Have you ever been the last one to read the book everyone’s raving about – The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl maybe? Going to Cambrils Park in Northern Spain was a bit like that for me – at least a dozen people had told me how fantastic it is, and I arrived worrying that it wouldn’t live up to the hype.
I know people who go back there year after year, and people who’d like to try somewhere new, but are afraid it won’t be as good. And now having been here, I finally get it. I think it’s because Cambrils offers many of the facilities of a good campsite, but with much better accommodation than your average mobile home. In fact, it’s one of the best places we’ve stayed, and ticked all the boxes bar one, more of which below.
A1 for Accommodation
We’ve stayed in mobile homes for five years in a row now, and having spent two weeks in a Bonita Villa in Cambrils – a cheerful yellow wooden cabin with high ceilings and a lot more space than we’re used to, I can already see that we’ll find it tough to go back to mobiles next year. (To get technical: it’s 65 square meters, compared to about 25 square meters last year in a Eurocamp mobile home in Marina di Venezia.)
Our Bonita Villa was one of my favourite things about this holiday – I think the space made a much bigger difference to our enjoyment than I anticipated. There was less crankiness all round – whether it was because everyone was a year older and wiser, or because we weren’t tripping over one another, or just a fluke, I don’t know. We had a patio outside where we ate all our meals (on really lovely garden furniture) and everything inside and outside felt clean and pretty. In short, I loved it.
The Bonita Villas stand out as they’re all painted in bright yellow, blue, green or red, and wandering between them to go to or from the pool is something to enjoy in its own right. We were in a corner house with a big grass area out front and to the side, put to good use for much cartwheeling and lying around in the sun.
There are also Aloha log cabins (a little smaller than Bonita), and Mediterranean apartments (in a variety of sizes going up to a three-bed apartment that sleeps 8.)
Campsite size – a win for kids of all ages
Cambrils Park is small compared to the huge Italian campsites we stayed in the last two years – the whole perimeter is less than 2km, and kids can wander freely up and down paths between houses. We were able to send our three (aged 9, 8, and 5) to the bakery for pastries and coffees for us – that alone would entice me back.
Pools – a hit with this grown-up
I loved the pools – specifically the Mediterranean Pool which is a shallow-ish saltwater pool with a manmade beach on both sides. It’s beautiful to look at and the calmest of the three pool complexes. (Also, we could still get a lounger there after 11am.)
The kids preferred the busier Caribbean Pool with its slides and pirate ship. The third pool complex is the Polynesian Pool and one of the highlights was swimming to the pool-bar on the last day to have an ice-cream.
This one is busy – we never once got a lounger there, but there are lovely restaurant tables with umbrellas just beside the baby pool and we always got a spot there.
Night-time entertainment a mixed bag
Some of the night-time entertainment is a bit cheesy and not entirely suitable for children, but there’s a disco every night where all the kids get up on stage and my littlest loved it. The atmosphere at night is really, really good, and because the site is small and everything is quite centralised, you have a sense that everyone is in the one spot, enjoying the same event.
The stage is in the Polynesian Pool, and people sit at stepped tables outside the main bar/ restaurant – it means you can go down for an ice-cream or a gin and tonic and enjoy the show or completely ignore it; it’s all good.
Food – the unticked box
The food in Cambrils Park isn’t great. We didn’t know this before we went, though having chatted to many people since, it seems that we were the only ones who didn’t know this. It meant we had to drive down to Cambrils Port to eat, or barbecue, or get take-out (the takeaway food is quite good). We had some lovely meals out in Cambrils Port but it would be good to have the option of great food on site too.
Barbecues don’t come as standard – you can buy one in the site shop for €30 or find a nice person to pass one on to you when they’re leaving (thanks Paul for ours!)
Shops that do tick the box
The supermarket on site is great – all the basics and more (plus cheap shower gel and shampoo so you don’t have to pack it if you don’t want to). There’s a bakery beside the supermarket with great cakes and pastries and takeaway coffees – our kids loved going there on their own to buy bread and donuts. There’s also a good shop with swimwear, flip-flops, sun-cream, toys, inflatables for the pool, souvenirs and the all-important purses and bracelets my kids *need* to buy every time we go on holidays. Oh yes, and did I mention the sparkling Rosé for €3?
