Hotel Riu Karamboa 5*

Beautiful location on a lovely beach. Despite being a large hotel it has a very friendly atmosphere and efficient, helpful staff. The rooms are very clean and well maintained with prompt attention to minor issues. We have been to the Karamboa many times and have always been delighted. The environment, food and staff are all great and this hotel represents excellent value

The hotel was a perfect oasis of calm and relaxation. Our room was a decent size and very clean. Towels were changed daily, and the bed linen was changed whenever we requested it. As the tap water isn't suitable for drinking, we got through quite a lot of bottled water, but this was replenished for us daily. The food could have been warmer at times. Although we ate at the Italian and Asian restaurants several times, we were never able to book the third restaurant. Both were much calmer experiences compared to the chaos of the main restaurant. At times, the main restaurant could feel quite overwhelming, especially when people would push past you to get to the food. Another issue was that the food wasn't always clearly labelled, which could be frustrating for anyone with dietary requirements. On one occasion, I was told by the chef that a stuffed parcel was vegetarian, only to discover that it actually contained tuna. This is something the hotel really needs to address, as accurate food labelling and information are important. There were also a lot of flies around, which is clearly not the hotel's fault but is still worth mentioning. There were plenty of sunbeds around the numerous pools, although some were not in the best condition. Shade was limited at times, particularly as some guests seemed to hog the umbrellas, making it difficult for others to find somewhere shaded. It is also worth mentioning that the sea can be extremely rough, so anyone planning to swim in the sea should take extra care and be mindful of the conditions. The drinks were another disappointment. There was no real selection of branded spirits, and the cocktail menu was very limited. It was also disappointing that the cocktails weren't freshly made. Soft drinks were self-service, and in the restaurant, we noticed that some tables were being served drinks while others, including ours, were not. We never really understood why there was such a difference in service. The entertainment was quite bizarre at times, so we didn't always bother watching it. Overall, we had a nice holiday and enjoyed many aspects of our stay. However, I wouldn't say the hotel meets the five-star standard that I would normally expect. There were several areas where improvements could be made, and unfortunately, I don't feel it quite lived up to our expectations of a five-star resort.