Unbelievable Zahara Family Suite in Salou, Spain! Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Unbelievable Zahara Family Suite: Salou, Spain - My Dream Vacation…or a Slightly Wobbly Reality? (Spoiler: Mostly Dream!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the sangria on my recent trip to the Unbelievable Zahara Family Suite in Salou. And by "unbelievable," I mean… well, you'll see. I'm aiming for messy, honest, and hopefully helpful. Let's go!
First, the Basics (and the Accessibility Angle, Because That Matters):
Right, so let's get the nitty-gritty done first. Accessibility gets a solid… shrug… Let’s say a hesitant "adequate." They claim to be wheelchair accessible, and the elevator’s definitely a plus. But navigating some of the common areas felt like a slightly stressful obstacle course. I remember one time trying to get to the poolside bar with my Aunt Millie (who uses a walker) – let's just say we had a moment with a rogue sun lounger. Nothing devastating, just… you know, a bit of a pacing adjustment required.
- Accessibility: Adequate - with room for improvement. Specifics: Wheelchair access, elevator. Areas for improvement: some maneuverability challenges observed.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (but read above!)
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Listed, but needs a closer look.
The Tech Stuff (Because We're All Glued to Our Screens, Admit It):
Internet… Ah, glorious internet! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, baby! And it actually worked! I could binge-watch all my guilty pleasure shows in glorious HD. Praise be! We're talking consistent access.
- Internet Access: Excellent!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES!
- Internet [LAN]: Available.
- Internet Services: Strong, reliable.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Also good.
Things to Do (And Stuff I Did…or Didn't):
Oh, the things to do! The Zahara Family Suite boasts a dizzying array of options. Fitness center? Check. Sauna? Check. Spa? Double-check! I intended to conquer them all. Reality: I mostly conquered the pool and the poolside bar (more on that later).
- Things to do: A plethora! Fitness center, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
- Ways to Relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Spa/sauna,
- My Take: Okay, full disclosure: I only made it to the pool and the bar. The idea of the spa sounded divine, but between wrangling the kids and fending off the sun, relaxation was more a concept than a reality. However, everyone I spoke to that utilized the spa service said it were to die for.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because We're Living in a Germy World):
Okay, this is serious. They went ALL OUT on cleanliness and safety. And I mean really out. They'd literally disinfect everything from the elevator buttons to the forks. It was reassuring, especially after the past couple of years. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff looked like they’d been trained by the CDC.
- Cleanliness and safety: Excellent!
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: All present and accounted for.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good flexibility.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Because Fueling Adventures is Crucial):
Alright, FOOD. This is where things get interesting. The Zahara Family Suite claims to have a culinary empire. Restaurants? Plural. Bars? You betcha. My reality? A beautiful, slightly chaotic buffet breakfast. Let’s break it down.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A lot! A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- The Buffet Saga: The buffet breakfast was glorious in its chaos. Imagine hundreds of hungry people, a mountain of pastries, and a swarm of tiny, sticky hands. The food was… well, it was breakfast food. The bacon was crispy, the coffee was strong, and the kids ate more than I did. It was a love/hate relationship – more love than hate. The fact that it was included in the package was a huge win.
- The Poolside Bar Experience, AKA My Happy Place: This. This is where I lived. The cocktails were delicious, the staff was wonderfully tolerant of my (very) limited Spanish, and the view? Pure bliss. One evening, I swear, the sunset was so beautiful I nearly cried. (Don't judge me, I'd had a few mojitos.)
Services and Conveniences (The Perks and the Quirks):
They offered everything under the sun. Laundry? Yup. Concierge? Present and helpful. Gift shop? Ooh, I had a moment there with a hideous (but adorable) souvenir flamingo.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- The Concierge: The concierge was a lifesaver. They helped me with restaurant reservations, got me a cab, and generally kept me from completely losing it. Seriously, they were amazing.
