A family adventure holiday: The Wild West - PortAventura style

We'd already had a fantastic family break at PortAventura, the theme-park in the resort of Salou not far from Barcelona, so were very excited at the prospect of returning to experience its newly opened Hotel Gold River, in the Far West section of the park (PortAventura is split up into five themed areas: Mediterrania, Far West, Mexico, China and Polynesia). 

But before arriving at the hotel, we were treated to a whirlwind trip around Barcelona itself, led by a First Choice guide, an incredibly knowledgeable Barcelonan. It included amazing Parc Guell, designed by Gaudi, which had the children enchanted, and the Nou Camp stadium, which had even the non-football followers amongst us fascinated with its size and the behind-the-scene details

We packed in so much, the Hotel Gold River came as a welcome respite. Like all the hotels at the park (El Paso, Caribe, Villa Mediterranea and PortAventura), it offers restaurants, swimming pools and evening entertainment. Some of the hotels also have kids' clubs.

We stayed in the main hotel building, ‘City Hall’, with six floors of rooms surrounding a huge atrium housing the reception, with a fountain in the middle and an impressive glass roof that gave the feeling of both space and grandeur.  Our room was simply decorated and very ‘Little House on the Prairie’, with two large double beds, white wood, patchwork quilts and wooden trunks.  It was slightly basic for a 4-star hotel (albeit a 4-sun-plus the First Choice equivalent) but had everything we needed, and there was so much to do – both in and around the hotel and in the theme-park itself – that we spent very little time in it. 

The other side of the hotel opens up into the town of ‘Sullivan’, home to Lucy’s Mansion (with 31 luxury suites), the River Bungalows and the Old Train Station (with family rooms for up to 6, with self-catering facilities). There are also 24 cabins hidden in woodland through which the ‘gold’ river runs after winding its way through the grounds. eventually becoming a large lake.  A large outside stage area and restaurants and bars such as the Opera House is where most of the evening entertainment takes place; the earlier childrens' shows tend to be outside in the square. 

Breakfast for most guests is served in the Grand Hall. Here we filled ourselves up for our busy days – there was so much choice, even the fussiest eaters would find it hard not to find something they liked. The PortAventura characters (Woody the Woodpecker and his girlfriend Winnie, Betty Boop, Shrek and Princess Fiona) made appearances each morning, which delighted the children. 

Being a whole 10cm taller since her last visit made a big difference to my daughter’s enjoyment of the park.  She's already an adrenalin junkie at the age of six, and not being a rollercoaster fan myself, I dread the time that she reaches 140cm and can leap onto scarier rides such as Furius Baco and Dragon Khan. 

But even if rides are not your thing, there is so much to do at PortAventura, you'll  leave wishing for one more day. The Bubble Bou show and the Aloha Tahiti were amongst our favourites. In Bubble Bou you see a man encase himself and members of the audience in a gigantic bubble, while Aloha Tahiti whisks you away to the Southern Seas for a show full of hula-dancing.

Outside the park, we explored the Costa Dorada by open-top jeep safari, travelling in convoy along dusty riverbeds and slowly climbing twisty roads into the Mont Sant National Park, also known as the Little Grand Canyon. Eventually we reached a tiny cobbled stoned village perched on top of the highest point, Siurana. The incredible views came with sheer drops, and I found myself holding tightly on to my daughter's hand as local kids and other tourists seemed to dance around by the edge. On the way back we stopped off at a Catalan restaurant for food and a wine tasting, followed by a dip in an inviting reservoir. It's was a fantastic and refreshing day out, although I wouldn’t recommend it to kids under six.

The final highlight was the Caribe Aquatic Park, to which you get a free day-pass with a First Choice package, offering rides for all age groups. Tallulah loved the Lazy River, going round and round sitting in a rubber-ring, with me – no doubt comically to anyone looking on – in hot pursuit.

My second trip to PortAventura only reinforces what a fantastic family holiday option it is, especially for primary school age kids and teenagers, with no danger of anyone getting bored, even the most reluctant of teens…

First Choice offers 7-night holidays in PortAventura, staying at the 4 sun plus Hotel Gold River on a half-board basis, from £614 per adult and from £285 for the 1st child and from £365 for the 2nd child, departing from Gatwick Airport on 18 May 2010, based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing. Price includes flights, fuel charge, air passenger duty, in-resort transfers, unlimited access to PortAventura Theme Park and one day entrance pass to the Caribe Aquatic Park.  The package is subject to availability and booking terms and conditions.  Visit First Choice for more information and to book the Hotel Gold River online.