Riu Nautilus

I have stayed at this hotel several times, and was interested to see how it would be after the recent renovations. Certainly some things are better, the decoration, particularly in the lobby is beautiful. The restaurant is more spacious and bright and contemporary. Bedrooms are nicely decorated, with excellent showers. There are a lot more sunbeds (although people still get up early to reserve them!).

The not so good -

• The buffet area in the dining area is badly laid out, there's just not enough space for all the people going back and forward to the different areas. It was much better before. Food is not so good, although the quality of the roast meat of the day is very good.
• The pool bar used to be a convivial spot, it was a lovely place to sit and enjoy a drink or food, watching the staff working and chatting at the bar. It's now not a bar at all, it's just a service hatch in the wall. I've never seen anything quite like it in any hotel, and it's not nice at all. I cannot imagine what it must be like for the staff working in the heat of summer in what appears to be a windowless cupboard. This should be changed, looking at the design of the bar it would be possible.

However the thing that keeps me returning to the hotel is the staff. They are friendly, professional and helpful. I'd particularly like to mention Javier on reception, who has helped me on many occasions and always greets us with a smile. And Fernando in the bar. I work in travel and visit many hotels all over the world. Not only is Fernando the most professional and competent barman I have come across, he remembers guests and welcomes them back to hotel like they are old friends. Truly impressive, an asset to the hotel.

I'm looking forward already to my next visit.

We recently stayed at the renovated Riu Nautilus (now upgraded to a 'Palace'). Having stayed here a few times previously and being firm fans of the Riu brand, we were excited to see the changes and improvements.

Firstly, and sadly, though bluntly this hotel is NOT a Palace. A few licks of paint and renovations to rooms and common parts, does not magically make it worthy of this title and sadly that just damages the Riu Palace brand. (If you wish to see a true Riu Palace then the template should be the Riu Palace Maspalomas, which must rank as the pearl in the Riu shell. Everything is tip-top and you relax and immerse into it as soon as you arrive.)

However, back to the Nautilus...we received a welcome and despite having requested an early check-in, this was sadly not possible. It would have been nice to be welcomed as returning Riu guests, as we are Riu Gold members. We had requested a room in a specific location (numerous room options provided); this was sent to reception over two months before our arrival and we sent subsequent emails, which is what we had been advised to do, on our prior visit. Alas, these appear to have been ignored, as we had a room on a lower floor and further back from the sea. The positives: The hotel is extremely clean and the staff work very hard. The food quality has definitely improved since it gained 'Palace' status. The hotel is in a fantastic location on the beach, which we used everyday, as it was like sardines round the pool area, as the sun-beds are so close to one another. A special thank you goes to Cristina in the restaurant, who really looked after us on our last evening. She is an absolute credit to Riu. Ok, so would we return? Possibly; though, we'd like to see some 'improvements'. We'd hope in 12 months this hotel looks and feels more like a Riu Palace and not one that has the label, but not the standards.