Costa Brava Camping Getaway: Unbelievable Solmar 1 Deal! (Belvilla by OYO)
Costa Brava Camping Getaway: Unbelievable Solmar 1 Deal! (Belvilla by OYO) - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Solmar 1 deal at Costa Brava Camping Getaway (Belvilla by OYO), and frankly, my brain is still slightly sandy. Let's dive in, shall we? This isn't your polished, perfectly-curated travel blog post, this is the real, slightly-sunburned deal.
Accessibility: (Did they remember ramps exist?)
Look, I didn’t actually need accessibility features, but I did try to peek around for a friend’s sake (she uses a wheelchair) and… well, let’s just say it’s a mixed bag. The website says "facilities for disabled guests," but how readily available were they? I am not sure, I didn't see many obvious ramps around the main areas, but that doesn't mean it's impossible, I'd advise some thorough pre-trip investigating if accessibility is crucial for you. This isn't a deal breaker but needs some consideration.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: (Or, can you wheel into the paella?)
Again, I didn’t scope this out personally, but I did see a few potential obstacles in certain areas. The layout, with its various levels and the potential for tight spaces within restaurants, might pose problems. I'd recommend contacting them directly to inquire about specific accessibility features in their dining areas. Be prepared for those "can you squeeze by?" scenarios.
Wheelchair Accessible: (See above…)
Yeah, not a definitive "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" from me. More like a raised eyebrow and a hesitant “maybe with some serious legwork beforehand.” Definitely call and interrogate them if this is a must for you!
Internet Access: (Because, duh, we need to Insta-brag.)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – Thank the internet Gods! Okay, so the Wi-Fi. It was there, and it was mostly reliable. In our room, it was a dream.
Internet [LAN]: Nope, didn't see any LAN ports, which is fine, frankly, who still uses those dinosaurs?
Internet services: Standard stuff. You know, access to the worldwide web. No complaints.
Wi-Fi in public areas: This one was a bit more flaky. The signal strength varied depending on where you were. The pool area? Forget about it; lots of competing signals. Near the reception? Better luck. But hey, we were on holiday, so the occasional digital detox wasn't so bad anyway.
Things to do, ways to relax: (Sweat, Spa, and Swimmin'!)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The list is long, but let’s be honest, a lot of these options are fairly standard for a camping resort.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Yep, they had most of this stuff. The spa? Amazing. Seriously. I indulged in a massage, and it was pure bliss after the long drive. The view from the pool was fantastic, too. It was that kind of idyllic relaxation that makes you think "I could get used to this…"
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Two pools! One large outdoor pool, a bit crowded at times, but perfect for a refreshing dip.
We didn’t hit the gym, (because, let's be real, who works out on holiday?), but it looked well-equipped. The sauna and steam room? Didn’t use them, far too hot already in the Spanish sun.
Cleanliness and safety: (COVID-19 Era Edition)
Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They really took COVID seriously. Everything felt clean and well-maintained. Sanitizer everywhere. Masks were, thankfully, not enforced everywhere but were clearly available. I actually felt quite safe, way more than I'd expected!
Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Nice options. Didn't use them much, but a good option if you’re feeling lazy.
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: reassuring to know they were there, just in case!
Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yay for clean sheets.
Shared stationery removed: Good riddance!
Dining, drinking, and snacking: (The food, the drama!)
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Wow!
Okay, so the food. The food. This is where things get… complicated. The buffet was great, huge selection, always refilled, and the staff were super friendly. The Asian breakfast was… well… an attempt. The desserts? Divine. The coffee shop? Essential. The poolside bar? Where happy hour became a daily event. The a la carte restaurant was a bit hit or miss, some dishes were superb, others were… less so. It's a camping resort, not a Michelin-starred venue. I think the best meal I had was some takeout from the snack bar - a delicious burger and chips after a long day at the beach. Simple, but perfect.
Services and conveniences: (The stuff that makes life easier, or more chaotic..depending)
Air conditioning in the public areas:* Yes, thankfully, because the Spanish sun is merciless.
Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: A lot going on!
Concierge? Nice to have, but didn't use them much, the staff were generally helpful.
