The Costa Dorada, the “golden coast” south of Barcelona, has long sandy beaches, shallow water and PortAventura, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks. It is a brilliant choice for families, while quieter Cambrils, La Pineda and historic Tarragona suit couples.
These ten hotels are the ones our guests rate most highly, including several adults-only choices and hotels with theme-park tickets included.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Ten top hotels with photos and ratings
- Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda or Tarragona?
- PortAventura tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Punta Dorada | Cap Salou, Costa Dorada | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Instants Boutique Hotel | Cambrils, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.5/5 | Yes |
| Mansion De Lucy (PortAventura) | PortAventura Salou, Costa Dorada | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| H10 Imperial Tarraco | Tarragona, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.4/5 | No |
| Golden Costa Salou | La Pineda, Costa Dorada | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.4/5 | Yes |
| Hotel Monica | Cambrils, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| H10 Salauris Palace (PortAventura) | Salou, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| Ohtels Villa Romana (PortAventura) | Salou, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Full Board, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
| Oassium Hotel by Estival | La Pineda, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.2/5 | Yes |
| H10 Mediterranean Village (PortAventura) | Cap Salou, Costa Dorada | 4★ | Half Board | 4.2/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. Best Punta Dorada
- Cap Salou, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Best Punta Dorada in Cap Salou has bright, spacious rooms, great facilities and a tranquil atmosphere.
Best for: A calm Salou base
2. Instants Boutique Hotel
- Cambrils, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Instants Boutique Hotel in Cambrils is small and welcoming, with a central location and a tranquil atmosphere.
Best for: Couples
3. Mansion De Lucy (PortAventura)
- PortAventura Salou, Costa Dorada
- 5-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Five-star Mansión de Lucy has a luxurious Victorian style, with unlimited PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land entry included and discounted entry to Caribe Aquatic Park.
Best for: Theme-park luxury
4. H10 Imperial Tarraco
- Tarragona, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
H10 Imperial Tarraco in Tarragona has amazing sea views, a rooftop plunge pool and lots of character, in an excellent location for the Roman sights.
Best for: History and views
5. Golden Costa Salou
- La Pineda, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Golden Costa Salou in La Pineda is close to the beach, with a rooftop pool, and it is perfect for couples.
Best for: Adults-only beach stay
6. Hotel Monica
- Cambrils, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Small and friendly Hotel Monica in Cambrils has a central location and a rejuvenating spa, and it is great for cycling.
Best for: Cyclists
7. H10 Salauris Palace (PortAventura)
- Salou, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
H10 Salauris Palace is close to PortAventura, with theme-park tickets included, a chill-out terrace with whirlpool, and it is great for families.
Best for: Families
8. Ohtels Villa Romana (PortAventura)
- Salou, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Ohtels Villa Romana has a children’s splash park, excellent spa facilities and PortAventura tickets included.
Best for: Splash park and spa
9. Oassium Hotel by Estival
- La Pineda, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.2/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Oassium Hotel in La Pineda is close to the beach, with a peaceful spa and a relaxing atmosphere.
Best for: Spa for two
10. H10 Mediterranean Village (PortAventura)
- Cap Salou, Costa Dorada
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.2/5
H10 Mediterranean Village in Cap Salou has a modern style, great entertainment, a children’s splash park and PortAventura tickets included.
Best for: Entertainment
Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda or Tarragona?
Salou: lively, with golden beaches, a seafront promenade and PortAventura on the doorstep. Cap Salou: quieter coves and pine-fringed headlands just south of the centre. Cambrils: a working fishing port famous for its seafood restaurants, with a more relaxed feel. La Pineda: a long beach and Aquopolis waterpark. Tarragona: a historic city with a Roman amphitheatre overlooking the sea.
PortAventura tips
PortAventura World includes PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park. Several of the hotels in this guide include park tickets, which is excellent value for families. Visit on a weekday if you can, arrive at opening time for the biggest rides, and save the waterpark for the hottest afternoon. Many families split their week between park days and beach days.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 26 hotels in the Costa Dorada. To build this list we started with every hotel on the coast, then read what our guests say: every hotel here is well rated on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different areas where we can, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
When to go and what to eat
June to September is best for the beach, with July and August hot and busy; May and late September are great for couples and cyclists. Flights to Reus take around two and a quarter hours from the UK, and Salou is about 15 minutes from the airport; Barcelona is an alternative, about an hour and a quarter away. In Cambrils, try fresh seafood, arròs negre (black rice) and the region’s famous calçots with romesco sauce in early spring. Priorat and Montsant wines are made just inland.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salou or Cambrils better?
Salou for families and theme parks; Cambrils for a quieter, foodie stay.
Which hotels include PortAventura tickets?
Mansión de Lucy, H10 Salauris Palace, Ohtels Villa Romana and H10 Mediterranean Village all include tickets.
Which airport do I fly to?
Reus, about 15 minutes from Salou, or Barcelona, about an hour and a quarter away.
Are there adults-only hotels on the Costa Dorada?
Yes, including Instants Boutique Hotel, Golden Costa Salou and Oassium Hotel.
Find your Costa Dorada holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- All Costa Dorada hotels
- Spain holidays
- Best hotels on the Costa Brava
- Best hotels on the Costa Blanca
- Best luxury family resorts
- Best hotels in Barcelona
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
