Riviera Hotel – Benalmadena – Costa Del Sol

Went to the Riviera Hotel in Benalmadena on recommendation, had read the reviews & was looking forward to arriving. However my immediate reaction on arrival was that the hotel was in need of a refurb, as did several other guests especially the carpets in our room which very badly stained & marked.

The sheets were changed every other day & the towels each day if you required. The food was poor when we first arrived but picked up dramatically in the second week. There was a scramble for the sunbeds & there was even a fight over this one morning! The main clientele going to this hotel were older and although we are in our forties, we did not feel out of place as there were people of our age & younger there too & I have to say met some lovely people.

The staff were OK and the maids worked very hard. The entertainment started at 10 / 11 each night. What surprised me was that there is a seating area outside with tables & chairs & a lot of guests liked to sit outside at night & chat, but at 12 o clock the lights were knocked out & everyone was left sitting in the dark. This happened every night regardless of how many people remained. Not good, especially for people trying to find their way back into the hotel with no lights.

The location of the Riviera hotel is good with easy access to both beach & shops. The promenade is flat & easy to walk or push a wheelchair, although the hotel it is right next to a VERY busy road & can be a bit noisy. Rumours were rife that this hotel is to be downgraded to a 3 star next year and I must say I would agree with that, as I don’t think it merited a 4 star rating.

I would recommend this hotel for older guests or middle-age couples but not for the younger generation.
If the hotel had a refurb I might go again, but not in the forseeable future.

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