Cambrils town
You can walk to Cambrils town from the park but the loveliest part of the town is the port, and that’s further away. We had rented a car so we drove there, but you could get a taxi or bus (or walk if your children are good at long walks – mine are not). We visited during the day the first time we went, and it was too hot to enjoy it properly – it was week two before we went at night, and realised that that’s when it really comes alive. There are dozens and dozens of little shops selling jewellery and beachwear and clothes and bags, plus ice-cream shops and restaurants every few steps on the busy streets. There’s a wonderful buzz at night, and you don’t need a plan – you can just wander the streets stopping for ice-cream or coffee or the all important souvenir purses and bracelets.
We ate out in four different restaurants and here’s what we thought:
This was my favourite and my husband’s too – it was recommended by a friend (thanks Mary!) who has been before, but it doesn’t have a kids’ menu and there’s a lot of expensive looking glassware, so we passed on it at first. Then towards the end of the holiday we were meeting friends from home for dinner and everywhere else we checked was either closed or booked out, so we tried Trastavere. We had an outdoor table on the rooftop terrace overlooking the port, and it almost didn’t matter what the food was like, the setting was so lovely.
But the food was great – easily the best meal we had on the holiday. The kids were less excited – no kids’ menu, no colouring, and “too grown-up” but they conceded that the food was very good.
This is very popular – we tried booking twice and were told it was booked out. It’s a crowd-pleaseing kind of place, with steaks, chicken, burgers, fajitas, and a kids’ menu. It’s not Spanish-y but the food is pretty good and the kids loved it, especially the Oreo milkshakes.
Pasta E Basta
This is pizza and pasta, similar to pizza and pasta restaurants anywhere, so again not particularly Spanish, but the food is tasty and our kids loved it. The pasta on the kids’ menu is great, especially when they’re tired of the nuggets-or-burger options. The Afogato on the dessert menu is very nice too… Beware, if you order the house red wine, it may come chilled (but you can ask for room temperature).
We had promised the kids tapas and were advised to try Lekitio. We sat in the restaurant as there were no free tables in the bar, and ordered from the a la carte menu, but stuck to tapas. We ordered patatas bravas, cod croquettes, two types of prawns, and mussels. We should have realised the prawns would come like this:
But we didn’t. The kids filled up on bread, olives, and patatas bravas and avoided what they called “a table full of dead fish”. So a good spot, but take care when ordering!
The Beach
You can walk to the beach from Cambrils Park – it’s about 1km but not the most scenic walk. Alternatively you can drive down towards the port and access the beach at any spot along the way, or drive to nearby Salou.
Theme Parks – the best bit
We spent a day at Port Aventura which I’ll review in a separate post but all three kids said it was the best day of the holidays.
We also went to the water park in Port Aventura. My verdict is that it was a six-hour endurance test of bumped heads, sunburnt shoulders, not great food, no space, too many people, slippery floors and nowhere to sit. My three small kids and their big-kid dad absolutely loved it.
Getting around – do you need a car?
No, you don’t – you can get a taxi down to Cambrils Port, and though we drove to the giant Esclat supermarket, you can easily get away with buying food in the onsite shop. We rented a car because we flew to Barcelona (an hour’s drive away) whereas most people fly into Reus, a much closer airport. I was glad we had the car for popping downtown, for going to the theme park and water park, and to the supermarket, but it wasn’t critical.
The verdict
So what’s the verdict on Cambrils Park? Is it like the book you don’t read until everyone else has – the one that doesn’t live up to the hype? No, I think it’s more like the book you really, really enjoy; the book that sets the bar higher, the book against which you measure all future books. There are people who go back year after year – some for twelve years in a row, and having tried it for twelve nights, I can see how it could be addictive.
PS If you know of somewhere with lovely accommodation and great campsite facilities and fab food, please let me know – we’re still searching!
Wow, those pools look amazing. I suppose I haven’t been on a European campsite since 1989 or so, and things have changed.
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The kids were asking why there were no Americans there – I said that if Americans come to Europe it’s to see cities and sights, not stay in campsites, and that they have their own campsites in the US – is that the case? Are there places like this over there?
