Reviews of Dorada Palace Hotel, Salou, Spain

Recently returned from a...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs E Church

Comments:

Recently returned from a weeklong stay with my husband in the Dorada Palace.



I was first here with my parents the year the hotel opened and was pleasantly surprised to find the place still looking brand new. The apartment was spotless, spacious and well equipped (combo microwave though so no such thing as a quick bit of toast!).



The apartment was air conditioned at no extra cost, had maid service every day and towels changed when we wanted them.



Can highly recommend Port Aventura, even for wimps like me who don't like scary rides it's a great day out. If when you visit, like me, you're pregnant, most rides state pregnant women can't go on them - this isn't actually the case ask a member of staff who can tell you if it's possible. The rides I was allowed on after all were Sea Odyssey, Tempo del Fuego, and the River Rapids.



We also did the First Choice trip Barcelona Day & Night + Aquarium - a good value trip however a very long, tiring day - we were picked up at 11 am and didn't get back until after midnight.



Our apartment was towards the back of the building giving us a great view of Port Aventura especially for the late night fireworks display. We didn't have any problem with the coach park, petrol station or road - didn't experience any noise problems.



We ate in the resort every night, can recommend the Titanic - huge portions!



Overall had great time, although just a couple of "gripes" - having to pay a 90 euro room deposit, 28 Euros to hire safety deposit box (you get 10 back) and the fact that it was almost impossible to get a sunbed by the pool.



I wouldn't mind if people were actually using them but most were reserved using towels with no-one to be seen! There is a pool on the roof for over 18s but you need to get there about 10 am when it opens to get a sunbed there.

Got back on the 3rd July. The...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs E Tring

Comments:

Got back on the 3rd July. The hotel was very nice, very clean rooms, cleaned every day.



Pool area very good for children + a 3rd pool for the use of inflatable’s which we found better with our young children.



The restaurant is very big and gets very busy, we found it was better to eat at 10 am for breakfast and 7 pm for dinner. The evening dinner was good but the children’s bit was poor.



The evening entertainment wasn’t that good most nights you had Spanish reps miming to west end shows and queen. The first choice reps was ok they did there job.



All in all the holiday was very good (But beware of the teddy machine) if you have young children you can spend a lot of Euros.

The Dorada Palace is a very...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr B Kerr

Comments:

The Dorada Palace is a very clean hotel. The reception area is especially grand.



The receptionist are quick at check in and we were off to room. Was disappointed to find our room was very small and our bed consisted of two single beds pushed together.



The self catering rooms at the other side were much bigger, but thought I would add those who go SC that you require to pay 100 euro deposit. I heard a number of people complain about this.



Like the previous person said the floors can be very slippy. I fell down the stairs at pool side, a sore one. Wet feet and slippy tiles don't go!



I should also point out the hotel is at the top of a steep hill. A couple I meet who had walking difficulties found the hill too steep to climb. It was also very slippy too. The tiles used on the street are polished and even in the dry good trainers struggle for traction.



The main pool in hotel is always freezing. I don't understand why it's so cold. The week I went it was 30 degrees every day and the same the week before. It was a struggle to get in and was so cold I could not talk for about 20 seconds afterwards such was the thermal shock.



Compared to other hotels in Salou the Dorado palace looked amounts the best. Too many of the other hotels looked very rough to say the least.



My main gripe with the hotel was the food. It really was horrid. Terrible choice and the quality was shocking. This is supposed to be a 4 star hotel and they can't get away with serving food like they did.



First morning we were there we went for breakfast. All the food was stone cold and very limited choice. A bit of toast was as much as I could find to eat.



The only thing that I found warm was the milk, so that ruled out cereal too. The orange juice supplied in the mornings was heavily watered down too.



Over the week it never got any better. The only thing I worked out to get warm was omelette and fried egg as the guy fried it fresh. It was very popular and sometimes resulted in a 20 minute wait to be cooked which defeats the purpose of the buffet.



Three from the seven days we stayed sausage was an option. Before I have never been so excited to see a sausage or seen grown adults fighting over them, even thought the first time they were very undercooked.



