Hotel Volga

Hotel Volga occupies a corner plot in a fairly quiet area of Calella. It's a modern building that's painted a peachy color, and lined with white balcony rails. The entrance of marble and shiny steel pillars welcomes guests into the lobby -- which has a classic style with plenty of sofa seating and a TV area. There's not much that's memorable when it comes to decor, and most guests are in town to be out in the sun. Doors from the lobby open directly to the lounge and bar area, where entertainment happens at night. The busy buffet restaurant has an illuminated wall photo of the sea, giving the illusion of beach-side dining. It's a neat, well-ordered hotel -- though rooms are a mixed bag, at best -- and attracts tourists from around Europe, especially mature couples and tour groups. 

Hotel Volga is in Calella, a coastal beach resort about an hour east of Barcelona. It's a five-minute walk from the sandy beachfront, separated only by the railway station and train tracks, which run along the coast. Carrer de l'Eglesia is only a few minutes away on foot for shopping and dining, and it's about a 10-minute walk to the town center, which is home to Santa Maria Church and the surrounding old town. Calella Station connects with Barcelona on a scenic 70-minute journey that runs parallel to the sea, or it's about 50 minutes by car. Buses also leave from Carrer de St. Jaume, a five-minute walk away, for Barcelona and the airport. The journey takes about 80 minutes. 

There are three tiers of rooms at the Hotel Volga, and you definitely get what you pay for at this hotel. Economy Rooms and Standard Room are essentially the same, and both are dressed in dated decor like light wood furniture and floral-print bedding. Keep in mind that Economy Rooms are barebones in the extreme, and features like mini-fridges, safes, and Wi-Fi will all cost extra. Standard Rooms include those features and add balconies. Privilege Rooms are worth the upgrade, and add sea or pool views. They're also more modern, with bold wall art, white linens, and contemporary dark-wood furniture and flooring. Privilege Rooms on the top floor add outdoor terraces with whirlpools. Standard features across all categories include flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning. Privilege Rooms also include free use of towels and sun loungers at the Beach Club. Bathrooms in the Standard and Economy Rooms have a simple white-tiled finish, with shower/tub combos, while the Privilege Rooms have rainfall shower cubicles and counter-top sinks, plus stylish wall art and toiletries. All bathrooms have gel/shampoo dispensers and hairdryers. 

Hotel Volga has a lobby lounge with a bar and dance floor, and regular evening entertainment is offered. The lounge also has a pool table and a guest PC with video games (for a fee), plus a terrace beside the outdoor pool. The pool is a bit small for the hotel's size -- meaning there are sometimes not enough loungers -- and the water is unheated. The buffet restaurant serves a good hot-and-cold breakfast selection with an egg station, plus a Mediterranean lunch spread and themed dinner buffets. Half- and full-board plans can be booked, but there are no all-inclusive options. The hotel has a beach club on Nui Beach. Sun loungers and towels can be rented, though they are free to guests in Privilege Rooms, and a menu of light meals from breakfast to evening tapas are served in the summer months. The front desk is manned 24 hours and there's free luggage storage. Wi-Fi is only free with certain conditions, like booking higher-category rooms or with direct bookings, so check ahead. There is no on-site parking, though spots can be found for free on the road parallel to the beach.