Hotel El Paso PortAventura Review: All Inclusive & Early Entry

Hotel El Paso is a four-star themed hotel inside PortAventura World where every guest receives unlimited access to PortAventura Park and one day at Ferrari Land (per Booking.com listings). This practical review focuses on the all-inclusive package, early entry benefits, and what families can expect from a stay.

Last checked: 2026-09-18

Hotel Name: Hotel El Paso – PortAventura World · Location: Salou, Costa Dorada, Spain · Property Theme: Colonial Mexican hacienda decoration (per official site) · Board Basis: All Inclusive option available · Park Access: Unlimited access to PortAventura Park + 1 day Ferrari Land (per Thomas Cook) · Nearby Beach: Salou Beach, 7 minutes away

What Is Hotel El Paso at PortAventura World?

Hotel El Paso is one of several accommodation options within the PortAventura World resort in Salou, Spain. The property is themed to evoke a colonial Mexican hacienda, with terracotta tiles, cacti, and colourful textiles throughout (PortAventura World official site). It holds a four-star rating and offers 24‑hour reception, free Wi‑Fi, free on-site parking (subject to availability), and free baby cots (services page).

Location

The hotel sits on Rambla del Parc, s/n, 43840 Salou, directly adjacent to the main PortAventura Park entrance. Salou Beach is a seven‑minute walk, and Barcelona is roughly one hour by car (TripAdvisor). This makes it possible to combine theme‑park days with afternoons on the Costa Dorada sand.

Official description

PortAventura’s own materials describe the hotel as “transporting guests to the heart of colonial Mexico.” The property counts one snack bar, three bars, one buffet restaurant (Hacienda), and one à la carte restaurant (El Coyote), plus adult and children’s pools open from May to September (services page). The bottom line: it is deliberately positioned as a mid‑market option that prioritises convenience over luxury.

The pattern: The hotel’s strength is its location and theme; guests consistently praise access to the park and beach, while room quality draws mixed comments.

Is Hotel PortAventura All Inclusive? And What Is Included?

Yes – Hotel El Paso offers an all‑inclusive board basis, which is available in addition to half‑board and full‑board options. Official documentation from PortAventura World specifies that the all‑inclusive package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel buffet, plus snacks, soft drinks, and Spanish alcoholic beverages (for adults) in designated hotel areas during set hours (2020 groups brochure). The wristband is activated from 11:00 on the day of arrival and ends at 11:00 on departure day (2019 brochure).

Park meal inclusion

All‑inclusive guests also receive one meal per person per day inside PortAventura Park (starter, main, dessert, and a drink), redeemable via a card or voucher system. According to TripAdvisor Q&A contributions, this meal can be used at four designated food outlets in the theme park and one in the water park. Alcoholic drinks are generally not included in these park‑meal deals, though soft drinks may be available (TripAdvisor FAQ).

For stays longer than four days, Oyster notes that à la carte dinners at El Coyote restaurant become part of the package (Oyster). The bottom line: the all‑inclusive is generous by European theme‑park standards, but the park‑meal restrictions mean you still need to plan where and when to eat.

Do PortAventura Hotel Guests Get Early Access?

Yes, guests staying at any PortAventura hotel, including El Paso, receive early access to the park. The official services page states that you can enter PortAventura Park on the day of arrival as soon as you check in at reception, even before your room is ready (services page).

How to make the most of early entry

Early access typically allows hotel guests to enter the park one hour before the general public. This is particularly valuable for the resort’s most popular rides, such as Shambhala and Furius Baco, where queue times can exceed an hour later in the day. The trade-off: early entry only covers PortAventura Park, not Ferrari Land or Costa Caribe Aquatic Park. Families with young children often find the quieter first hour helpful for navigating the park at a relaxed pace.

How Many Days Do You Need at PortAventura World?

Most visitors find that two to three days allows a comfortable pace. PortAventura World comprises three parks: the main PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land, and Costa Caribe Aquatic Park (seasonal). A typical family itinerary looks like this:

Sample itinerary for a 3‑night stay

• Day 1 (arrival): Arrive mid‑morning, check in, activate all‑inclusive wristband at 11:00. Have lunch at the hotel buffet, then enter PortAventura Park via early entry. Focus on the far side of the park (SésamoAventura and Polynesia) where queues are shortest in the afternoon. Return for dinner at the hotel.
• Day 2 (full park): Use early entry for the big coasters. Spend the morning in the main park. After lunch (use your park‑meal voucher), switch to Ferrari Land or the water park (if open). Evening: dinner at El Coyote à la carte restaurant if staying more than four nights – otherwise use the buffet.
• Day 3 (flexible): Morning in the park, lunch at the hotel, then pack and check out by 11:00. Leave bags at reception and return to the park until closing.

The bottom line: two full park days plus a half‑day arrival give you enough time to experience both PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land without rushing. If you want to add the water park, extend by one day.

What Are People Saying About the PortAventura Hotel El Paso?

Aggregated reviews paint a mixed picture. On TripAdvisor, Hotel El Paso holds approximately 3.5 out of 5 bubbles from over 3,600 reviews (TripAdvisor). Booking.com’s score is higher, around 7.8 out of 10 overall, with particular praise for location and value (Booking.com).

“El Paso Hotel appears to be the only hotel in the PortAventura hotel group that offers a fully inclusive option for guests.”

– ClickandGo travel agency blog (source)

“We have stayed at Hotel El Paso twice and never had any complaints… the food was always good and there was plenty to choose from.”

– That Mum Travel Life family travel blog (source)

Common praise and criticism

Positive reviews frequently highlight the hotel’s proximity to the park and the convenience of the all‑inclusive package. The children’s pool and Mexican theme are also enjoyed by families. Negative feedback centres on dated rooms, occasional cleanliness issues, and the quality of the buffet food, which some guests describe as “cafeteria‑style.” The trade‑off: you are paying primarily for location and park access, not for five‑star accommodation.

Which PortAventura Hotel Is the Best? Alternatives to Hotel El Paso

PortAventura World operates several on‑site hotels, each with a different theme and price point. The four main options are:

• Hotel PortAventura: A larger, four‑star property with a Mediterranean theme, also offering half‑board and all‑inclusive options.
• Hotel Colorado Creek: A three‑star hotel themed to the American Wild West, generally more budget‑oriented.
• Hotel Gold River: A four‑star Gold Rush‑themed hotel with a large lagoon pool; typically the most expensive on‑site option.
• Hotel El Paso: The only on‑site hotel that offers a fully inclusive package according to ClickandGo (though the official site lists all‑inclusive as an option, implying it remains available).

How Hotel El Paso compares: it positions itself as a solid mid‑range choice for families who want all‑inclusive convenience without the premium price of Gold River. The trade‑off is that the rooms and facilities are older than at some newer sister properties. For travellers who prioritise full‑board simplicity over luxury, El Paso often represents the best value.

Location and getting there

Hotel El Paso is located on the edge of the resort, approximately one hour north of Barcelona by car (via the AP‑7 motorway). Buses run regularly from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Salou (2 hours, 15 minutes), and from there a local bus or taxi covers the remaining 2 km. For self‑drivers, free on‑site parking is available but subject to availability (services page). The distance to Salou Beach is a seven‑minute walk, making it easy to spend a beach morning before heading into the park.