- The Gift Shop Incident: The flamingos… Let's just say I have a new addition to my garden.
For the Kids (Because Parenting is a Contact Sport):
Kid-friendly? Absolutely. They practically rolled out the red carpet for the little monsters (I say that with love, of course!).
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
- Kid-Friendly: My kids were in heaven. There were kids' clubs, designated play areas, and enough ice cream to fuel a small army. (The babysitting service also bought me some much-needed adult time. Win-win!)
Access, Security, and Safety (Because Peace of Mind Matters):
Security was tight. Multiple layers of security; you're in safe hands, and that's definitely a plus.
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms.
- Security: I felt safe and secure the entire time. Excellent.
Getting Around (Because Salou Isn't Exactly Walking Distance from My House):
Easy peasy. Airport transfer, taxi service, car park. Very convenient.
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
Available in all rooms (The Nitty-Gritty of Your Personal Space):
Okay, let's get into the suites!
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, 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, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free],
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my trip to the Zahara Family Suite in Salou, Spain. And it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess. Prepare yourselves.
Zahara Family Suite | Rentalmar Salou, Spain – The "Attempting to Relax With Three Humans Under the Age of… Well, They're All Still Under My Influence" Edition
Day 1: Arrival, the Great Unpacking Disaster, and the Pursuit of Sangria (and Sanity)
14:00: Land in Barcelona. Okay, so the flight was a nightmare. Tiny seat, kid kicking the back, and the one thing that kept me going? Imagining that first ice-cold glass of sangria. Actually, scratch that. It's not just a drink, it's a promise. A promise of sunshine, relaxation, and maybe, just maybe, a moment's peace.
15:30: Car rental pick-up. Pray for me. I've got a minivan and three tiny humans who think "quiet" is a type of sandwich. Hopefully they are well.
17:00: Arrive at Zahara Family Suite. OMFG. The photos online? Lies. Beautiful, strategically lit, photo-shopped lies. But hey, it's spacious! And the balcony… the balcony could be amazing. If the kids could stop trying to scale the railing.
- Internal Monologue: Right. Unpack. This is where I screw up. I always screw up. Where's the sunscreen? Where's the… oh, the screaming. Right. Okay, unpack. Find the essentials. Toilet paper, snacks, and… wine. Wine is essential, right? It's practically a food group at this point.
18:00: Unpacking. The scene is utter chaos. Clothes everywhere. Toys like a landmine field. The little one is claiming the master bedroom as her throne. The eldest wants to argue about something. The middle one is eating a box of cereal directly from a bag. I'm starting to see red.
19:00: Attempt Number One: The Sangria Quest. Armed with Google Maps and a fierce determination, trek to the nearest bar. It's called "Somewhere Else." Hmm. Promising. Kid 1 vomits on the way. Kid 2 starts singing a song about a garbage truck. We finally find the bar. The sangria? Divine. The peace? Fleeting.
- Pro-Tip: Always carry wet wipes. And a spare change of clothes. And maybe a tranquilizer gun for yourself. Just kidding. (Mostly.)
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Maybe?) and the Rollercoaster Ride That Is PortAventura
09:00: Wake up. Or, more accurately, be woken up by a small hand slapping my face. Apparently, the sun is up, and so are they. Coffee is a survival requirement.
10:00: Beach Day! Sand, sun, sea… and screaming. The kids, not the sea. The beach is beautiful, the water is actually the temperature. But the sand? It’s EVERYWHERE. In hair, in sandwiches, in my soul. But the ocean breeze is a gift. So, I smile, and try to enjoy the moment.
13:00: Lunch. Another epic struggle. The kids are allergic to everything on the menu. I compromise. The meal is… acceptable.
15:00: PortAventura! The theme park! The moment that I've been waiting for. We arrive. I think I can survive this. The rides are amazing. My youngest nearly lost it on the carousel, but ultimately the day goes well. Food prices are insane, but the memories? Priceless.
