The Apartaments CYE Salou attracts primarily families who want to use the apartments and their cooking facilities for a cheap and uncomplicated beach holiday, and the small complex is fitted accordingly. The hotel lobby is simple and utilitarian, with peach walls, plastic plants in built-in beds, and a variety of artwork to add some decoration. The rest of the property has a similar low-fills design approach, but the pool terrace is pleasant enough with rows of plastic loungers and a smattering of palm trees. While the vibe here is laid-back and quiet, some noise can be heard from the adjacent road and nearby bars.

Located at the northern edge of Salou’s town center, this property is a five-minute walk from the beach, and only two minutes from the nearest supermarket, bars, and restaurants. Its proximity to Salou’s main road ensures that there’s some degree of road noise, but also that Salou’s main shopping area on the other side of town is a five-minute taxi ride away. Those looking for an adrenaline rush can find the PortAventura theme park a five-minute drive away. Expect airport transfers to take about 35 minutes from Reus Airport, and between an hour and 90 minutes from Barcelona-El Prat.

The bright, spacious apartment-style rooms are decorated in unremarkable but contemporary light-wood furniture, tile floors, and a few pieces of artwork. The mismatched patterned linens and upholstery, however, are dated and in need of a refresh. Apartments have a bedroom and separate open-plan room with a kitchenette, dining area, and living area with a sofa bed. flat-screen television. As well as this, there is a clean and modern bathroom with a shower/tub combo and jazzy red sink unit, and a large, built-in closet. Compact bathrooms have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries, plus jazzy red vanities in some.

Kitchenettes are equipped with two-burner stoves, microwaves, mini-fridges, toasters, and kettle, alongside crockery and cookware. In addition to this, air-conditioning and ironing facilities are provided. Small flat-screen TVs also come standard, but English-language channels are few. Every apartment has a large terrace with patio furniture, but guests can upgrade to an apartment with a pool view for a small additional fee. As well as the obvious change of scenery, this also adds coffeemakers and a later checkout time. However, guests have reported that poolside rooms face the busy Carrer de Navarra, so road noise can prove a problem.

As a decidedly, deliberately no-frills option, the Apartaments CYE Salou offers very little in the way of extras. It’s worth mentioning off the bat that there's no full restaurant here, though a privately owned bar, Lazy Waves, is in the building and has seating that spills out to the pool deck. The good-sized pool is a typical rectangular affair, complete with blue lane markers and a fenced-off shallower area for kids. White plastic loungers line the pool, but umbrellas do not. Entertainment options are lacking, but there is a game room, with pool tables, computers, and video games. One possible downside for guests is that there's no gym. Wi-Fi is free in common areas.