H·TOP Pineda Palace

The hotel is housed in a nondescript pale pink building right across the train tracks from the beach. The lobby is bright and generic, with a long wooden front desk, wood wall paneling, and several seating areas with plush burgundy couches placed around wood and glass coffee tables. The large windows and plants make it a little more inviting. There are also a couple of vending machines, and two computers that guests can use for an extra fee. The lobby's generic decor extends to the rest of the common spaces, all of which could use an update. The hotel’s family-friendly features -- from rooms that can sleep up to two adults and two children, to the kids’ club and the kiddy pool -- makes it a popular pick among those traveling with children.

The Pineda Palace is located in a residential area home to a few other hotels. This location is convenient both for beach-goers and for culture buffs, as the beach is just a block away, and the city center is an easy stroll away. There are several bars and restaurants within easy walking distance, and a few shops and supermarkets can be found within a few blocks. The main train station in town is just a few minutes’ walk away, which makes getting to larger towns easy and cheap. The Roman aqueduct -- built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries -- and Sant Pere de Riu, an 11th-century church, are both a quick drive away. Barcelona can be reached in under an hour, and Girona in about 40 minutes.

The hotel offers 194 rooms, many of which have ocean views. All units are spacious and bright, with large windows, flat-screen TVs (in most), and air-conditioning. Deep red comforters and dark blue curtains along with wooden furniture make for generic, classic -- though somewhat dated -- decor. Bathrooms are nice, with separate tubs and (tiny) showers, and a wide variety of hotel-brand toiletries. Guest may want to note that there are a few pesky fees, such as for use of the mini-fridge and for Wi-Fi. Some rooms can sleep up to three adults and a child, or two adults and two kids. For the best views, pick a room on the top floors, overlooking the beach.

H Top Pineda Palace has a buffet restaurant serving average fare; a bar with outdoor seating where guests can enjoy a drink, coffee or a snack al fresco, and a nightclub with live entertainment. The fitness center is a tiny, narrow space that features a handful of machines, but no mirrors or dumbbells. The space is more like a hallway, and feels like an afterthought. The hotel also offers a small spa with only a tiny whirlpool and a sauna -- but guests will have to pay an extra fee to use these facilities. The highlight here, however, is the rooftop area, which features panoramic ocean, mountain and city views, two small pools (one for kids), and a snack bar with a seating area. The kids’ club offers daily activities and entertainment. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.