- Quirky Observation: I could swear I saw a man dressed as Woody Woodpecker crying in the shade after queueing for 2 hours. Maybe I am not the only one who has gotten this much.
19:00: Dinner. We stumble back to the suite. My feet ache. My brain is fried. The kids are buzzing with adrenaline. Dinner is pizza. Because, you know, convenience.
22:00: Bedtime. Finally. Or, as I call it, "The Calm Before the Storm of Nighttime Fears and Bathroom Trips."
Day 3: Exploring Salou & Paella Panic
- 09:30: That long awaited sleep. But, alas, it was not to be.
- 11:00: Salou exploration. It's charming, full of shops, and the ice cream is actually the best I've ever had. The kids are suddenly obsessed with finding "the perfect souvenir" (which will probably end up forgotten in a drawer somewhere).
- 13:00: Paella Cooking Class! (Hahahahahahahahah!) I booked a cooking class. I do not know what I was thinking. I love paella, but will I survive the cooking? I've managed to avoid setting anything on fire so far… but the rice is a bit sticky. And the seafood? Let’s just say, not my forte. But the laughter! The messy faces! Okay, it's actually kind of fun and the paella is pretty tasty. Victory!
- 16:00: Beach again. We need to give the kids a break from all of the thrills.
- 19:00: Dinner. Paella leftovers, yay! (And a much-needed bottle of wine to wash it all down.)
- 21:00: The sun is now down. The kids are now down… for the count.
Day 4: Pool Day, the Great Breakage of 2024, and the End is in Sight
- 10:00: Pool time. Finally, a chance to relax. The kids go wild and so do I.
- 12:00: Breakage. The youngest drops the remote control. The suite is not the same anymore.
- 13:00: Lunch by the pool. The day is great.
- 16:00: One final trip to the beach.
- 19:00: Packing. Oh, the joy! It's like a tornado hit the place.
- 22:00: Final night.
Day 5: Departure (and the Sweet Freedom of "Me Time")
06:00: Wake up. Last minute packing. The kids already have their suitcases ready.
08:00: Car rental return. Driving is the best part of freedom.
10:00: Back in Barcelona, reflecting upon this long journey.
13:00: Heading home. So much stuff, so many memories.
15:00: Last thoughts.
- Final Thought: Would I do it again? Absolutely. Because despite the chaos, the meltdowns, and the endless need for snacks, there were moments of pure joy. The laughter, the sunshine, the shared experiences… And hey, at least I survived. And that sangria? Worth every single drop of chaos.
Wish me luck. I'll need it.
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Unbelievable Zahara Family Suite in Salou: Your Dream Vacation Awaits! (Maybe... Let's See!)
Okay, so... "Unbelievable"? Honestly, is it *really* unbelievable? My kids are picky. My partner snores. I'm already stressed...
Alright, alright, hold your horses! "Unbelievable" is a bit… optimistic. It's *good*. Really good. But *unbelievable*? That depends if you're expecting unicorns and free beer. I'll be frank: it's amazing compared to that dingy hotel room we stayed in last year, the one with the suspiciously damp carpet. Zahara? It's a total upgrade! Think spacious, clean (mostly – more on that later!), and with enough room to actually *breathe* without elbowing someone.
My kids, bless their little cotton socks, were thrilled. They immediately staked their claim: "Mine!" "No, *mine*!" – the usual. And yes, the snoring? Well, the separate bedroom *does* work miracles. I actually got a decent night's sleep! Though, I’ll admit, the first night I kept waking up thinking I was hearing waves (thanks, open window, and possibly the sheer relief of not sharing a room).
It’s not perfect, mind you. Nothing ever is.
Tell me about space. I need SPACE! My kids leave a trail of destruction wherever they go…
The space? Oh, sweet, glorious space! This suite is like a small, *slightly* chaotic, apartment. Seriously, you'll have room to swing a cat (though, please don't – I'm not a cat person, and besides, it's probably against the rules!).
