Riu Vistamar

We’ve stayed in Riu hotels in the past and do feel the standard have dropped considerably, On arrival the reception staff were most welcoming, friendly and most helpful. We were given our room details and set off to find it dragging our cases (no bell boy here) The room was spacious with a balcony looking out to sea with a terrific view. The room was kept spotless throughout our stay. We entered the dining room, found a table and a waitress offered us water, which we accepted and asked could we have wine …her reply was…..you fetch that from over there ….. and that was the same procedure every day, we NEVER saw a waiter or waitress, any drink you wanted you fetched yourself apart from water !!!! The food was displayed invitingly but were more or less the same offered each day, We attended tow ‘speciality’ restaurants but they were both ‘self service’ and basically the same food you could eat in the ‘normal’ restaurant . The drinks weren’t always “original” and the cocktails were actually made in a machine, poured into normal glasses (sometimes plastic) and didn’t look or taste particularly real !!!! I definitely wouldn’t recommend the hotel to anyone who can’t cope with steps as the pools are on three levels with quite a few steps to each and surprisingly the children’s oook is right at the top !!!! Wherever we’ve stayed we have always had waiters who deliver drinks to your seat in whichever bar you are, we’ve always had chance to speak and laugh with them and tip them for their service so we found this hotel quite distanced and lacking in friendliness. We had 7 days in the sunshine but wouldn’t return or recommend this hotel .

Tui rep called kate was ignorant,rude and condescending when we tried to address the fact that we have found green mould in all of the salt and peppers on the tables in the restaurant, the mould inside of all the coffee cansiters they serve at breakfast, aside it also being cold, and the fact that all of us have been vomiting and have diarrhea. She spoke to my partner like he was something she had trodden in. Told us we had to stay in our rooms and they would get the in house dr to come out to us.... 2 days on we are still waiting. This is aside the air con not working, the toilet in our room constantly flushing keeping us awake at night, and the lights all going out and all corridoors being pitch black which is a trip hazzard. We witnessed kate the English tui rep speak to several guests at the welcome meeting like sommet she had trodden in,it appears unless you are booking trips through them and singing their praises they seem to dismiss you and try to shut you down, very 'woke' attitude, and minus empathy. We have stayed at the riu vistamar loads over the past 14 years, and WE WILL NEVER RETURN HERE AGAIN! Our holiday is ruined, myself partner and daughter are extremely unwell atm and the rep and recepetion have just dismissed us and tried to shut us down. We ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES POORLY AT THIS HOTEL RIGHT NOW, SO FAR I PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO 7 DIFF FAMILYS WHOM ARE ALL IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT AS US. Aside several guests having to change their rooms because of ant nests! There is mould growing in all drinks machines, salt and peppers and we have photographic evidence, aside video evidence which kate and the reception staff wouldnt even look at, cutlery is filthy aswell as the drinking cups etc you have to wash them yourself before use. Partners just been for some water and come back the room and told me it looks like they may be panicking now as someone is finally cleaning the drinks machines near the pool and he witnessed and also took pics which are attached here in this review of the black gloop and mould being wiped from the nozzles where drinks come out etc.

We stayed in a third-floor sea-view room and the view was absolutely beautiful. The room itself was modern, spacious and kept wonderfully clean throughout our stay. The beds were extremely comfortable, and there was plenty of storage for our clothes. It would have been nice if the water in the fridge had been replenished, but this was only a small point.

We had an issue with the safe when it wouldn’t open, but reception sent someone to help within ten minutes and it was quickly resolved.

The hotel is located on a cliff, which may present difficulties for guests with mobility issues. However, we took advantage of the free courtesy bus to Amadores Beach, which was fabulous. We caught the 10:30am bus and found the beach lovely and quiet, with plenty of sunloungers and parasols available. Two sunloungers and a parasol cost €15. The inflatable water park kept my nine-year-old entertained for most of the day and was good value at €25.

We mainly used the first pool. It is quite small and not particularly deep, but my little boy still had lots of fun. Inflatables are not permitted, and staff were quite strict about checking and asking guests to remove them.

There were always plenty of sunbeds available. We usually went to the pool at around 7:30–8:00am before breakfast and were always able to find beds right beside the pool. As I was travelling alone with my child, this was ideal as it meant I could easily keep an eye on him while he was in the water. The food and drinks at the Seabreeze snack bar were also great.

The food selection was vast, and most of what we tried was very tasty—there is definitely something for everyone. My only concern was seeing some young children helping themselves without using the provided serving tongs, although this is more an issue of parental supervision than the hotel itself.

We ate at Kai one evening and the food was lovely. The restaurant was beautifully decorated and had a relaxed atmosphere, which made a welcome change from the busy main restaurant. That said, the view from the main restaurant was absolutely breathtaking.

The cocktails were probably some of the best I have had as part of an all-inclusive package—they were genuinely delicious!

Every member of staff we encountered was friendly, helpful and always smiling. I was particularly impressed when I had to call reception at 1:30am after my child had been sick in his bed. I believe this was due to overindulgence, rather than illness or anything he had eaten at the hotel, as there was no further sickness. Someone arrived within five minutes to change the bedding, and the receptionist also fetched us a bottle of water from the 24-hour Sports Bar because I couldn’t leave my child alone in the room. I genuinely could not fault the service.

Reception will also arrange taxis for guests, and we never waited longer than five minutes for one to arrive.

We didn’t see much of the evening entertainment because we generally chose to go out, but we did catch two shows and they were surprisingly good. The entertainment team seemed upbeat and friendly, and they were fantastic with the children.

The main downside is the number of steps leading up to the pools. This didn’t personally affect us, but the children’s pool is at the top of the hotel and the lift only goes as far as floor nine, leaving another three floors to navigate. I can imagine this would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues or a pushchair. However, the incredible views from the top do help to make up for the climb!

All in all, we had a lovely, relaxing holiday. The beautiful views, friendly staff and excellent service made it a really enjoyable stay, and I would absolutely return.