Stay Smarter

Explicitly ask for a room with a view of the pool or the interior garden. These rooms are much brighter and quieter than those facing the narrow alleyways or interior service courtyards. The garden view provides a true sense of being in a private oasis.

Dinner in the "Pueblo": Most probably, your hotel will serve excellent food, either international cuisine or new Andean gourmet experiences based on local organic products. However, one night, step out into the town ("pueblo") streets and walk around until you find that special place where both locals and other travelers have decided the best meals are served this season.

Make use of being in the upper town by having dinner around the Castle at least this one night. Small restaurants such as "La Bodegueta del Pa Torrat" deliver a much more real, non-touristy experience compared with generically tourist-frontline paella houses. The mood is local here, and it's chilled.

The Urban Bus Strategy:

Ask at your accommodation about the timetable of the urban bus that connects Poble (where you are) with Platja. In summer, it is quite regular. A clever plan is to walk down to the beach in the morning-enjoying the downhill stroll-and catch a bus back up in the afternoon so as not to do an aftersun, sweaty, uphill hike. Festa Major:

If you are coming in July (Sant Pere) or September, this is when the town comes alive for its Festa Major. You could also say that the hotel is right at the heart of all noise- fireworks, music, parades- but what better way to see castellers and correfocs than from your very own balcony or just outside your front door? The "Indianos" Heritage:

Notice the architecture of the hotel. Ask someone at reception to tell you about the history of this house. Calafell has a huge Indianos history (people who went to Cuba/Americas and returned with wealth) and staying here forms part of that cultural heritage- high ceilings, tiled floors, grand staircase.