The Hotel Marinada tends to attract a crowd -- mostly British and Spanish families -- willing to see past some of the dated interiors and worn areas because of the affordable rates. The design throughout is generally low-key and neutral-toned, featuring lots of wood furniture and paneling, black-leather couches in the lobby, and brass fixtures in the buffet restaurant. A display of various types of sailing knots and some potted plants are the only decorative accents. Like most hotels in this part of the world, the focus is firmly on the outside. An outdoor pool is set in an attractive terrace with plenty of room for sunbathers, plus a tiny wading pool for toddlers. Entertainment is provided every night during high season, but it's generally geared toward children.

The hotel sits on the edge of Salou’s old town, which is home to a range of shops, bars, and restaurants. The nearest beach, in Capellans, is a 10-minute walk away, whilst the centre of Salou is 30 minutes away by foot, or 10 by taxi. The PortAventura theme and water park is an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Transfer time to Reus Airport is 35 minutes by car, and it can take between an hour and 90 minutes to transfer to Barcelona-El Prat. 

Rooms at the Marinada are clean and generally well-maintained, but they're bland and lack any decorative touches. Some are more up-to-date than others, but all have a neutral-tone color scheme with beige or terra-cotta tiling, cream walls, and either wood or dated rattan furniture. Travelers can choose from bare-bones Standard Rooms -- which charge for mini-fridges -- or Studios and Duplexes with well-equipped kitchenettes. The kitchenettes come with stovetops, mini-fridges, toasters, microwaves, kettles, and cookware. Studios are located in a separate building and all have a small dining area. 

Across the board, rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and furnished outdoor spaces. Use of the safes requires a fee. Bathrooms are basic but functional, with bidets, shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and sachet toiletries. Some guests have reported that the towels can be tattered and there are occasional noise issues.

The Hotel Marinada has a decent list of features aimed at keeping families satisfied. A large outdoor pool has a separate wading pool for young children to splash about in, set in a terrace that has plenty of room for sunbathers. An indoor pool is also available, but it’s small and tucked away in a gloomy basement room. The hotel has a well-worn mini-golf course, playground, and kids' club, as well as a small game room with a pool table, air hockey, and a few arcade machines. There's no real gym, just a couple of mediocre equipment pieces by the pool. Shows and activities are provided during high season, but they're typically geared toward children. Wi-Fi is only available in the hotel’s communal areas and the first floor of the main hotel.

Buffet-style meals served in the main hotel’s restaurant are generally good, although the choice of food can get repetitive. Light snacks and drinks are available in the hotel bar, plus guests can opt for half-board and full-board plans.