All-inclusive Salou hotels | from restorative spas to sun-drenched swimming pools

Perched within a stone’s throw of the gently lapping waves, the hotel Augustus in Cambrils serves up a fail-safe combination of sun, sea and sand. Choose a Panoramic Room to make the most of the glittering vista which you can take in from the comfort of your double bed – from the pearly sunrise to the golden sunset. Throughout the hotel, rooms are sleek and modern, with textured feature walls, cool grey or white tones and large tiled en-suite bathrooms.

Once you’ve made the most of the beachfront location, the pool awaits. With the hotel curving around the outside, both the pool and its surrounding sun terrace are shielded from the road and look out over the sea. Rest here with a fruity cocktail – or a Latin-inspired Mojito – from the outdoor bar during the day, or revive your senses on the Jacuzzi benches in the solar-heated adult’s pool. For hot or cold bites, pop indoors to the cafeteria and choose from a range of snacks and appetisers.

At dinnertime, on-site chefs put on show cooking displays in the restaurant to keep you entertained while you eat. A menu of national wines offers some of Spain’s most popular grape varieties – ask the helpful waiters for advice on the right pairing for your meal.

In the morning, before you head to the Platja del Cap de Sant Pere to try your hand at snorkelling or water skiing, tuck into the hotel’s extensive breakfast buffet to fill up on fruit, toast and cereals.

The little things often make a holiday special – which is why the four-star Mercure Ataenea Aventura focuses its services on thoughtful details. Take, for example, its policy of welcoming guests with a glass of cava upon arrival – a fine refreshment after the journey from Barcelona Airport. Even kids have plenty to keep them happy, with the PortAventura theme park – widely considered one of the most high-octane in the country – a mere five-minute drive from the hotel. Hop on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle (which runs in the summer season) and spend the morning hurtling through the air on the Dragon Khan rollercoaster, or getting soaked on the Tutuki Splash water ride.

While each room at the Mercure Atenea follows a similar calming cream colour scheme, every accommodation option has different practical and luxurious amenities. Book a cosy double for you and your partner, or embrace independence in one of the hotel’s larger apartments, complete with an extensively equipped kitchen. Prepare meals on your own time, or order the hotel’s breakfast room service on relaxed mornings. Alternatively, head to the hotel’s Restaurant Atenea to sample the seasonal Mediterranean menu on offer.

After a day at the theme park, make your way down to the hotel’s Wellness and Spa area. Treat your body to a dip in the indoor heated pool, or opt for a session in the gently massaging Jacuzzi, or the detoxifying sauna or solarium. Treatments are also available: the Chocolate and Orange Whim is an aromatic remedy for the senses – this is a top-to-toe massage with a focus on skin hydration and stimulation. On sunny days, bask in the rays by the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by leafy palms and green foliage.

Completely refurbished in 2015, the rooms at the Sol Costa Daurada are cool and tranquil retreats from the Spanish heat, with their stone-hued walls and colourful linens in sunset tones. Pick one with a balcony and soak up the views of the hotel’s shimmering lagoon pool or palm-filled garden. For even more relaxing ‘me-time’, take a trip to the Wellness Centre and slip into the heated pool, sauna or Turkish bath for a detoxifying heat treatment. Book a soothing massage with the centre’s experienced team of staff, or simply lie back with your eyes shut on one of the comfy wooden loungers along the pool’s edge to dream away the afternoon.

When you start feeling peckish, there are plenty of gastronomic options at Sol Costa Daurada. The international buffets here are themed, with certain stations specialising in authentic local dishes, should you wish to try Spanish or Catalonian cuisine. Equally, snacks range from freshly cooked pizzas indoors at the yacht club-inspired Spinnaker Bar to American-style nibbles outdoors with vistas of exotic greenery at El Mirador. For a quirky fast food fix, try Kingdom of the Pint – a British-style pub complete with vintage-style décor and cricket memorabilia adorning the walls.

Entertainment abounds at this hotel, with evening activities ranging from musicals and live performances to acrobatic displays and magic shows. For children, clubs catering to kids aged 4 to 16 comprise of environmental workshops, mini discos and arts and crafts. Adults’ creativity is encouraged, too, with mojito-making demonstrations and salsa classes hosted on a regular basis. There are also organised sports to try out: think water polo tournaments, archery or rifle shooting, and Olympic team games.

With an area reserved for over-18s on the sixth floor, and facilities for children throughout the rest of the complex, Dorada Palace has options for couples and families alike. Its central location in Salou adds to the variety – the long Levant Beach is a 15-minute walk in one direction, while PortAventura theme park is an eight-minute drive in the other.

While you recline on a sun bed gazing at the postcard-worthy views of the Costa Daurada, under-18s can join in the fun at the on-site kids’ club. With your little ones fully entertained, nip to the salon for a rejuvenating massage, or take a dip in the swimming pool or Jacuzzi. The over-18s area even has its own roof-top pool with a sweeping view of Salou which you can survey from the comfort of your lounger. For an afternoon stroll with your family in tow, head to the nearby Catalan Masia market. Here, you’ll discover craft stalls, caricaturists and plenty of playgrounds for children to enjoy while you shop for souvenirs.

To treat yourself or your partner, book one of the hotel’s Superior Rooms. You’ll be welcomed with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and pastries upon arrival before being shown to your spacious accommodation, which comes with a hydromassage bathtub, big enough for two. Meanwhile, the large apartments have handy kitchenettes with cooking facilities and lounge areas with comfy sofas – ideal for family holidays.

At dinner time, make your way to the hotel’s international buffet restaurant, which serves options as diverse as Japanese sushi and European cheeses. A children’s buffet is laid out for mini holidaymakers so kids can quickly refuel, ready for another session of ping pong or billiards in the colourful games room.

City and beach life combine at this award-winning hotel, located in Salou’s bustling shopping district. When you’re not browsing the nearby souvenir boutiques, take a short 10-minute stroll from your accommodation down to Llevant beach – one of the most popular stretches of coastline in the local area. Here, you’ll find water-sports vendors vying with cool cocktail bars for space along the boardwalk and plenty of pristine beaches upon which to lay your towel for the day.

If the location wasn’t enough, H10 Delfin is an adults-only hotel with an over-16s policy – ideal if you’re after a quiet romantic holiday with your partner. Spend a few hours bathing in the sun or resting under palm trees in one of the hotel’s two pool areas, where wooden decks have views of the glittering Balearic Sea. If you fancy a light refreshment, there’s no need to leave the water’s edge: a waiter will come and take your order and return with a cold drink or snack.

At mealtimes, the hotel offers a varied selection of culinary experiences. Watch chefs whip up colourful meals in front of you at the Blancafort buffet restaurant, where international and Mediterranean cuisine is laid out in an artful fashion. For an after-dinner tipple head to the recently refurbished Dry & Blue Bar, with its marble flooring and plush white leather chairs. At teatime, there’s the quaint Mike’s Coffee, where you can have an espresso and a hot home-made pastry on the shady terrace.

Accommodation options at H10 Delfín range from cosy doubles to spacious suites, all of which have air conditioning. In each suite, large patio doors open up onto roomy terraces furnished with loungers, where you can benefit from a touch of privacy while you sunbathe.