It seemed to be the theme too often in the hotel that the food was nearly raw and always stone cold no matter what time you attend buffet breakfast/dinner.



Over the week they change the theme of dinner. Was excited to see English dinner on Sunday. I assumed it would be a roast, mmm. Entered dining room to see Yorkshire puddings and gravy. My hopes were soon dashed to find the same old rubbish behind them.



Only once in the week can I say I thought the dinner or breakfast was of an acceptable standard.



In my engineering discipline I have found myself working in various food processing factories over the years including a major meat processor. All the poor quality meat is bagged up and left aside as not for human consumption. I now know where all goes, the Dorado palace.



All the meat used was the cheapest of the cheap. Even the bacon in the morning is 80% fat and a tiny bit bacon. Heart attack food. Everyone from the UK I spoke to thought the exact same. Even the first choice reps were sitting down to salad morning noon and night.



I'm of the belief that a holiday is all about letting yourself go a bit. It's nice to leave the cooking to someone else and eat all the things you don't at home. You can't do that at the Dorado palace.



You either require to go self catering or be prepared to leave the hotel and go to town for something to eat. We found it very difficult to find a good restaurant. After the Dorado Palace, McDonald’s was a huge treat, warm food with some taste!!!



The only place I would recommend was El Torres (I think). Just slightly back from McDonalds above the tobacconist. It's the original steakhouse in Salou. We had fillet steaks and they were brilliant, fantastic meal.



Like previous review I found the same with Portaventura Park. It was the school last week and they were all on trips. They are the rudest bunch of gits I have every come across. You could not walk in the park without being pushed and heels clipped all the time.



They all feel the need to shout at the top of their voices all the time and it really is deafening. I have done most of the parks in the UK and Florida and I have never experienced anything like it. One guy would be in front of you and expect you to move over to allow his entire bus load to come join him. My usual calm patience was gone and my blood was boiling.



Luckily after 4pm they all started going home and the park was quieter and less waiting time. It was about 90minutes for dragon khan the day I went. I only then started to enjoy the park. Park admission was 37 euro's for an adult for those who wish to know.



We also visited Aquapolis Swimming Park. It was pretty good. A few good rides including splash especially. It was quiet the day I went and you can walk straight on.



My feet were agony though. The surface is very abrasive and loose stones in bits and this killed my feet. Some parts of the park look like they need a good clean up.



All in all the holiday was ok. I can't say I recommend Salou to anyone. The beach is very clean but some parts of Salou are really rough. The smell of the sewers at times is over powering and is vile like you can't imagine.



Many of the pubs, especially the English pubs are very grubby. I could not understand why they were packed every night. It was filthy, drink was rotten and the toilets were limited to one each gender and were filthy too.



I have been there and done it now and will not return. If you feel the need to go to Salou, the Dorado Palace looks amounts the best as long as you don't want food.



Even food in Salou is very limited too, usually burgers and pizza's etc.



The only thing I came back with was fags and some drink. Regal worked out just over £22 for 200 and JPH about £16.50.



1 Litre Smirnoff was about £7.70.



If you spend all day on the beach Salou might be for you.



If you want good theme parks, food, cleanliness, no language barrier and a far better holiday etc go to Florida. It's just 100 times better than anything you will sample anywhere in Spain.

We came back yesterday from our...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

May 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs L Treloar

Comments:

We came back yesterday from our holiday in Salou.



We stayed in the Dorada Palace hotel which is a beautiful hotel and in my opinion stands out from the other hotels, which all look like they need a lick of paint.



In general this hotel is excellent, it is spotless, and the rooms were very comfortable and nicely presented. Our only grumble was the food on an evening.



We stayed at this hotel 5 years ago and couldn't fault the food, yet this time we were utterly disappointed in the variety of food. My husband will eat anything and is not at all fussy, but even he struggled to find something to eat!



If you don’t like fish there aren't many other options. Every night there were at least 3 different fish dishes. They had chicken on the children’s counter one night, but it was hard work actually finding any chicken on the bone!



