Festival Village

Festival Village was great the entertainment was funny and amazing. The food was good and the supermarket had a good variety of stock. The pool was a good size and fun when the entertainers did water polo and water sports.
Go to Festival Village and if you have time go to Treasure Island across the road for a good laugh and good food and if you have kids - they do kids entertainment as well which is fun!!

First impressions was that the hotel look tired.
On checking in we had to wait an hour before we could go to our rooms, this was because they were still being cleaned. We arrived at 11 am and check out is at 10 am so to be fair, they were still cleaning the rooms.
The rooms where spacious however the decor could have done with a lick of paint, the beds were hard and uncomfortable and the fridge was the noisiest fridge in the world, it must have come from the ark!
The patio doors where not secure, I had to knock the catch down so the door would lock; we didn't have one the highly sophisticated locking mechanisms (a long bolt) and no hole to put it if we did! This made the family feel very venerable, so there were a few nights of lost sleep. No good when you are supposed to be on holiday relaxing.
We went self catering so we didn't eat in the restaurant however we did eat from the snack bar, I ordered a cheeseburger - the bun was hard and crispy and the burger was cold, the chips where under cooked and pizzas like cardboard. We didn't go back for seconds!
The pool from the pictures look quite large, however in reality was small and inadequate for the number of guests using it. There were not enough loungers and quite a few where broken so you couldn't lift the back into a sitting position.
We ate out every night and found that no matter where you went the menu was the same: pizzas, pork, steak, baguettes, spag bol, there were some slight variations but on the whole it was the same.
I thought it was very expensive for the choice you got and very dry, although portions where ample. I do feel they might price themselves out of business because we went into on cafe/restaurant and bought a can of coke that cost 3 Euros which is just over 2 pounds, you could buy the same drink in the supermarket for 70 cents which is about 50p.
We did visit Aquapolis in La Pineda, another over rated and expensive theme park.
For a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 kids it costs about 84 Euros, then for 2 loungers at 5 Euros 2 rings at 9 Euros and 5 Euros deposit each, not a lot of change from 125 Euros, about 90 pounds. And then you have you food to pay for!
Overall I rate this holiday as the worst we have ever been on, and if this is an example of main land Spain I would rather go somewhere else.

This is the worst apartments I have ever stayed. It was given a 3* plus, but I think they have stolen at least 2 of the stars.
We called it Guantanamo Bay and Tenko. There was nothing positive about this apartment the reception staff, security, maid and First Choice Reps, were the only saving grace.
We booked passes for ourselves and our 3 children to Port Aventura for the first 7 days. Thank God or we would have felt like prisoners.
The food was disgusting, the bar was overpriced and some of the bar staff could not count, in their favour of course!
The sun beds at the pool were booked by other guests at 7 am and the pool did not open until 10 am.
Can I also add that there were only English, Irish, and Scottish at this hotel, so no other nationality could be blamed. It was embarrassing to think that adults could book these with no thought for anyone else and not use them until the afternoon. I was ashamed.
I will never stay at these apartments again and I will make sure not to recommend them to anyone else.
In fact they were so bad we will never visit Costa Dorada again.

Arrived at 0500 in the morning, to be met by a very nice male receptionist very courteous and polite.
Went right to bed and then went to the briefing at 1000 with the resort reps. Who I might say were very cheerful and made you welcome.
Then we went for a walk (and got lost) we found la Pineda which is a lovely place spent the day there. That was when we got lost trying to find the apartments. We did get back ok and spent the rest of our first day in the entertainment hall.
Boy do those reps have to work for their money, dealing with all of the problems of the day, and then some nights having to also entertain the customers, and what a job they did, the girls who did the abba turn should turn professional they were great.
Now the comments ref the resort:
Only Spanish TV. No remote control for the TV.
The bolt for the patio door a little bit primitive.
The good bits:
Staff all very polite and courteous
Cleaner did a good job of our room
Plenty of toilet rolls
Bedding clean
Not enough internet facilities(only 2).
Watch out when on the bus service, we never paid the same fare twice always up to 5 cents of a difference. Bus drivers seem to use the no speeka de English attitude when you question the fare.
Also two power cuts, the second one we had to wait for four hours before we could have our tea.
There, in my view, could have been an opportunity for the staff to offer at least some drink and sandwiches to customers free of charge.
And guess what? We will be going back, thanks to the reps and staff, we will return.
Thanks first choice for a wonderful time.
And for all the critics the holiday is what you make it.

We arrived at this hotel at 10 am to be told our room wasn’t ready yet, but will be in 20 minutes.... 20 minutes later, it still wasn’t ready so she kept saying 20 minutes longer, till it was 2pm we finally got in!
Only to find that the bolt that closed the patio door didn’t work at all! The rooms were big.
The entertainment provided by the reps was mostly good but I found them always looking for money for various things, e.g., a game of bingo, where u pay 2 Euros to get a game card, and all you get if you win is a drink at the bar if you don’t get it in 50 numbers, which I thought was stupid because people rarely get it in 50 numbers.
The bar in the hotel closed at 12.00 and everybody were given plastic cups and thrown out and left to finish their drink in there room or reception, that is way too early I thought to myself.
The pool area was rather small, and I found people were going out in very early hours putting towels on sunbeds to reserve them, there were very few sunbeds.
The cards we received to get into our room didn’t always work, and we would have to go down and get them fixed at least twice a day. The supermarket in the hotel was a relief, and I thought it was great.
I wouldn’t really advise anyone to stay at this hotel.

