a total rip-off but who am I kidding? I'm exhausted from the flight, I can’t bother trying to use the public transport, and all the car rental places are fully open.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Arrive at Navarra Family Suites. "Suites," eh? Sounds fancy. Praying it's not just a glorified shoebox. Check-in. The real test: are the kids immediately wired and running amok? Am I immediately forced to start drinking the vino? (Likely yes.)
- Afternoon: The dreaded unpacking. I swear, this is the most arduous part of any vacation. Everything looks pristine and perfect in those glossy travel brochures…until you're surrounded by a suitcase eruption of questionable hygiene. The kids will likely be complaining about something, anything. Probably being hungry, thirsty, or the fact that their favorite toy isn't there.. I will attempt to find a calming voice in the face of total madness.
- Evening: Exploring the local area. Finding a supermarket. The first desperate attempt to find some food. Are there any cafes that are open late? Find a restaurant. Hopefully, it doesn't involve me ordering some strange mystery meat and the kids refusing to eat anything but bread. Maybe, just maybe, a stroll along the beach at sunset, if the kids aren't already in full-blown meltdown mode. Which is, you know, a distinct possibility.
- Bedtime: Crashing. Hard. Hoping the beds are comfy and that I'm not sharing a room with screaming banshees (aka my offspring).
Day 2: Beach Mayhem and the Quest for Chill
- Morning: Beach day! Sunscreen application. A battle of wills, guaranteed. The kids’ll want to be in the water immediately, even though the water will be freezing (probably). I'll be trying to actually read a book that for once, has real characters. The ultimate goal: achieve a blissful nap under an umbrella.
- Mid-day: Sandcastle building! (Or, rather, attempting sandcastle building under the watchful eye of my architectural critic, aka my toddler). The kids, probably not. More like a sand destroying contest.
- Afternoon: Beach-adjacent lunch. Seeking out a chiringuito (beach bar). Praying for decent sangria and some actually tasty seafood. Possibly watching the kids run around, while trying to ignore the fact that they're probably covered in sand.
- Late Afternoon: The inevitable "we're bored" whining starts. Find a playground – or some other form of kid-entertainment.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere with a view. A slightly less chaotic restaurant, fingers crossed. Or, hell, order takeout and eat it on the balcony while watching the sunset (if the kids permit it).
Day 3: PortAventura World – Embrace the Chaos (or Run Screaming)
- Morning: The Big One. PortAventura World. Prepare for sensory overload. The kids will be bouncing off the walls with excitement. Make sure to check heights to avoid disappointment (for them and me!).
- Mid-day: Rollercoasters, or watching from afar while the kids go on them. Stomachs churning… or, you know, enjoying the spectacle.
- Afternoon: Explore other parts of the park (Polynesia? China? Mexico? I get them all mixed up). Rides! Shows! Snacks! Oh, the snacks. The sugary, processed, probably-overpriced snacks. Worth it for the kid happiness though.
- Evening: Dinner inside the park, or after, depending on how long we last. The kids will be utterly shattered. Head back to the Navarra Family Suites, exhausted and maybe a little bit exhilarated.
Day 4: A Rambling Adventure (and Possibly a Nap)
- Morning: A slightly more relaxed morning. Possibly a walk in the local town. Find a charming cafe for coffee (and maybe a pastry…okay, definitely a pastry).
- Mid-day: Explore a local market (if there is one). Buying souvenirs.
- Afternoon: This is where things get really interesting. Options are wide-open: a boat trip? Visit a nearby town (Tarragona, perhaps?) Exploring a quieter beach? Or… just collapse by the pool for an hour or two. The latter option is increasingly tempting.
- Evening: Farewell dinner. Maybe a fancy restaurant. Maybe just pizza on the balcony. It all depends on how everyone's feeling. And how much wine I've consumed.
Day 5: Departure (and the Unpacking of the Unpacked)
- Morning: The dreaded repacking. Again. Trying to figure out how to get everything back into the suitcases. Praying I haven't bought too many souvenirs (although, let's be honest, I probably have).
- Mid-day: Check-out. Last-minute hugs and promises to return.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Praying flights aren't delayed.
- Evening: Arriving home to a mountain of laundry, a messy house, and the sweet, sweet realization that I actually survived the vacation after all. Now, to start planning the next one…
Disclaimer: This itinerary is a suggestion. Life, chaos, and small children are unpredictable. Things will undoubtedly go wrong. I will probably lose my temper at least once. But hey, that's part of the fun, right?
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Navarra Family Suites: Spill the Beans! (Or, You Know, Actually Answer Your Questions)
Okay, *who* are these Navarra Family Suites people, and why should I even care?
