PortAventura Hotel Gold River — Hotel in Vila-seca

We stayed for 2 nights, half board-myself a 14 year old and my 55 year old mother.||The western theme is just brilliant, every detail even down to the music in the corridors is themed. Resort was quiet, felt like the start of the season, gradually got busier everyday but was enough people to have a nice atmosphere.||Room 3020 was ground floor, clean and spacious, powerful shower which we appreciated after a long day of rides. Great location, quick walk to main buffet, quick access to theme park and a lot of great rides.right next to unchartered.||We had a kitchenette but nothing to use it. There was a microwave but it was not powerful. We paid €30 deposit for a kettle. The beds were comfortable but we needed extra blankets because only thin sheets were provided. These were quickly provided by reception.||There was a small children's playground where the hotels meet, All the hotels have a different feel and seem more modern than the one we stayed in. ||food:|They are very strict on breakfast times, we came in the last 20mins of our slot on the first day, we don't need more than that to eat but felt pressure to come earlier and leave early as soon as we arrived. The restaurant was quiet so this felt a little unnecessary and we left on time. ||Breakfast was as expected. Boiled or scrambled eggs, mushrooms were really nice, bacon, sausages, no beans. Cold bar with meats cheeses etc, bread and pastry bar with different breads and sweet treats. Coffees and herbal teas but no hot chocolate, concentrated juice . Fresh fruit juices were nice, yoghurt with toppings.||Buffet dinner in the main restaurant was nice on the first day but the quality was different on the second night eg the fish was too salty the second night. Really enjoyed the fish and paella. There|was also burgers, chips and pizza.|The salad bar was varied and the dessert bar had a mixture of fruits, desserts and sweets. One night, the dessert bar was pink themed,  celebrating someone's birthday. There was a pink strawberry chocolate fountain with multiple items to dip. A nice touch and big hit in the dining room.|You have multiple options for dinner when half board or full board, just use the app to book but I would think twice about this following my experience and ask for vouchers. Our best dinner was in Ferrari land. ||customer service:|from the very beginning, the communication with this hotel was poor. the lack of transparency between the hotel and third parties meant that I thought l could pay the hotel and on two separate occasions was asked to pay before or my booking would be cancelled. It was then cancelled despite me making a full payment. Extremely stressful with my booking only being confirmed 48 hours to our arrival.||Communication also lacked on arrival. Meals are booked via a website, we booked the Opera al a carte restaurant. only to arrive to a closed restaurant and no way to rebook for the buffet.||Receptions first response was to go back and wait 30mins. No attempt to find out from the restaurant or anybody what had happened.I had to ask a bar member who called the restaurant to confirm that is was closed for the night. This happened to multiple people but the hotels response to a particular customer was quite frankly disgusting.||A couple with 2 young children had travelled to the hotel from another portaventura hotel, understandably hungry, tired and were upset that they were not informed about the restaurant being closed before they came. They asked for the manager as the receptionists response was for them to go back to the hotel. No empathy, no apology and definitely not a solution I would expect from a 4 star hotel. In short the situation escalated with the manager threatening to call security and the police. Completely shocking and unnecessary.||I would have expected to be offered dinner ONSITE with a transfer back afterwards, NOT to be told that I must return to my hotel with two hungry children and have dinner there.||This lack of care and over reactive response from multiple members of staff was very disappointing. We felt the need to stay just to support the family because of the way staff chose to handle things.||I was offered free drinks and a buffet dinner, which I declined and had to suggest my own solution, which was also free lunch the next day. Again disappointing that I had to think of a fair alternative.||Outside of the reception staff involved above, everybody else did a great job.||One night we saw the evening entertainment at the saloon which was fun and lively.||Overall a good stay but I would think twice about staying at Gold River specifically.||there are multiple hotels on this western site, I would definitely try the others although they are further away from...

We booked a weeks stay at Hotel Gold River for October half term. This was our 1st time holidaying outside of Florida, Disney and Universal for many year so expectations were high!

1st impressions

The theming of this hotel is really excellent. On par with some higher end Disney/universal hotels....obvious it was a universal hotel in a past life. The whole theme is wild west with external room building appropriately styled. Worth a wander round. The staff were all friendly, approachable and helpful speaking a good level of English.

Location The hotel is around a 5 minute walk from the park with its own private entrance. This entrance accesses Portatura World. Access to Ferrari Land is via the park but on the opposite side of the park, around a 15 minute walk. We wanted to visit Barcelona one day but the trains ended up being too much hassle....there are 2 stations. Villa Seca which is closest but has limited trains, and also then Tarragona which would be a 25 min taxi ride.

We walked into Salou to the beach on 2 occasions, this took around 20 minutes and was a very easy find.

Tranfer time The hotel is only around a 30 minute transfer from Reus airport which was perfect.

Luggage On arrival we couldn't access our room until 3pm so left our luggage in the baggage store. This is a paid for facility and it cost us €12 for 2 lockers.