Very spacious two bed apartment, with two double bedrooms, lounge area, dining area, kitchen, and large balcony. The apartment was clean and well equipped.
The hotel was clean and the pool was clean and manned by a lifeguard at all times, though it was much smaller than it appears in the pictures. The onsite shop was well stocked, if a little expensive, but had everything you could need.
The resort staff were all very friendly and helpful, especially the reception staff. The entertainment was good, and varied, though a little predictable (bingo, cabaret, etc).
We were self catering, but did eat from the buffet twice. The food was fresh and well presented with a wide selection to choose from. However, it did look similar each night so may get boring if all inclusive. Best place to eat is just down road in Cap Salou in the Paddock. Lovely food and excellent staff.
The resort is well placed for all the local attractions with buses running from outside every 10 mins. Large sandy beach 10 min walk away and lots of small secluded coves nearby.
Portaventura is a short bus ride away and well worth a visit. We did not go in the water park, as we were advised the one at La Pineda was much better. It is only 10 min walk and much cheaper. We were not disappointed; it had a great selection of big rides, dolphin and sea lion shows, and numerous other pools for relaxing in.
Overall we had a great holiday and will definitely return next year.

When me and my 16 friends took a group holiday to Salou, we thought that it was going to be hard to find a resort that could cater for us all and put up with our rowdy antics!
However, when we went with Thomas Cook they were brilliant. The travel was all arranged and handled well, there were no missing bags, no catastrophes, and when we got to Salou we were shown into our apartments which had been arranged to be opposite each other, perfect.
Even when we locked ourselves out the holiday rep came straight round with a spare key, they had an office just down the road from us!
The accommodation was clean, tidy and had nothing wrong with it, but the really impressive thing was the holiday reps who were cheerful, helpful and could not have done more to help us have a wonderful holiday.
All in all, it was a very pleasant stay!!

This place was a disaster. Its a throwback to the sixties. I booked a last minute deal for myself and my ten year old son.
The place is dirty the food is dreadful and the staff grumpy and unhelpful. The annex were I stayed was particularly bad. Stay away from this place its horrible.
The pool is totally inadequate for the number of guests even in May. Bingo bingo and more bingo day and night. What passes for a supermarket is a serious rip-off with sky high prices for everything. The apartments are big but badly furnished and equipped.

I travelled to Salou last week with my boyfriend, and after reading tonnes of Reviews about Festival Village I was a bit worried and sceptical about what to expect on arrival at our apartments.
We arrived in the very quiet and very beautiful area of Cap Salou around lunchtime and I remembered reading that most accommodations in the Salou area would not allow you to check in until around 5pm. I did not mind this because I assumed it was customary.
However we arrived at lunch time and were checked in within minutes of arrival by the friendly and helpful staff at reception. Some people did have to wait for their rooms as they were getting the larger apartments and the cleaners were still working along, but our room was ready for us straight away.
On check in it cost us a 90euro refundable deposit and 20euro for a safety deposit box in the room with a 5euro refundable deposit.
Within the building there is a supermarket, 24hour reception, Internet access, Telephones, Representative desk, Restaurant/Bar with a small stage for the daily and evening entertainment, a games room, and a lounge area with a huge TV for SKY channels.
Outside the building there is the Bugs Bunny Club Playhouse, a small children’s play area, a small paddling pool for young children and then the main pool which wasn't very big and did get very crowded. We didn't mind this much as we are more beach people and the beautiful sandy beaches of La Pineda are less than a 10minute walk from the apartments.
The area was very relaxing and peaceful overall and I was delighted at how easy transport was. There is a bus stop right outside the apartments that will take you to Salou City Centre and Port Aventura for about 1.85 pp and the bus drivers were very polite and helpful even though they did not have much English.
There is also a bus stop on the opposite side if the road which will take you to Tarragona and Barcelona which is a must see!!
Our apartment was really nice. It was very clean and had a living room with a TV, a kitchen, 1 bedroom and a bathroom, it sounds pretty basic I know but it was very spacious and relaxing.
You will have to mop the floors a lot or wear flip-flop all the time as the floors get dirty very quickly.
The patio doors DO lock just make sure you have the bolt for them.. It looks a bit like a screw and make sure you push it all the way in. On top of that they are pretty secure doors considering that there is no door handle on the outside but I really do suggest you get a safety deposit box because they really are a huge help and you won't be as worried with one.
The daily and evening entertainment was fantastic and the food wasn't all that bad. Even though we went self catering we did have the option of eating in the restaurant there which was 10euro each for an all you can eat buffet. Every night they had a theme night and served different food so you do get a nice variety.
We would definitely go back, we really enjoyed ourselves, we loved the people there, and we loved our apartment.
I’m giving 9/10 because of the pool area and I do recommend to make the most of your holiday and don't spend it all at the apartments, there is so much to do around the area it would be a shame to miss it.

We had a great time on this holiday, we checked reviews of this place on this site before we went, which gave us a few tips on what to do on arrival.
We had a two bedroom apartment for 5 of us, self catering, and it was really spacious and quite clean, although we recommend everyone to keep some form of footwear on as the floor gets quite dirty!
Good advice is to rent the safe key for your apartment, and also make sure you have the 'bolt' for the patio doors!
The hotel staff are polite, helpful, & friendly, so too are the reps, most people speak quite good English too.
The pool was clean but quite cool but it was only May! The facilities were quite good, but we didn't use them much.
We went to a place next door called 'Treasure Island' which was great, excellent food & drink at reasonable prices.
We would certainly go again, but again not in high season, I would rate this holiday 4/5.