HL Rio Playa Blanca

Ignore all the reviews- had a great time!

Can only speak for my experience here, but early September and had a great week holiday. Room was clean (cleaned every day or so), pool was great and food had lots of options (as far as an all inclusive can offer)

Didn’t haven’t to wake up early to reserve a sunbed, woke up at 9, and the pool was empty. Maybe it’s different during peak time? Find me a holiday that isn’t busy during that time…

Would highly recommend, close to the beach, had some lovely walks down to the marina.

As we have all read it’s not a four star more a 3 star. We arrived just before 11pm. Was told the restaurant had reopened so we could get some cold food. We went to the restaurant and was told no. Also we couldn’t get a drink after checking in at either bars they both said they were shut so not the best start to the holiday. Our room 1080A was nice and airy. The bathroom was big. The shower was a bit slippery as no ridges. Also by the time the 3rd person had a shower the water was stagnant and taking ages to go down. The pool area is big had to get towels down early if you want an umbrella. By 7.15am no umbrellas left. I preferred the quieter pool but my teen loved the main pool. As mentioned the tiles around the pool are worn and quite rough under foot and I did scrape my toes a few times on them. Main pool was a little cloudy at times so I didn’t venture in on those days or went to the quieter pool instead. The splash park area was good for smaller children but only open 12-5. Food was actually ok. After reading the reviews I was a little worried. The staff work non stop cleaning the tables. The best thing about this hotel is the animation team. They work so hard. They are not pushy in making you get involved which I liked. We loved the club dance. Special mentions to Aldo, Raul, Mo and Andreas. Taxi’s into town are around 5euro and they come fast when you order from reception. Our room was cleaned every day and had no problems with that. One day the cleaner left our door wide open which wasn’t good but luckily nothing was taken. I did raise it with the Tui rep and reception and it didn’t happen again. No cockroaches in the room at all. In fact I only saw one cockroach and that was on the pathway to the pool (it was dead) on the last day. I understand why the hotel have the cup policy but walking around with your cup in the evening was not the best. But that’s only a little moan. I did change my cups daily which wasn’t a problem. Yes the pool bar area has an unpleasant smell like off milk but hardly sat there. All in all it was a lovely holiday. Maybe we got lucky with our room. I’m not sure what some people expect from an All Inclusive in Spain/the Canaries. It’s never going to be the same as the Caribbean or Turkey. Would I return possibly but I try to never go to the same place twice.

Spent two weeks here and I’d go back. It’s a solid 4/5, but I’d call it a good 3-star not a proper 4-star. Just a few things holding it back from a five.

Food was very good overall, especially the pizza and local dishes. Snack bar pretty poor and badly placed, shoved into the back corner of the hotel. Drinks were fine, although the cups were small. Pool bar often had a large queue though, a second staff member wouldn't hurt.

The beer on tap is Amstel and the fountain drinks are all Coca-Cola branded which was nice.

I'd recommend avoiding the meatballs though. Awful. Plenty of much better food with nightly rotation between different types of food.

Animation team were excellent, a definite highlight, great with families and very friendly. Kids’ activities and evening shows were good. Staff were great in general in all areas.

The theatre being so far from the lobby bar was frustrating though; In 14 nights there, nothing happened at the (More comfortable) lobby bar, while everything was on the other side of the complex in the evening at the pool bar (which did not have enough seating for entertainment) or at the theatre (Where they were closing the bar before 10pm).

Rooms are big (suites) and the aircon worked well. Cleaning wasn't great; towels and mugs weren’t always replaced (As in they would remove dirty ones and leave fewer behind, or just leave dirty mugs without touching them - for 5 days in one case) and the floors weren't cleaned well. Bedsheets were always changed and beds made though.

Never had an issue getting a sunbed. Pool could have been cleaner - water was often cloudy, and watched the staff cleaning in the morning not going near sides/corners. The smaller pool at the side was in far better condition though.

Location is fine for Playa Flamingo but not especially handy for the main strip. Would recommend a taxi to Playa Dorada where the water was crystal clear.