There's a separate living area, which is where the kids set up their Lego kingdom of doom (or, you know, entertainment) and the kitchenette, which I mostly ignored, preferring to drown my sorrows in sangria at the poolside bar. It's ideal.
The bedrooms are a good size, and the balcony? Heaven! We spent every evening there, watching the sunset. Until the mosquitos discovered us, that is. Pack repellent! Seriously. I'm still itching.
Location, location, location! Is it near the beach? And more importantly, near *food*? My family is fueled by snacks.
Location is pretty darn good! The beach is a short walk away. I'd say… five minutes? Maybe ten if you're wrestling a toddler and have approximately 82 bags filled with beach paraphernalia. Expect sand everywhere, by the way. It's just part of the deal.
And the food? Oh, the food! Restaurants are plentiful. Touristy ones, sure, but frankly, after surviving a week of school lunches, I wasn't complaining. There are also some amazing little tapas bars tucked away – those are worth seeking out! The kids, however, were obsessed with the pizzeria. Pizza, pasta, repeat. And yes, there's a supermarket nearby, which is a *lifesaver*. Snacks, glorious snacks! We spent a small fortune in there, but hey, happy kids, right?
The dreaded "extras"... Pool? Wifi? Kids' club? Are they actually *good*?
Alright, let's tackle the dreaded extras.
Pool: The pool is GREAT! Very clean, plenty of sunbeds (though, get there early if you want one with shade – the Germans are ruthless sunbed-claimers!). My kids practically lived in the pool. I just relaxed by the pool.
Wifi: Hit or miss, honestly! It worked well in the lobby, but in the room… let's just say I had to become very resourceful with my phone's hotspot. Netflix wasn't exactly a viable option. So, be prepared to potentially disconnect. A good thing or a bad thing? Depends on your perspective. Me? I needed it.
Kids' Club: We didn't use it. My kids are… particular. They prefer to independently destroy the hotel room. But I saw kids in there, and they seemed happy. So, take that as you will.
Oh, and there’s a gym, too. I’m pretty sure it exists. I can’t confirm or deny. The sangria and the beach were my gym.
Any downsides? I need the truth, not the sunshine-and-roses version!
Okay, okay, the truth. Nothing is perfect.
Housekeeping: Okay, this is where things got a little… dicey. Don't get me wrong, they do their best. But, the cleaning wasn't always as thorough as I'd like. We found a rogue sock under the bed... and a suspiciously sticky patch on the sofa. But hey, it's a holiday, right? I'm not going to be inspecting every nook and cranny.
Noise: It can get a little noisy at night. Especially from the street, which can be lively! So, if you're a light sleeper, pack earplugs. I needed them. Seriously. Those late-night conversations outside our window were… interesting.
Air Conditioning: The air conditioning in the unit was absolutely amazing. However, sometimes it blew *directly* on the beds, and it got to a point where my other half and I were fighting over the remote. I think it might have been the peak of our marriage.
Oh, and one more thing: the lift took *forever*. So, be prepared for a lot of stairs if you're on a high floor. You'll get your exercise, though.
Would you go back? Honestly?
Would I go back? Hmm... That's a tough one. Despite the sticky patches and the occasional noise, the Zahara Family Suite was pretty darn good. I'd definitely consider it again. Especially if they promised me a free bottle of wine. Actually, two. And maybe a week-long pass to the spa.
Yes. I would. It’s a good base for a family holiday – great location, plenty of space, and enough sunshine to convince you to forget about all the little imperfections. Plus, the kids had a blast. And that's really what matters, isn't it? (Even though they left approximately 200 pounds of sand in the suitcase. Seriously, where did it all come from??) The memory? Priceless. The sand? Still cleaning it up. Maybe "unbelievable" is a stretch, but it was close enough, and I’d take it again in a heartbeat.