Great review. We stayed in sanguli, it’s sister park. And similarly the food was a let down. Loved everything else about it though. So safe and clean. We were there in Sept so the entertainment wasn’t nightly but it was very good. Thinking of an Italian campsite for our next family holiday. Any suggestions? How do they compare price wise for food, drink etc?
My attention has been drawn back to this post by a new comment and I’m only seeing your comment now – apologies! We’ve stayed in Norcenni Girosole in Tuscany and Marino di Venezia near Venice – we absolutely loved both. Food and drink were really good (very much a highlight of the trip) and the prices for food and drink were good too. We are going back to Italy next year – I guess that’s a recommendation in itself! I really missed having good food this year…
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
oh you are the first person I know to say about food onsite, that is so disappointing. We were meant to go this summer but have hopefully planned to go next but with the two of us being foodies I will take your tips and go down town to eat! Overall I am delighted to hear you saying what everyone else does,it’s a great family spot, and I cannot wait to bring the twin! (outside of nighttime entertainment mishaps )
Yes I wish I’d known about the food before we went. But downtown is lovely, and actually I’ve heard the fish restaurant on site (near the Med Pool) is good – we didn’t try that one as it looked less family-oriented. For food holidays, I can highly recommend holidaying in Italian campsites!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
I love reading your campsite reviews. As a relative newcomer to all this it’s great to get your highs and lows on different locations. We’ve been twice to sanguli, right next door to cambrills park,very similar and while I think we’ve been biten by the bug I love to read about other sites. We did try one other site further on from Cambrills playa Montroig which was very nice too. Cambrills park and sanguli are gone so popular now too that you nearly need to book a year in advance to get a choice of accommodation.
Yes we booked Cambrils a year before we went, and when we were there this year, there were people in reception every day trying to book for next year!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
I have been eyeing this resort for possible next year but the only thing that puts me off is the food.
I am that kind of person who likes their food handed. I’m busy enough at home cooking and handling all the household. It’s supposed to be a holiday after all. For that reason I’d love a buffet for breakfast and dinner aka half board. I looked into this for this place before and it doesn’t seem to be cheap.
Yes I think the half-board option here is expensive and possibly not ideal if the food might be better downtown. BBQ is also an option!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
We’ve stayed there twice and my only complaint is the food. It had improved this year but it could be so much better. I also felt the staff were a little stiff. We stayed in an apartment this year and I much preferred. Hubbie and son said they preferred the Villa Bonita! Great review.
Yes I’ve noticed some complaints about staff (e.g. on Facebook) – we had nothing to compare it to so thought it was just the usual thing where staff on campsites are a bit tired of the tourists! I wonder has it disproved over the years maybe? I’ve heard the apartments are fab!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Hi – review sounds great, can I ask does Bonita Villa have 3 bedrooms or did one of your kids sleep on the sofa and how did that work for you (am sure they enjoyed it !!)?
Hi Amanda, it has two bedrooms, so my youngest slept on a large couch cushion on the floor of the kids’ bedroom. When we go away, he always goes to sleep in our room first (because he keeps the older two awake if he’s in with them) and then each night we laid out the couch cushion and transferred him in. The room was big enough to manage it no problem and the kids were happy – they’re 9, 8, and 5. Sleeping on the couch would be an option too, but I felt more secure having my little guy in a bedroom rather than out in the living room. Hope that helps!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Hi do they have any other on site activities. We have been to La Sirene in France a few times and they have great on site activities for the kids like archery, tennis courts, huge playgrounds, crazy golf, bike hire etc. Are their similar activities on site in Cambrils? Great review by the way.
Hi Marie, I’ve heard La Sirene is fab – lots of people rave about it! So Cambrils has some activities – there’s crazy golf, there’s a trampoline, football every night (when we were there anyway), a playground, bike hire and yes I think I saw tennis courts though I’m not 100% sure. So lots to do, though not as much as on the big Italian campsites, and they also don’t have a kids club per se – they were running art and craft sessions in the afternoons when we were there but I think parents have to stay/ stay nearby. There’s also a mini disco in the pool at lunchtime each day and another near the pool in the evening. Overall though the campsite is smaller than some of the really big ones, so not quite as many activities. Hope that helps!