Elevator? Useful for getting to the upper floors.
Convenience store? Essential for snacks and forgotten sunscreen.
Laundry and Dry Cleanin? Never had to dip into the laundry or dry cleaning, so I can't comment on the quality.
For the kids: (Bless their cotton socks!)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: It's definitely family-friendly! Loads of kids running around having a whale of a time. While I was there, I didn't see any use of the babysitting service or the kids' meal options, but everything looked well-prepared.
Access, CCTV, Safety etc. etc…
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Everything you would expect.
Front desk [24-hour]: Always a bonus, especially after a late flight. Check-in was smooth and easy, the staff genuinely seemed to take care of their guests.
Free parking! Huge plus, especially for a camping resort.
Available in all rooms: (What you are going to get? Basically everything!)
- **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my trip to Camping Solmar 1 on the Costa Brava. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is the real deal. Think less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly-tipsy-on-sangria-and-trying-to-catch-a-seagull-with-a-net." (Metaphorically speaking, of course… Mostly.)
Belvilla by OYO Camping Solmar 1: Costa Brava, Spain - The Unofficial Itinerary (AKA, The Plan That's Probably Gonna Go Sideways)
Day 1: Arrival & (Attempted) Settling In - AKA "Where's the Toilet Paper?!"
- Morning (ish):
- The Flight From Hell: Okay, "hell" is a bit dramatic. But let's just say the budget airline experience involved a screaming baby, a seat that wouldn't recline, and the distinct aroma of questionable airport coffee. My "chill" factor was already at a solid 3/10.
- Arrival in Barcelona & The Great Train Debacle: Landed! Hooray! Until, you know, we had to navigate the labyrinthine Barcelona airport. Finding the train to Blanes? Easier said than done. Cue frantic gesturing, questionable Spanish ("¡Donde esta la estación?" I mumbled, earning a look of mild amusement from a local), and a near-miss with a rogue suitcase. We (eventually) made it.
- Afternoon:
- Camping Solmar 1 - The Welcome: The "rustic charm" of the campsite was immediately apparent. Think… slightly-less-than-glamorous-but-definitely-charming. The tent pitch? Smaller than advertised. But hey, at least there's a beach nearby! (More on that later, much more.) Found our tent, which, after a few hilarious mishaps with the poles, finally stood upright.
- Grocery Grab & The Toilet Paper Incident: This is where things went… downhill, but in a funny way. The local Carrefour was a treasure trove of delights (jamón serrano! chorizo! ALL the things!), but in our excitement, we completely forgot the essentials. The toilet paper. Yes, people, we forgot the toilet paper. I discovered this fact in the throes of a desperate need. Let’s just say it involved a lot of improvisation.
- Evening:
- Sunset Sangria & The Joy of Mosquito Bites: Finally, the reward for our travails: a bottle of cheap (but delicious) sangria on the beach. The sunset was stunning. Seriously, Instagram-worthy. Until, BZZZZZZZZZ - the mosquitoes descended. My legs are covered in itchy welts, but the sangria's keeping the misery at bay. This is life!
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Mostly) & The Great Paella Experiment
- Morning:
- Beach Time! Oh. My. God. The beach! The sand! The waves! The sheer, blissful nothingness of staring at the Mediterranean Sea. Did some swimming, built a truly impressive sandcastle (that was immediately destroyed by a rogue wave – poetic justice, I suppose). I may or may not have spent a concerning amount of time collecting seashells.
- The Great Sunburn Scare: Realizing I’d forgotten sunscreen - again - was not a good moment. Cue a panicked dash back to the tent and a hasty application of the stuff. Thankfully, averted a full-blown lobster situation. (Phew!)
- Afternoon:
- Paella Disaster: Okay, so everyone raves about paella, right? I decided to be ambitious and cook some. I got this. (Narrator voice: She did not, in fact, "got this.") The rice was either undercooked, overcooked, or burnt to a crisp, depending on the location within the pan. The seafood was… questionable. Let's just say the local seagulls got a delicious treat. We, however, ate bread and cheese. Again.
