Ponient Aparthotel Marinada by PortAventura World

"Returned here this week after visiting last August (2025). We enjoyed our trip last year but not this time. The difference in the experience is huge. We booked an ajoining bedroom as we are a young family of 6. Upon arrival we were told this wasn’t available. Told by receptionist that no manager was on duty for 2 days which is shocking in a 4*star hotel. I stood my ground calmly but assertively with them and one receptionist was happy to place our bags outside the reception area and tell us to leave. Unfortunately this wasn’t a possiblity at 10pm at night with 4 small kids and the hotel booked and paid for in full. Not a pleasant start to our holiday to say the least. The best the receptionist could offer was ajoining rooms the next day, so we changed rooms the next day and were offered no help by staff to move bags at 3pm when the room was ready. The food is repetitive and tasteless. I noticed a huge drop in standards since last August- the food and especially the choice really bad. I would safely say not even 3* star standard. The kids club run by TUI - staff felt it was ok to charge €10 for a private disco twice a week and tell the children before parents, hyping them up for it. This didn’t happen last year and I felt it was very bad form. They also used bad language in front of the children and when approached about it, didn’t deny it. I didn’t complain about this as I felt the staff were young but asked it not happen again. The swimming pool area was absolutely filthy the full week we were there. Food was thrown around and naturally birds, pigeons mainly, grabbing and preying on the food. The bird poo was all around too. The pool had floating (human, I assume kids) poo in it twice during our stay. Generally unkept and not clean. During our stay one of our kids wandered off from the pool. I alerted the lifeguard, who was on his phone ignoring all The kids in front of him dangerously five in and out. He looked up and shrugged his shoulders saying he wasn’t a babysitter. I got a fright when I couldn’t see my son who had a few moments earlier been in the paddling area. I was watching my 4 kids. The lifeguard felt it was more appropriate to tell me he wasn’t my children’s babysitter than be in any way vigilant or alert to a possible danger. I couldn’t believe this response and when I frantically asked him to please help his response was do you think I’m an idiot. There are just no words for this carry on. To the life guard: You definitely are not a nice person and you definitely were not doing your job properly. I wouldn’t trust you to watch my grass growing not to mention watch over the safety of pool users. The location is about a 10 minute walk to the beach, other hotels have a better location. The staff are not friendly, apart from the lovely upstairs housekeeping ladies. This hotel had gone very down hill And am so disappointed with our stay this time. We won’t be returning and I don’t recommend it. I wouldn’t book here thinking I was booking a 4 *Star hotel, it’s not. The standard would be a low 3*star at best."

"Definitely not a 4* ! Terrible hotel! There was Poo all over the floor in the lobby toilets twice. i had to go tell reception about it on two different occasions! The food is shocking! Service is shocking! Someone had a poo in the pool ! So we couldn't evan go in the pool ! Probably the worst hotel I've ever stayed in. Room had 1 plug socket! The worce entertainment! No matter how cheap this hotel is please don't book it you'll regret it. Salou on the outher hand is a brilliant place beach is lovely 😍 but I recommend booking a different hotel."

"Had a really enjoyable 4 night stay half board in the apartments across the road from the main hotel. The apartment - 3 good comfortable beds bathroom was good shower was decent nice touch was shampoo and body wash available. Fresh towers daily. The kitchenette 2 point electric hob, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave and tap was decent the only thing that let it no cutlery or glasses/cups in the room so we ended up having to 'borrow' glasses from the bar and restaurant. Facilities - Pool is well kept and lots of sunbeds and table and chairs. There was never any issue getting either and the highlight no sunbed wars and having to go down at 6am to get one. There is also a small splash area for the kids and small park area. Restaurant - they have a good range for breakfast I have 2 fussy kids but they were very happy at both sittings. Dinner was good your general bits for kids pizza chips etc. They do a theme each night so that generally gives something decent as alternative. Staff - didn't have much interactions with them apart fro. Checkin and trying to get the tickets for portaventura there was a little bit of Confusion over this but got sort quickly. There was always a life guard on duty which was excellent. Overall would happily go back lots in the local facilities nearby."