Riu Arecas

Our third visit to this hotel here now, booked a high floor pool view room which we didn’t get we’re looking at a brick wall,said they offer another room which was looking at band stand so we stayed put, so we paid £120 for a pool view or brick wall so be careful as we won’t be coming back, very disappointed with customer service.

I will start off by saying that i ( we ) really enjoyed our 9 nights half board at riu arecas. Heres my review from start to fin.

The price that we got the hotel for was really really good. The reviews were decent and riu being a decent trusted brand we decided to book, we are riu members and asked for a high room, with a view of the pool if possible, now i know its whats available but to be on level 2 with no view whatsoever, literally a roof off your balcony then its a bit dissapointing.

We took advantage of the free transfer, my advice to travellers, BOOK A TAXI, our flight arrived at 6.00pm, we had got through customs, and had our bags by 6.20, ( super quick ) made our way to where we were told and had to wait for 40 mins for the bus to arrive, we were then the last hotel drop off, having past the hotel jacaranda 4 times. We finally got to our hotel at 9.20, over 3 hrs, a taxi takes 25 mins max.

Check in was good, the chap on reception took our passports, told us to get diiner before it closed and he would sort check in, which was great of him.

The room, we read some reviews saying the hotel was dated, it seemed fine to us, the shower wasnt the greatest but clean, hot, the room had blackout blinds, plenty of space for clothes, lots of coathangers, a fridge, tv ( not many english chanels, kettle, free safe. Beds were comfy enough too.. cant complain about that much at all about the room, poss fit a new shower ( room 2025 ) as its starting to go a little rusty. Staff were fine, friendly, great service, guys on the reception were great and sorted my little problem i had out, Which takes me to ONE of the reasons i didnt give a 5, so nothing is cash, you order your drinks, give your room number and sign for your drinks, then pay reception when you check out, well i like to pay my way as i go so every other day i went and paid our bill, but one time when i went to pay it was a little higher than i imagined so asked to read the itemised reciept, well you get a complimentry meal in the spanish restuarant, which is a nice little change and we had some drinks in there, but looking at the bill someone in the normal restuarant had ordered 4 or 5 drinks onto our account, which we knew we hadnt had as we dont like what they were on the same night, reception did sort the problem but its not a great way to do it, i could easily of ended up paying for others drinks ( i may of ). But like i say, all got sorted.

My biggest gripe is the location, there is literally nothing nearby bar a couple of supermarkets, for people that want to stay in the hotel all stay its great, but we like to wander about and there really is nothing within a 10 min walk really.

The hotel is great, clean, great pool areas, decent priced beers and drinks, and we really did enjoy our stay, entertainment was ok but finished at 10.30, but then music is all done, at least leave some background music playing, people ( us included) felt you had to just go to bed, just play music till 23.00/23.30.

But overall if you want a chilled stay. Onsite then this would be a great hotel, food was great. But for me the location is what would maybe stop me returning, tho if the price was right again id not hesitate on it.

But like i say, dont use the complimentry transfer.