- Evening:
- Stargazing & Existential Dread: Stumbled onto the beach. The sky! Incredible! Realized I have no idea what any of the constellations are. Googled it. Got overwhelmed. Stared at the stars, and contemplated the meaning of life… and whether I should go back and attempt the paella again tomorrow. (Verdict: Maybe not.)
Day 3: Exploring Blanes & The Unexpected Charm of a Market
- Morning:
- Blanes Town: Finally, ventured into the actual town of Blanes. The Botanical Gardens (Jardí Botànic Marimurtra) were breathtaking. Think vibrant flowers, stunning cliffside views, and a definite "I could live here" moment.
- Afternoon:
- The Market Experience: The local market. Oh. My. Goodness. The colors, the smells, the buzz! Stalls piled high with fresh produce, cured meats, and enough cheese to feed a small army. Spent way too much money, bought a ridiculously large basket, and almost got into a shouting match (in broken Spanish) over a particularly plump tomato. Totally worth it.
- Evening:
- Flamenco Night (Or, The Attempt Thereof): Found some flamenco. I had no idea what was going on. Amazing. The passion, the drama, the sheer energy of the dancers. I am now convinced I can do the moves. Spoiler alert: I can't.
Day 4: Water Activities - aka, The Time I Almost Drowned… But Lived to Tell the Tale!
- Morning:
- Kayaking Adventures: Rented a kayak. "Easy-peasy," I thought. (Narrator voice: It was not.) The waves were bigger than they looked, the wind was relentless, and I spent most of the time going in circles. I may have briefly considered giving up and letting the sea take me.
- Afternoon:
- Snorkeling Debacle: Put on some goggles and a snorkel, and just hoped for the best. Turns out I have a phobia of fish. I saw a fish. Swam for the shore!
- Evening:
- Pizza Party!: Got pizza. It was cheesy and comforting and exactly what I needed after nearly becoming shark bait. Spent the rest of the night laughing with new friends who were also on a similar level of exhaustion.
Day 5: Relaxation & Departure - AKA, The Bitter-Sweet End
- Morning:
- Poolside Bliss: Spent the morning at the campsite pool, pretending to be a glamorous movie star. Managed to spill my coffee into the pool. Thankfully, nobody noticed.
- Afternoon:
- Packing and Departure: The dreaded packing. The tent, refusing to be packed. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to stay forever, but also being relieved to go home. Hugged the beach one last time and gave it a promise -- We'll Meet Again.
- Evening:
- The train, The food, The Memories: The journey home. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Important Considerations:
- Food: Pack snacks. Lots of snacks. And toilet paper. Did I mention the toilet paper?
- Language: Learning a few basic Spanish phrases is helpful, but if you are like me, use Google Translate.
- Embrace the Mess: Things will go wrong. It's part of the fun. Embrace the chaos, and let the good times roll!
This trip wasn't perfect. It was filled with mishaps, weird food, and moments of sheer panic. But it was also filled with laughter, sun-drenched days, the most stunning sunsets, the taste of fresh seafood, and the joy of making new friends. So, yeah, it was pretty darn perfect, in its own wonderfully imperfect way. Now, where's that sangria…?
Gouvy Getaway: Luxurious Holiday Home Steps from Town Center!
So, Costa Brava Camping... Unbelievable Solmar 1 Deal? Tell me *everything*! My gut says... maybe?
What *is* "Solmar 1" specifically? I'm picturing a tiny, mildew-ridden shack. Am I close?
Okay, location, location, location! What's the Costa Brava like *from* this campsite? Is it truly "unbelievable"?
Beyond the mobile home, what's *on offer* at the campsite? Pool? Entertainment? My inner five-year-old demands to know!
Food and drink! Survival is key. What are the options, and how's the quality? I have a particular fondness for... well, everything.
Okay, practicalities. How do I get there? And once I'm there, do I need a car? (Because I *hate* driving.)
So, beyond the beach and the pool... what else is around to do? And how 'touristy' is it, on a scale of 'gentle stroll' to 'Disney World'?
The big question: Is this Solmar 1 "deal" *actually* good value for the money? Or am I just seeing the world through rose-tinted sangria goggles?