They do fry beef or pork for you as you wait, but even that meat wasn't exceptional, very tough, and stringy. If you like pasta or lots of salad you won't have a problem.



One point to keep in mind is that the floors in the hotel entrance are unbelievably slippy, especially when wet. Please be careful!



The other thing to mention is Portaventura. When we went, there were hundreds of Spanish children on school trips. Watch out for queue jumpers! They all do it, only us daft British queue it seems. At one point, after waiting in the Dragon Khan queue for 50 minutes, about 10 kids pushed in front of us, extremely annoying! We did get wise to it and kicked up a fuss and stopped any others from doing it though. Don't let them do it to you!



Apart from that we had a wonderful holiday-Lol!

Last year, my husband and I...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Not Specified

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs J Burrows

Comments:

Last year, my husband and I decide to take our granddaughter on holiday with us even though she was only 2 1/2 years old.



Dorada Palace was really nice all the staff where really friendly and the hotel was spotless, rooms where cleaned everyday, towels changed everyday.



The food was excellent a wide variety including children’s menu and indoor barbecue, also special nights with foods from around the world. Our granddaughter loved the night time entertainment of a mini disco and shows for the adults.



The theme park is a must with shows and really fantastic rides for all ages; it is only about a 10 minute walk from the hotel.



I would say if you have young children, I would advise you to take a pushchair.



Only the hotel have limited amount of buggies and for small children you do tend to do a lot of walking in Salou because there is a lot to see and do, you can even swim with the dolphins at the local Aqua Park, which is only a bus ride away.

We visited the Club Dorada...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs M Akerman

Comments:

We visited the Club Dorada palace in May 2006, which we booked as a late deal 2 weeks before paying £570 for 2 adults 2 children and an infant on a self catering basis.



We thought we had a bargain as the hotel was 4*. You get what you pay for.



On arrival we were told that the rooms would not be available until 2.00pm (it was 11.00am when we got there). The hotel offers a luggage storage facility which we paid several euros for.



Be warned! Our room was at the rear of the accommodation and our balcony overlooked a building site with construction vehicles making a noise all day; the local bus depot for all the local buses ands coaches was directly opposite and right next to a busy petrol station.



What made it worse was the fact that we also had the view of the Spanish version of the M4 motorway with cars racing up and down all day! I think even if we had been moved to the front of the hotel with the pool view then you would still have the view and noise of the motorway.



The accommodation itself was ok, nothing special considering it was a 4*. Our microwave broke down after only using it twice and it took a day and a half to get fixed (not ideal when you have a baby).



The reps were not really helpful and just referred us to the miserable reception staff that never seemed to have a break (honestly they work day and night!).



The hotel itself was very clean inside. The reception area leads through to the pool and we witnessed several children and adults who had been in the pool walking through the reception with towels round them dripping wet trying to get back to their apartments, but being yelled at by the miserable reception staff.



You are also not allowed to walk through the reception without a t-shirt on which is ridiculous as there was no other way to get into the hotel that we could see.



The pool was lovely and large with small children's pool, the only problem was that it was not heated so the water was freezing (I thought this was a 4*), despite this we still found it difficult to get a sun bed by the pool.



The children's play area was quite large and the children loved it but as it had a sandy/dirty/pebbly floor so the kids were always stinking (so was the kid’s pool).



We took the kids to the kids club, which seemed really boring, they seemed to stay in the kids club hut and draw and colour (what children want to go on holiday to do that).

you had to get their 15 mins early to queue to make sure your kids could get in as they only had space for 15 (out of the whole hotel).



The self catering facilities were fine. We paid to go full board for the last few days of our holiday and I must say that the food was fab (especially the omelettes).



The hotel is positioned at the back of the resort and we had a few bars and restaurants near to us. We had to be very careful crossing the 'M4' everyday as even though they have crossings the Spanish seem to take no notice of them.



It is a fair walk to the beach, about 15 mins stroll through the 'strip' which is lined full of your usual trashy souvenir shops, supermarket and leather handbag shops and shoe shops. All the shops sell the same souvenir junk at prices similar to what you might spend back home.



