"Hotel Cala Font, Salou – Honest Review
We’ve just returned from a week in Salou, staying at the Hotel Cala Font, and overall we had an enjoyable stay. The hotel’s location is undoubtedly one of its biggest strengths, with absolutely stunning views and several charming local beaches within easy walking distance. It’s a great spot if you want to be close to the sea while still having plenty of amenities nearby.
There are also a number of supermarkets within walking distance, which were really handy for picking up general supplies, snacks and refreshments. There are several restaurants in the surrounding area too, although as we were staying half board, we didn’t get the opportunity to try them.
The Hotel
The hotel itself was pleasant enough, but for a four-star property, I felt it lacked some of the charm and little extras you would normally expect.
One of the biggest disappointments was the rooftop bar and pool. While it sounds fantastic on paper, guests are required to pay €15 per person to use the rooftop pool, which felt disappointing considering we were already paying to stay at the hotel.
Another gripe was the lack of basic in-room facilities. There was no coffee-making facility and no complimentary water in the room. In this day and age, I think having the ability to make a morning coffee or tea in your room should be fairly standard, particularly in a hotel advertising itself as four-star.
Rooms
Our room was clean and perfectly adequate, but it was fairly basic and again lacked those little touches that would have made the stay feel more premium.
The towels were clean, but they had clearly seen better days and were in need of replacement. Nothing was particularly bad, but there were several small areas where a little investment and attention to detail would make a noticeable difference.
Food & Pool
We stayed on a half-board basis and found the food to be okay overall. There was a reasonable selection, although at certain times the dining room could feel a little like feeding time at the zoo! The hotel appeared to be very busy throughout our stay, so this is perhaps understandable, but the dining experience could certainly benefit from better management during peak periods.
Despite the hotel being busy, one positive was the pool area. As a party of five, we were pleasantly surprised that we were always able to find sun loungers together, which was a definite bonus.
Would We Stay Again?
Yes – but with a few changes and tweaks.
The Cala Font has a fantastic location, beautiful views and some lovely beaches right on its doorstep. Those are big advantages and, for us, went a long way towards making the holiday enjoyable.
However, the hotel feels like it could be so much better with a little more attention to detail. Replacing tired towels, adding basic coffee and water facilities to the rooms, and reconsidering the additional charge for the rooftop pool would all make a significant difference.
Overall, I’d describe the Hotel Cala Font as a good hotel in an exceptional location, but one that doesn’t quite live up to the four-star experience I would expect. With a few improvements and some extra attention to the finer details, it could be a much more impressive place to stay."