Alright, so picture this: You're knackered. Like, brain-meltingly exhausted from trying to wrangle tiny humans (or even slightly larger, more cynical ones) through the daily grind. You *need* a vacation. You *deserve* a vacation. Navarra Family Suites is dangling that carrot, promising a Salou escape tailored for families. Honestly? I'm skeptical of anything that promises pure, unadulterated *family* fun. But... after a few trips? They've actually, surprisingly, delivered. They're not saints, mind you. My first booking? Website glitches, the works. Grrr. Customer service initially felt a little... robotic. But, and this is key, they *fixed* it. Repeatedly. They’ve got decent facilities, a good location, and, most importantly, they *listen*. Or, at least, they appear to. It feels like an honest attempt at making family holidays less... stressful. Mostly.
What’s this "family-friendly" thing all about? Is it just a glorified crèche disguised as a hotel?
Hah! Good question. My inner cynic would probably bet on the glorified crèche. And sure, they *have* kids' clubs. (Bless them, the harried staff!) But it's more than that. They GET it. They understand the nuances of a vacation with kids. Like, the sheer horror of a cramped hotel room with four people. The suites? Actually *spacious*. My kids can actually *run around* without smashing into things. The kitchens are a godsend (hello, breakfast in pajamas!). They've got high chairs, cots, the whole shebang. Plus, they *try* to make sure things are relatively kid-proof. I mean, my youngest *still* managed to find a rogue plug socket one year (why, universe, WHYYYY?!), but in general? They’ve done a solid job.
Alright, location, location, location! Where exactly are these suites? Are we talking beachside bliss or industrial estate hellhole?
Thankfully, not the industrial estate. Phew. They're in Salou, close enough to the beach to feel the spray (and hear the seagulls, which, admittedly, get *loud*), but a little away from the immediate chaos of the main strip. It's that perfect balance of being able to walk to the shops and restaurants but also (relatively) escape the crowds. We’ve got a car, and parking is... well, sometimes a challenge. But, and this is a big but, the proximity to PortAventura World is HUGE. Especially if you have a rollercoaster-obsessed child like mine. Honestly? That proximity alone is a sales pitch.
The suites sound good… but what if it RAINS? Is there anything to DO?
Oh, the dreaded rain. Okay, so Salou's usually blessed with sunshine. But, let's be honest, weather doesn't give a damn about your holiday plans. The Navarra Suites? They have a pool. A *covered* pool. Bonus points! Indoor kids' club, too. Though, honestly, the indoor play area can feel... a bit… manic at times. It's a swirling vortex of tiny humans and brightly colored plastic. But hey, at least it's something to do. And then there's the surrounding area. PortAventura, of course. But even if the weather’s rubbish, there are plenty of shops, arcades, and frankly, enough ice cream parlors to get you through a deluge. Besides, a rainy day in a hotel room is a legitimate reason to binge-watch movies. Just remember the popcorn!
How's the food? I'm a picky eater, and the kids are… well, you can imagine.
Ah, the eternal holiday dilemma: food. The Navarra Suites have a restaurant. It's actually pretty decent! Buffet-style, which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing: options galore! Curse: the temptation to load your plate like you’re prepping for the apocalypse. They tend to have a kids' section with the usual suspects: chicken nuggets, pasta, the works. My kids *adore* the chicken nuggets. Me? I'm a sucker for their paella. It's surprisingly good. They also usually have fresh fruit, which is vital for getting some actual nutrients into the little monsters. You can also cook in your own suite, which is handy for keeping the kids’ routines as normal as possible. The supermarkets are close by. One tip: bring snacks. *Always* bring snacks.
What about the entertainment? Are we talking cheesy disco or something actually… fun?
The entertainment… it’s a mixed bag. Let’s be honest. You have your fair share of cheesy disco nights. My first instinct if I heard “Macarena” was to run for the safety of my room, but I’m not going to lie, sometimes, the kids LOVE them. The animators, though… they usually work *very* hard. They have the smiles, the energy, the ability to make even the most jaded adult crack a smile. They put on shows (some better than others, obviously). There might be karaoke. Prepare yourself. Think of it as part of the experience. Embrace the chaos. Or hide in your room. No judgement.
Any hidden costs or sneaky surprises to watch out for?
Oh, the dreaded hidden costs. Always, always, ALWAYS read the small print! Parking can be extra. Some activities might have a supplementary charge. And, depending on your booking, breakfast could be another cost to factor in. But, generally, they're pretty transparent. No major nasty surprises that I've encountered. BUT – and I can’t stress this enough – *bring your own water bottles.* Buying water at the hotel shop adds up. And don't forget essentials like sunscreen, and if you are going in the summer, consider a portable fan for the kids to keep them happy.
I've heard customer service can be patchy... Any tips for getting things done?
The customer service… yeah. Okay. It can be… inconsistent. But I've learned a few tricks. Firstly, be polite. Seriously. A little kindness goes a long way. Secondly, politely, but *firmly* follow up if something isn’t resolved. Don’t be afraid to speak to a manager. Finally, be prepared to be patient. Things move at a more relaxed pace in Spain. Just breathe. Seriously. Take some deep breaths and then send a very polite email.
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