Hotel Estival Park and Apartments

Staff was lovely, but if you are visiting as time share exchange guests, be aware that the description on the RCI exchange system is misleading. Off-season check-in was stressful, as the hotel that dominates the complex was closed. Check-in took place in the sports center within the large property, requiring a long and navigating around sidewalks and stairs under seasonal renovation. Good location across from the beach, with the excellent restaurants "La Tagliatelle" and a small supermarket close by. Otherwise, establishments in the immediate area are closed for the season, but there are cafes and additional markets within a few blocks. Bus stop for convenient direct service into Tarragona is across from the property on the beach road. Nice indoor pool available for time share guests. The property apparently includes a membership sports/swim club; the larger pool & fitness center are for club members only. Living room/dining/kitchen area in our 2-bedroom apartment was quite spacious, with two full size sofas. Bedrooms were a bit small, but there was also storage furniture/space in the living area. We were disappointed that there was only one bathroom for an apartment rated for 6 guests. A clothes washer was a welcome amenity, although there was no dryer.

We stayed at Estival in their apartment section through an RCI arrangement as part of our Barcelona/Tarragona vacation. We’d stayed at the Hilton Barcelona for a few days prior to staying here so this review is reflective of that experience. We knew we’d be coming in at a time when most things are closed in this beachfront resort town. We mostly needed a place to stay for the nights as we’d do multiple day trips along the Costa Daurada area and beyond. The location is great for folks who like the beach and want to be able to walk to bars, restaurants and supermarkets. All are within 15 minute walk while access to autoroute to Tarragona runs just behind the hotel. For longer treks without car, signs are posted with taxi costs for the area just towards the beach. We underestimated just how basic the accommodations were. The apartment was clean, but dark, austere, in need of some repairs, equipped with absolute basics for the kitchen and bath (bring your knife sharpener, tumblers for coffee/tea unless wanting single/double espresso size), beds were just adequate but we never felt truly rested... and the list goes on. The apartment got serviced every day but with bare minimum so you still do your own dishes and mop if you are particular (like we were). We used the gym and jacuzzi side of the indoor pools (rest were closed for maintenance) during our stay for an extra cost of 8 euros / visit for the gym while the use of the jacuzzi pools was free. You need to either have on you or purchase swim caps at the reception (3-5 euros / cap depending on material). You are strongly recommended to bring a towel with you to the gym as well for hygiene reasons. The gym is well equipped, adequate even for an avid athlete. The wifi is absolutely pathetic at the apartments (we stayed at the 4000 series side facing the Palais Pineda) - don’t bother with the Premium (14 euros per week) as it simply won’t work any better than the basic free one. Very inconvenient when having to complete necessary tasks over the Internet. The hotels were closed so we don’t know how those compare to the apartments but we’d not stay again at this hotel complex if considering another non-beach vacation in the Costa Daurada area. Rather, we’d stay in Reus, Tarragona or other less touristy areas and enjoy the Catalan vibe by foot vs by car. Tip: Condis Express - 20 min walk along the beachfront - is a small, fairly well equipped supermarket open when many others are not.