Riu Costa Del Sol

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

8197 reviews

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  Relaxing Stay with Great Pools and Location, but Food Could Improve

  We stayed at the RIU Costa del Sol from 13–20 September as a couple and overall had a very enjoyable, relaxing week in the sunshine. First impressions of the hotel were excellent: modern, clean and very well kept, with a stylish reception area, chilled bar, and beautifully maintained grounds. Check-in was smooth, with friendly, welcoming staff who gave a clear overview of the hotel and its facilities. While the RIU app is encouraged for online check-in, I found it a little unreliable beforehand and had to contact support a few times. That said, the in-person experience at reception more than made up for it. On arrival, our request for a high floor with a pool view (made via the RIU app) wasn’t met, and we were allocated a room overlooking a rooftop and the main road with little privacy. However, after raising this with reception, we were promptly reallocated to a higher floor room with a proper pool view - a much better option, and we really appreciated how quickly this was handled. The room itself was clean, comfortable, and well equipped, with twin beds, a large walk-in shower, double sinks, separate toilet, TV, fridge, safe, kettle with tea/coffee, and plenty of wardrobe space. The main area that fell short for me was the food. The buffet was repetitive, with limited variety and an over-reliance on convenience items such as pizza, burgers, and fries. Desserts looked appealing but were bland and disappointing. I appreciate the hotel has a big task catering for 1500 guests from multiple nationalities, but for me the food lacked any thought and passion. The themed Italian restaurant was underwhelming too - many of the starters and desserts mirrored the main restaurant buffet, although the freshly cooked main was a nice touch. Restaurant staff, however, were consistently friendly and worked hard to keep everything running smoothly. We opted to eat out some days whilst we looked for something different. The pool area was a highlight. Spotlessly clean, with five pools in total (three large, two for children), there was always space to relax, and loungers were plentiful despite the hotel being busy. The background music created a lively but not intrusive atmosphere. We didn’t attend the evening entertainment, as it wasn’t really our preference, but it was clear the animation team put a lot of energy into their work. The hotel also offers a gym and spa, though we didn’t use these during our stay. The location is fantastic: directly opposite the beach, a short stroll into the town and shops, with plenty of local restaurants and pubs nearby. The airport is close too, so transfers were quick and easy. Overall, our stay was everything we needed - hot, sunny, and chilled. With improvements to the dining experience (greater variety, themed nights, and perhaps more external entertainment acts), this hotel has the potential to be excellent. As it stands, I’d happily recommend it over others in the area.

  Sep 20, 2025
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  Enjoyable stay but lotw of little things wrong

  So as a RIU 4 star i was expecting a little bit more.. The room although modern needed a paint lots of marks and chips on the wall, mold on the tiles in the bath and a really annoying ceiling fan that was dangerously low and made a constant noise. Speaking of noise its not the place to come if you want peace and quiet lots of noise at all times of the day. The bathroom towels were shocking thread bare with holes in. The pool towells weren't much better and they could only be changed between 4-6 each day.. The food was pretty good plenty of choice and the staff and service was overall good.. the clientel was quite old so not the place to come for a rowdy time.. the entertainment was very poor. Apart from the guitar duo on the last night the rest was embarrassingly bad. So theres my view. Overall stay was ok but would not rush back

  Sep 20, 2025
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  Top Class Hotel

  Our first time at this hotel, although we have stayed at quite a few other RIU hotels, and this one didn't disappoint on any aspect. From the moment we checked in until the day we left we were amazed at the quality and cleanliness of every facility in the hotel. Large airy bedroom with balcony looking towards the sea, huge shower room, comfortable beds which had the sheets changed twice in our week stay. The public rooms were well maintained and spotless. Toilets especially. There always seemed to be a cleaner in when you needed to pay a visit ! Food was excellent and plentiful. Bar staff always seemed to be cheerful despite long days. I can't really find fault with anything except perhaps the knives in the dining room could be a bit sharper but that's just being picky. 2 couples and we really enjoyed our stay

  Sep 15, 2025
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  Lovely hotel with a few minor issues

  We stayed here for the Triathlon World Championships and a short holiday afterward. Overall, we were happy with our stay and would return for a similar occasion. This review focuses on areas that could be improved and explains why we rated 4/5 stars. Room & Comfort Our room was spacious, clean and had a lovely view, though it felt a little worn down. Sleep quality was an issue due to the spring mattress, which was uncomfortable. Note that my parents (staying in another part of the hotel) had a different mattress and found theirs comfortable. Another drawback was the thin walls. We could hear our neighbours talking, snoring and their TV was so loud that we had to knock on their door at midnight to ask them to turn it down (after getting through two nights of noise, the third was unbearable). Food & Drinks The all-inclusive option was convenient but limited, especially with cocktails, so we often went to nearby bars instead, which turned out to be excellent. We also noticed that the quality of food varied throughout the week. At the beginning, when there were mainly pensioners staying, meals seem to be a lower quality. Toward the end of our stay, as more families arrived, the food improved significantly. Facilities & Location The hotel’s location was perfect for our needs and the pool area was spacious. However, sun-loungers were often reserved as early as 6–7 am, even though the pool stayed empty until around 10-11am. We always managed to find a spot in corner, but would appreciate if the hotel put measures in place. In our section of the hotel, there were only two lifts, which made it very difficult to use them during peak times. Since we were on the top floor (9th if I remember corectly), we often ended up taking the stairs. Summary We enjoyed our stay and would recommend the hotel for a similar trip. Improvements to sleep comfort and soundproofing (in some rooms) would make the experience even better.

  Sep 12, 2025
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  Boring Food, No Service, Not for Relaxation

  I stayed at RIU Costa del Sole and, while the hotel is clean and well maintained, the experience left me underwhelmed. I ended up with an upset stomach, which I suspect came from the swimming pool – often crowded with babies in nappies and children. It’s far from relaxing and definitely not suited for couples. The food was repetitive and bland, offering little variety. The overall atmosphere felt more like a busy bus station than a four-star hotel. On top of that, the place is completely lacking any personal touch. You’re left to do everything yourself, with little effort from the staff to create a welcoming or attentive experience. In short: if you’re looking for a family-oriented hotel where kids are the focus, this might work. But for couples or anyone expecting service, atmosphere, and a genuine four-star experience, this is not the right choice.

  Sep 07, 2025