The resort isn't cheap, whatever you would pay at home for a meal or a drink you are looking at only a few pence cheaper.



The beach was lovely and water very clean. Lovely promenade and visits to nearby Tarragonna on the local bus are a must. Local markets filled with the same stuff as in the souvenir shops and the same people sell in the different markets on the different days.



Port Aventura was good fun but costly (book before you go - online is cheapest) as we paid on the gate and found it a lot more expensive. Its worth paying the extra for the fast pass which allows you to queue jump as otherwise you will end up waiting around 30 mins on each ride (remember we went in may, August must be horrendous).



Also, if you are a smoker as some people that were in our group were, you are not allowed to smoke in the hotel at all (not even on the balcony), and when they had a sneaky one on the balcony they had a nasty note put under their door by the staff telling them off!



The resort is described as being great for kids, but most of the bars cater for adults and clubbers. We managed to find one bar with a play station in and another with a few slot rides.



A few days before we left we found a bar with bungees/ trampolines etc but very expensive. Not one restaurant has made an impression on us to write about but you must try the chicken on a spit from the shop by the seafront main crossroads - absolutely delicious.



All in all, if you like Blackpool without all the amenities and are happy to spend time with your bored children playing you up then Salou is the place for you. There are many people who think Salou is a fabulous place but it wasn't for us! You have been warned!

Our 1 week holiday was great...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs C McClean

Comments:

Our 1 week holiday was great because of the hotel we stayed in.



The entertainment was brilliant and on every night. The food was gorgeous and our room we stayed in was so tidy and clean. The maids came in every day.



The kids club was on for 6 hours a day, brilliant!



I recommend this hotel to families.

I would just like to say to...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

May 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr R Picken

Comments:

I would just like to say to anyone considering going to this hotel in my opinion it was faultless we went self catering and found all the amenities we required there.



The room were spotless and the staff right through from the reception staff to reps and cleaners were always helpful. In fact a great holiday started the minute we arrived at Stanstead we had premier bookings so no queuing and first class seats and good food on the flight to Reus. And back my 4yr old son enjoyed the bugs bunny club, pool swings and loved the beach.



I will certainly be going back to this hotel very soon with my wife and son. The only down side to a wonderful holiday was the treatment in Reus airport where the organisation leaves a lot to be desired and the security guards there are ignorant.

Just returned from 2 weeks at...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr P Astbury

Comments:

Just returned from 2 weeks at the Dorada Palace - Salou. 2 adults + 2 children (12 + 4) staying in a self-catering apartment. Overall we were very impressed with this Hotel, room was good and big enough (note: if you are half-board you probably get a smaller room !) Rooms were cleaned daily and towels changed if you needed them.



After a few days we decided to upgrade to half-board. At 15 euros for Breakfast & Lunch we felt this was a pretty good deal and doubt we could get breakfast + dinner locally for that price. The food was pretty good (buffet of course) and as long as your not too fussy there was enough variety.



The pool area was good, we did find necessary to be up early to reserve sun beds if you were planning on staying in the day. Drinks prices were OK - my only quibble would be the cost of kids drinks (eg. 3 Euros for a small slush, 4 euros for a non-alcoholic cocktail).



The only thing that slightly lets this hotel down is its location. To get to Salou (and the beach) there was a very dreary walk along tatty backstreets followed by trying to get our children past the souvenir shops. That said, once you were at the beach it was lovely.



Our preference was to have a day by the beach rather than stay at the hotel. We had heard previously that Port Aventura was within walking distance but decided to get the bus (which is an excellent service). The park itself is massive and if you do decide to go, consider going to difference zones on different days (the Wild West was our favourite).



Evening entertainment at the hotel was OK - bit cheesy at times (but what do you expect), all taken with humour. All in all we very much enjoyed our stay at this hotel and would probably return if it not for Salou (bit too 'towny' for us), we'll probably look for a quieter resort next time.

