Time to Embrace cabin fever
This summer – like millions of other Brits stuck at home in lockdown – I am suffering from cabin fever. So it seems ironic that I spent two weeks in a cabin on a campsite with my family last summer, and we didn’t want to come home.
Our fortnight at the Playa Montroig resort on Spain’s Costa Dorada had everything we could possibly have wanted.
This was five-star camping, made all the more comfortable by our two-bedroom static mobile home.
I have stayed on many campsites across Britain and Europe before, but this one – booked through Canvas Holidays – was truly one of the best.
After spending a night in Barcelona, we took the train to the Mediterranean resort of Cambrils.
From there, we jumped in a taxi to travel a few miles down the road to Playa Montroig, which is set in immaculate subtropical gardens across from fine sandy beaches.
It quickly became apparent just how much there was to do for the grown-ups and my two sons, Louis, 14, and Remy, eight. There was not just one swimming pool, but four. We had waterslides in the main pool and plenty of space to swim in.
In the other part of the site, which had a path running beneath the main railway line, there was a splash pool with more slides and features for kids.
There were several bars and restaurants dotted around the site – and even two nightclubs.
Entertainment for kids and adults was also there if you wanted to partake, but easy to ignore if it’s not your thing.
A particular highlight for us was the Freddie Mercury impersonator – so bad he became hilariously entertaining.
The amenity that really impressed me was the well-stocked site supermarket, complete with its own butcher and baker, so there was no need to drive out for food.
The sports facilities were excellent too. Playa Montroig has several tennis courts and even football pitches. We played petanque (French bowls) on several evenings, and inadvertently became involved in a ludicrously complicated tournament with the resident aficionados.
But Playa Montroig’s jewel in the crown is definitely the long sandy beach it backs on to.
We could walk there in just a few minutes and, if it became too crowded or hot, we could stroll back to the pool.
Such was the magnetic draw of the campsite that our children weren’t keen to go on day trips.
But we did manage a couple of outings – once to charming Tarragona, with its second-century Roman amphitheatre, and to the mountaintop village of Siurana, which was spectacular.
Playa Montroig is also ideally placed for trips to Spain’s biggest theme park, PortAventura, just 13 miles away, as well as the resort of Salou.
The campsite is the kind of place families go back to year after year.
After just one visit, it was easy to understand why. I would heartily recommend booking a pitch early for 2021.
Tom and family relax outside their cabin
BOOK IT: A week’s self-catering in peak season starts at £1,219 for a family of four staying in a two-bed Cosy mobile home. In September, it costs from £343. Travel is not included. Playa Montroig is open until October 2 this year and from April 3 to October 8 next year. canvasholidays.co.uk, 0345 268 0827