Room Our rooms was in the main building so I cant comment on the others. Our room was big enough (it was a standard room) with 2 Queen size beds, Ensuite, TV in the room and a view into the park. The TV worked but was exclusively Spanish TV with no Internet option so we didn't use it. May be an idea to bring a firestick maybe.

Our room began to get very warm on and evening....I queried this with reception and asked if the aircon was off....they said there is no aircon in the rooms.... It got hot...very got. The bathroom also does not have an extractor fan so after 3 of use had showers the room was very damp.. Don't leave clothing in there.

There is a wardrobe with ample shelving and hanging space and a free safe in the wardrobe.

Food and drink. The only facilities open during our stay were the bar and main buffet. The bar is quite small but was never really overcrowded during our visit, again this could be due to the time of year. The beers are cheap enough (this could be me being used to florida prices) but €4.50 for a large beer. The bar sells sandwiches, toasties and snacks. There is a pool table for €2 also and outside seating. The staff were always friendly and pleasant and speak enough English to assist.

The buffet restaurant has set breakfast times which you have to prebook and then our evening meal was anytime between 1930-2230. The queues get long but access is quick. The only way I can describe the buffet is chaos. There are so many people, some cultures seem to be opposed to queuing or allowing others to walk through a space so it is chaos. Its loud and hectic, and was quite warm also. The breakfast selection is good, cooked options (Spanish sausage and bacon....because you're in Spain....don't expect Cumberland and back bacon). Fruit, cereal, toast, breads, yogurt, cakes, pancakes and churros. The churros are amazing. Coffee and toast queues get long....my tip....use the ones at the far side, less queue. And use the toaster at the artisan bread stand.

Evening meal is ok, we ate here for the first 4 nights then couldn't stomach it again because of th3 chaos and lack of choice for us peraonally beyond burgers and pasta. If you like seafood you'll be find....seafood noodles, seafood paella, calamari, seafood nuggets. It just wasnt for us.

Overall. We enjoyed our stay. As the pools and water park were closed due to the time of the year a week here was a little too long I think. The aircon and bathroom issues let the hotel down but I think if you have never stayed in a themed hotel before you...

I'm an independent travel agent, here's my honest review as a paying customer. We stayed for 2 nights, half board-myself a 14 year old and my 55 year old mother.

the western theme is just brilliant, every detail even down to the music in the corridors is well thought out. Great pools, not ice cold and easy access to the park, right next to unchartered.

Room 3020 was ground floor, clean and spacious, powerful shower which we appreciated after a long day of rides.

We had a kitchenette but nothing to use it. There was a microwave but it was not powerful. We paid €30 deposit for a kettle. The beds were comfortable but we needed extra blankets because only thin sheets were provided. These were quickly provided by reception.

food: Breakfast was as expected. Boiled or scrambled eggs, mushrooms were really nice, bacon, sausages, no beans. Cold bar with meats cheeses etc, bread and pastry bar with different breads and sweet treats. Coffees and herbal teas but no hot chocolate, concentrated juice . Fresh fruit juices were nice, yoghurt with toppings.

Buffet dinner in the main restaurant was nice on the first day but the quality was different on the second night eg the fish was too salty the second night. Really enjoyed the fish and paella. There was also burgers, chips and pizza. The salad bar was varied and the dessert bar had a mixture of fruits, desserts and sweets. One night, the dessert bar was pink themed,  celebrating someone's birthday. There was a pink strawberry chocolate fountain with multiple items to dip. A nice touch and big hit in the dining room.

customer service: from the very beginning, the communication with this hotel was poor. the lack of transparency between the hotel and third parties meant that I thought l could pay the hotel and on two separate occasions was asked to pay before or my booking would be cancelled. It was then cancelled despite me making a full payment. Extremely stressful with my booking only being confirmed 48 hours to our arrival.

Communication also lacked on arrival. Meals are booked via a website, we booked the Opera al a carte restaurant. only to arrive to a closed restaurant and no way to rebook for the buffet.

Receptions first response was to go back and wait 30mins. No attempt to find out from the restaurant or anybody what had happened.I had to ask a bar member who called the restaurant to confirm that is was closed for the night. This happened to multiple people but the hotels response to a particular customer was quite frankly disgusting.

A couple with 2 young children had travelled to the hotel from another portaventura hotel, understandably hungry, tired and were upset that they were not informed about the restaurant being closed before they came. They asked for the manager as the receptionists response was for them to go back to the hotel. No empathy, no apology and definitely not a solution I would expect from a 4 star hotel. In short the situation escalated with the manager threatening to call security and the police. Completely shocking and unnecessary.

I would have expected to be offered dinner ONSITE with a transfer back afterwards, NOT to be told that I must return to my hotel with two hungry children and have dinner there.

This lack of care and over reactive response from multiple members of staff was very disappointing. We felt the need to stay just to support the family because of the way staff chose to handle things.

I was offered free drinks and a buffet dinner, which I declined and had to suggest my own solution, which was also free lunch the next day. Again disappointing that I had to think of a fair alternative.

Outside of the reception staff involved above, everybody else did a great job.

One night we saw the evening entertainment at the saloon which was fun and lively.

Overall a good stay but I would think twice about staying at Gold River...