Andrea Mara | Office Mum recently posted…Octobering
Hi, I have read your review, and I have to agree. Cambrils park is great, we have been there twice, but the food is less.
Next year, we want ro try something else. We have one daughter of 4 (will be 5 next holiday), and we have already been looking for some great alternative for Cambrils. We prefer a park site rather than a site where camping is also allowed. Preferably bungalows like the villa bonita.
Does anybody has any suggestion? Does not mather where its located (spain again, italy, france, as long as it is hot in the summer 😉 ). Any suggestion would be great! Thanks!
Steve from Belgium.
It’s the eternal question – somewhere as good as Cambrils but elsewhere! We stayed in Marina di Venezia near Venice last year and in addition to mobile homes they have bungalows, and I believe Bella Italia near Lake Garda also has bungalows. I don’t now what they’re like inside or if they’re as nice as the Bonita but worth a look online? Good luck!
How did you work sleeping arrangements?? Did one child sleep in living room? I always prefer kids in bedroom so that the living space is kept free at night etc. Thanks. Have booked Cambrils for Aug, very expensive and getting nervous!!
Hi, I am the same – I prefer to keep the kids in bedrooms! So we took a giant cushion off the couch every night and laid it out on the floor of the kids’ bedroom, and my five year old slept there. And was perfect for him. We put it back on the couch each morning then. You will have a lovely time there – enjoy!
Hi Andrea,
Sounds like a fantastic holiday. We are hoping to do basically the same thing this coming season.
Great post thank you.
Cheers Sharon…
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Hi there, we’ve just booked Cambrils for next year after staying in Norcenni for past couple of years. Had a fab holiday there last year but didn’t enjoy so much this year so we decided to try Cambrils. Like you, we are a family of 5 and always hired a car in Italy for lovely day drips out. We’re going to fly into Barcelona next year as flights to Reus seem to be extortionate! Do you have any tips on when to book flights or who to hire a car through to get the best value? Thanks!
Hi Louisa,
Sorry for the delay in replying! I checked with my husband – he is the chief holiday researcher/ car hire booker/ flight booker, and he said that the car hire places were all similar in price, your best bet is to try a few different ones for quotes. I think car hire was cheaper in Spain than in Italy – we’re going to Italy this year and not booking a car. Re. flights, we booked ours in Autumn when we were going, but you could wing it (pardon the pun) and wait until a couple of months before to get a deal – we’re just not brave enough to risk it! I do remember car hire being pretty straight forward – we could just walk out from arrivals and over to the car hire place in the airport. It was much easier than it was in Pisa airport when we had to get a shuttle bus. Hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions!
Andrea
Hi Andrea, Cambrils sounds fantastic. How does it compare price wise to the other campsites you’ve stayed in?
Hi Susan,
It’s more expensive – I can’t remember the details now, but I know we only stayed 12 nights because the way it was going to work out (in terms of flights plus two extra nights) it was going to cost a LOT more to do two weeks.
But you get more for your money in terms of accommodation – the houses are definitely superior to mobile homes you get in most campsites. The cost is usually quoted on a per-night basis, so you could check what it is there and then ask the same in other campsites and it would give you a sense of it.
Hope that helps!
Andrea
hi
I have been to cambrils around 6 times. I have 4 sons and it was our home from home, loved everything about it. Yes, million dollar question is “where can I find a resort like Cambrils.?When I look at other hotels or apartments my mind wanders to those best moments on holiday which were sitting having lunch at the table outside our our Bonita bunglow with kids sprawled on the grass ,even the 5 star hotels don’t offer this! As my kids got older we enjoyed it even more as my husband and I headed off on our own on bikes stopping at the marina for a wine. It was like we hadn’t been there before, as kids get older take a Catamaran out……so much fun with teenagers!!!
It’s so lovely to hear about your experience! I have such happy memories of our time there, and yes, that area outside each house is second-to-none. We looked at apartments this year, but not having space to sit out and relax put us off. We are trying a house rental… we’ll see how it works out!