Hotel Riu Costa del Sol 4*

We have been here these days and the truth is, although it is a Riu and you cannot go wrong with the chain, this one in particular is very expensive for the prices it charges... the rooms are not well-maintained, the Italian restaurant is okay but the Andalusian one, being in Andalusia, is very mediocre, the pool closes at 7:00 PM in ANDALUSIA where it gets dark and it is 104°F until at least 10:00 PM, it could at least be open until 8:30 PM because they close the bar at 6:00 PM... the schedules and the hotel are focused on foreigners, certainly not for nationals... the staff is very pleasant as in all Rius, but taking into account that it is inside Torremolinos, that the views you have are of the beach and the apartments next door, that it barely has parking and you have to pay for the parking, that the food is average and the buffet is very short on variety and the rooms are neglected for $350 a night that it can cost, for nationals it is cheaper, of better quality and a better hotel the Riu in Punta Cana and much cheaper, indisputably...

This will be a strange review because we were booked into this hotel for 11 nights but had to go home a week early because of a family medical emergency, but I will give my opinion based on what we experienced in the short time we were there. We travelled with tui for 11 nights first thing I'm going to cover although not part of the hotel is the airport arrival. If you have walking difficulties then please book assistance because you have to walk for miles treacherous the first security check. Then another long walk to actual passport control. Queues are massive and a nightmare. Then get bags and another long walk to coaches if you have a transfer. Now the hotel upon arrival it looks really nice and arrival in reception is was not disappointed. Check in was smooth as silk and although we arrived before the official check in time and expected to be sitting for a while, we were checked in straight away and our rooms were ready. Reception staff very helpful and friendly. Score out of 5 4.5 Rooms were clean and a good size. Two good sized single beds pushed together and plenty of storage. Bathroom nice, big shower with good sized sink, toilet and bidet. Rooms cleaned every day, beds made, fresh towels daily. Score 4.5 Pools. We only used 2 so I can only comment on that. They were the main pool and sherry pool. They are a good size 1.2m deep and clean. Plenty of sunbeds but if you want a specific spot you need to get up early to put towels out as people were up as early as 6am reserving beds. The sherry pool has the snack bar which is ok but will cover that in food. Although the main pool should have a snack bar as well. As this is a family hotel expect a lot of children in pool with balls and inflatables. So if this is not for you then choose adult only hotel. Score 4 . Food. Snack bar has the usual, burgers, hot dogs, chips and other nibbles on the whole not bad. Restaurant is the typical all inclusive fair, plenty of choice even for picky eaters but not always the hottest. Beat meal of the day is breakfast, but that's just my opinion . Score 3. Bars. There are numerous bars around with very friendly staff. Local spirits other than a few named brands,they gave a cocktail list but if you want something and they have the ingredients they'll make it no problem at all. They also have peanuts and olives another bar as well. The pool bars open at 10am but they gave a self service area with soft drinks, beer, and wine which is available from 9am. Score 4. When we had to come home the reception staff were very sympathetic and got us a taxi to the airport, not really much else they could do, so a big thanks to them. Overall a great hotel realistically a 4.5 in my opinion although I gave it a 4 at the top. This is because a few little things means it can't be a 5 but there isn't an option for 4.5