I read some reviews about Salou...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs M Dennison

Comments:

I read some reviews about Salou and the hotel that we stayed in before we went but here are my thoughts. Salou itself is a very lively place and never stops which we liked as we live in the town and are used to the noise.



The main streets are cleaned and well kept but some back streets are in a bad state of repair but I didn’t see any rubbish which is good but you have to be careful crossing the road as the Spanish are crazy drivers.



Portaventura is great but you need more than one day there. It is best to buy your tickets before you go as the lines are very very long and with people with only toddler age children there is not much there for them.



Dorada palace was good but the kitchen equipment was not great the pool was on the small side but my main problem was reception the ladies on the desk are not child friendly. Anything that my 23 month old daughter said was met with complaint and she was well behaved. She had a squeaky hammer and we where waiting for the lift.



She was lightly banging it on the floor and they came over saying no no. Well that’s my thoughts. I have already booked again for next year just at a different hotel.

We visited the Dorada Palace the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss L Campbell

Comments:

We visited the Dorada Palace the 3rd week in June with our 20 month old daughter and had an excellent time - highly recommended!!!



We stayed self catering in a one bedroom apartment overlooking the pool. The apartment was very spacious and spotlessly clean on arrival. We requested a cot for our daughter and were pleasantly surprised to find it was a wooden one (like we have at home) instead of the usual metal prison cage type! Balcony was very big with table and chairs & a clothes airer, which you have to use for drying your towels as you’re not allowed to hang them over the balcony! Maid service was every day, with towel change when you want it - just hang the sign on the door handle - and linen change twice per week. Cooking facilities were ample although the kettle did take forever as you had to boil it on the hob. If eating in at all would recommend the take away chicken from the spit - mmmm! The only downside was that you couldn’t keep your room on your final day. We checked out of our room at 10am and didn’t get picked up to travel to the airport until 1am the following morning. Reception staff said the hotel was full so they had no other rooms to offer us. When you check out the hotel provides a luggage room to store your cases on the basement floor. There is no courtesy room to use for a shower before your departure either. Instead they offer 2 rooms on the basement floor - one male and one female - with two showers, a toilet cubicle and 2 wash basins in each. The rooms have no locks on the doors so people are free to come and go while you're showering! As you can imagine, with no windows the rooms turn very quickly into saunas - best avoided if at all possible.



Pool area was large and very clean although you'll be hard pushed to get a sun lounger after 9am. There’s a mad rush on in the morning - we couldn't believe our eyes! Good sized pool with a children’s splash pool to the side. There's also a further pool through the other side of the indoor sitting area. This pool is used for the watersport activities, but tends to be less crowded and rowdy than the main pool area, when not in use for activities.



Salou itself is a lovely family orientated resort with plenty to keep all amused. Lots of bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, etc. The beach is about a 15 walk from the apartments and is very long and very clean, but does become very crowded with rows and rows of sun loungers. A further 15-20 min walk along the promenade is the marina where you can take the 30 min ferry ride to Cambrils - approx 9euros each with children half price. There are other trips available. The local bus service is excellent - very regular and cheap (Salou - La Pineda was 1.70 euros). From Salou you can take the air conditioned bus to Cambrils, Cap Salou, La Pineda, Tarragona, Port Aventura and Barcelona.

Port Aventura is about a 20 min walk from the Dorada Palace or 5 mins by bus. Pre book tickets before visiting as prices at the gate are around 35 euros. Next to the theme park is Caribe Park waterpark, more reasonably priced at 19euros. There is also another waterpark in La Pineda - Aquapolis - at around the same price.



All in all we found Salou a great resort for a family holiday and the Dorada Palace was top class. If it wasn’t for the palaver on the final day we would have rated it as 10/10!!!

Great hotel. Absolutely fabulous...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr S Boulding

Comments:

Great hotel. Absolutely fabulous for families. Rooms pretty big with 4 full size beds. Rooms very clean daily. Hotel restaurant excellent selection and something for everyone, even separate selection of kids meals. Staff very friendly and helpful.



