Hotel Riu Papayas 4*

Really lovely place, so impressed with the facilities and how helpful and friendly the staff were. My youngest daughter loved the art classes and it was really handy to for her when she needed a break from the sun. The bus that runs from the hotel to the beach and back, was so good as we always have so much to bring back and it took the stress of finding a taxi or walking back away. The entertainers were so much fun and were really good at interacting with people, even if you didn’t want to take part in the activities. The outside bar in the evening was really good for sitting chatting at the end of the evening or playing cards, it had a really nice chilled out vibe. Overall it was a really lovely holiday, my husband is really quite particular about Hotels and he was so impressed and said he would love to come back but also myself and two daughters would also said they would love to return there.

RIU Papayas is located in the Playa Del Ingles region of Gran Canaria. Great place to be based if you want to be in the livelier part of the region. You are around a 20 minute walk from the beach but there is also a shuttle every hour or so which takes you to and from the beach which is a brilliant touch. Because of the area, the hotel is based in one large block configuration rather than individual blocks like in other places. There are stairs or 3 lifts (elevators) to get to your desired floor. The hotel offers classic RIU rooms with balcony, TV, water, tea, coffee. No optics with drinks which was disappointing. Also nothing in the fridge apart from one bottle of water. You can grab water bottles freely from the bar downstairs. There is one pool but can and does get crowded very quickly so yes there are sunbed wars. Quite disappointed that there was no sports bar. Travelled with a friend and we both enjoy football but we had to go to a bar away from the hotel every time - apart from the RIU party at RIU Gran Canaria which felt like more of the normal RIU experience. Sidenote: Our transfer was at 5PM with checkout at 12PM. I do wish there was a space in the hotel with air con that you can sit and relax with a drink without the fear of sweating all day. This is why something like a sports bar would be amazing. I think the food was a bit of let down too. Breakfast was continental and standard so can't complain, however the options for lunch and evening just weren't there. We found ourselves eating fries, pizza and pasta most days and 4 of the 7 days we decided to eat out. We're not picky eaters at all, but sometimes the food looked samey or not the most appetising. The Spanish restaurant had good options and I was happy with that meal and service. The Asian restaurant again, slightly disappointing. Not many options. Feel like the dishes could have just been part of the main restaurant. I cannot for one second fault the staff. Brilliant individuals that clearly care about what they do and help in every way possible. Bar staff generous with drinks and reception staff were easy to speak to. This is my 3rd RIU hotel and unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations set by the other two. If you want a simple, easy holiday near the beach with simple and easy food and drink then absolutely choose RIU Papayas. However if you're wanting the full all-inclusive, multiple pool, sports bar extravaganza, I would look at the other RIU hotels on the island.