Holiday World Riwo Hotel.

Honestly after reading all the bad reviews I was terrified of having a bad 2 weeks but the hotel was amazing. Yes the food is repetitive through the week and isn’t as hot as it could be. But the staff are incredible. Nayra, Mica from the animation team became amazing friends, Johanna from the dining room staff is amazing with the kids. By the 3rd day all the bar staff knew your drink order and served you with a smile. The kids only had to go to the snack bar and ask for ice cream and they would get one (no you don’t have to pay, you only pay for the branded ones) Our room was clean, everything worked and the beds were so comfortable. There could have been more going on around the pool but we understood when booking that it was the end of the season. We made friends, had a lot of laughs and really enjoyed our 2 weeks. We are looking to go back in the summer

We went here for our first family holiday. 2 adults and 2 children ( 1 year old and 8 year old) Hotel was clean and rooms very spacious. When we first arrived we were given a top floor room, but we're concerned about our 1 year old climbing over the balcony.. so we ask the staff if we could change rooms. The staff were so helpful and changed us to a lower lever room straight away to the dino themed room which my kids loved. The pool was great for young ones and the staff at the snack bar and entertainment were friendy and great with the kids Food was your typical all inclusive but there's something for everyone. Yes hotel is between 2 towns and is a 15 euro taxi each way, but we kinda knew this when booking this holiday. But shuttle bus down to main road for buses and taxis and also to the beach club which was great. Overall the hotel was ideal for our first family holiday. Would definitely recommend for families with young children. Made our first family holiday one to remember!!

Following on from my wife's review below, indeed my son's hot wheels cars were on the coffee table day two in the morning and on our return that evening all 7 of them were gone and were never found within the room also that same day €140 cash was gone I can confirm the safe was not fixed as the hotel manager has stated the door was removed to get into it for us and we were left with that for the remaining 6 days of our holiday It seems that children's toys are common things taken from rooms looking at the reviews

The hotel itself is very nice, the staff are excellent and the rooms clean and tidy although could do with updating maybe. The food was good every day although it would help if the plates were kept warm to help keep the food warm too. Always a decent selection for all meals and for a buffet style it was one of the better ones I have experienced. The downside is the location as it’s on a hill set back off the main road, now this means it’s quiet but if you want to go anywhere it’s a 5 minute walk downhill to get a bus or taxi to the closest bars and shops, and of course the walk up hill is the last thing you want after a day out. The local bus charges €1.60 to get to Benalmadena or €1.80 to go to Fuengerola which ironically is closer! There is a bus the runs up and down the hill to the hotel but if you time it wrong you can wait a while for it. That is the only downside of the hotels location. Another problem this caused was where the weather was bad, it rained all day one day, there wasn’t a lot to do around the place and it was too wet to go out. Even the British channels on the TV didn’t work very well so that day was very boring! It’s quite possibly a good place to stay in the main season when the weather is good and the water park available to use. Would I return? Unlikely based on my week there. However if you like a hotel that’s in a quiet area and you don’t want to go out much then it could be ideal. Might give it a go in high season sometime, maybe.

Just returned from this hotel - we were a family of three adults and a 6 year old. Location - this complex is out in the sticks, half way between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. There are no shops or restaurants to have a short stroll out to, apart from Geckos Beach Shack near the slope down to the beach. Didn't use public transport, but taxis to either town were about 12-15 euros. Rooms - big but very dated. Mixed opinions in our group on how comfortable the beds were. Think we may have just dropped lucky in our room. Nice to have a little kitchen area, but I would recommend taking a tea towel, cloth and a bit of washing up liquid if you are planning to use it. Kettle was provided. Bathroom has a separate shower cubicle with doors that don't close very well so you end up with a flooded floor. Neither showers over the bath in both our rooms worked. Towels are poor quality. Food - you won't starve, but it's definitely not the best all inclusive food I've ever had. Poor choice of cereal at breakfast. No milk for tea near the brew machines, and the fruit juice in the machines are just like pure sugar. They had a dispenser of real orange juice near the food, but if you got there after 10am it was empty and never refilled. Husband also found a big black hair in his food one evening, which can happen anywhere, but was a bit off putting. Hot pool snacks are poor quality, but the salad and cold meats were ok to make yourself a sandwich. Pool area - great pool for our 6 year old grandaughter and it was not overly deep. Was also a good temperature all day. Loungers are not great - grubby and they just lie flat. Didn't see any staff clearing away rubbish that people can't be bothered putting in the bin themselves. Entertainment - evening shows are poor, and the seating area cramped. We booked at reception to go over to Polynesia for their evening Entertainment which was mostly very good. Riwo guests can have AI drinks there 9-11pm, some nights they asked for our room number, so best to book. Beach club - really enjoyed the beach club. The restaurant here does better food than in Riwo. Great pool areas - something for everyone. Watch out for added costs. Extra charges for popcorn, crisps and ice creams at the pool bars. I would consider returning to the complex, but definitely not to Riwo. Polynesia is a much nicer hotel if you can stretch the extra cost. There is no way the Riwo is a 4 star hotel - an average 3 star at best.

My family stayed for 1 week. We paid for dinner and breakfast around €450. 5th night we were told to we had to pay for drinks even though they are displayed in front of customers. Young lady with mole never told us and neither did staff in the buffet. Horrible experience for myself and my family.