Location very good for theme park (15 mins walk) and about 10 mins walk to beach. Hotel is based on dual carriageway, but our room faced the road, but there was hardly any road noise.



Hotel entertainment was excellent daytime and evening with a good junior disco at 9pm and a very good quality cabaret show at 19pm. We would highly recommend this hotel and are possible looking at booking again next year.

I have just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr K Jameson

Comments:

I have just returned from the Dorada Palace and it was excellent. Yes to get a sun bed, you did have to get down early (every hotels the same) and the hobs in the apartments took a little time to heat up, (not exactly holiday spoilers!)



The bar service around the pool was good and the staff were always friendly.



There were a few rules, no bare feet and gents to wear long(ish) trousers and shirt for the restaurant. This is one of the reasons it is 4star. One of the best hotels in Salou and I will definitely return.

Have just arrived back from...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs K Skinner

Comments:

Have just arrived back from Dorada Palace with hubby and two teenage sons. We had a lovely time and would go back again. On arrival we were given a welcome pack. The apartment was quite adequate, it was cleaned and a towel change everyday. We took a travel kettle and so didn’t have to wait 10 minutes for the water to boil. I also took extra coat hangers just in case. A must is an extra key-card to keep in the slot so that the air-con and fridge don’t go off. The hotel was very clean and I have to say that I liked the no smoking ban. I had no objections to the ‘rules’ especially when some of them concerned health and safety.



We didn’t cook at all in the apartment, most mornings we went to the Titanic for breakfast, it’s all freshly cooked, (don’t let the appearance of the place put you off). We normally had a snack at lunchtime and then went to the town for an evening meal. This wasn’t always successful, lots of chips with everything. The best place that we found was Uncle Sam’s American Diner. The staff were great and the food was good value for money. The food in the Spaghetti House was good but it was a little expensive. For drinks, the best place by far was The Butler, (if only they did food). Really friendly people and they have the soaps and Sky sports on. Towards the end of our two weeks we decided to eat at the hotel, which was great, wish we’d done it before. The Chef that cooks the eggs/omlettes in the morning and the steaks in the evening is great, he cooks to order.



Salou was a little disappointing it’s very commercialised and geared up for the Brit’s on holiday, (lots of ‘tat’). There are loads of supermarkets, the best one that we found was Suma, although they’re all very similar.



I know that many people have said to go to Barcelona under your own steam, i.e. not to go through the reps. However, we went on the day/evening trip to Barcelona with First Choice and it was fabulous. We spent a couple of hours in Barcelona Football Stadium, stopped briefly to see the 1992 Olympic Stadium and toured around the Olympic Village. We also went up the mountain to a view point overlooking the city, then onto the Aquarium for another couple of hours. We had over 2 hours in shops/La Ramblas and then went to see the ‘Dancing Fountains’ at 9.30pm. There were 2 shows and should not to be missed. We got back to the hotel at midnight.



Just to top this holiday off was the weather, it was hot all of the time, the sea/pool was warm and both clean.



I hope that this review is of some help, I read GJ Mandora, (July ’05) review before going to Dorada Palace and found it very useful.

We have just returned from...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Not Specified

Comments:

We have just returned from Dorada Palace after a week’s holiday (long enough!)



The apartment itself was clean and tidy, however, be prepared to wait for the kettle to boil on the 3 ring hob in the morning and the toast to grill in the combination microwave!



The main swimming pool was clean, but, if you want a sun bed you have to be trained and fit to run for them (advise you to have lessons from Colin Jackson in hurdling first!) It was so unbelievable and its supposed to be the Germans who hog the sun beds. Afraid not, its the English.



The long queues at the poolside bar from the not very friendly staff, average wait 20 minutes, were horrendous and don't ask to have your table cleaned or they will look at you with a bewildered face. And that’s not to mention the reception police. No walking in bare feet, no this, no that. What are you allowed to do?



After paying a lot of money for a family holiday you would expect to have a little bit of freedom, yes its a nice, clean aparthotel, but lighten up. Definitely will not be returning to the Dorada palace.