Riu Nautilus

10 readers found this review helpful

During the last thirty years my wife anmd I have stayed at many four and five star hotels and it is from this experience that I am able unreservedly to recommend the Hotel Riu Nautilus. The greeting on arrival, a glass of bucks fizz and the welcoming smiles from the Reception team made us feel at home immediately. Our room, although not the largest that we have had, was most comfortable and the view of the pool and the sea was perfect. The amenities of the hotel were first class. The restaurant, although self service buufet, was spacious and never seemed crowded or noisy. The food was excellent and always served piping hot. The selection was such that it took about four days before we got round to trying all the variations available. The pool restaurant also served excellent food.
Evening entertainment was pleasant without too much noise and the occasional speciality evenings were superb.
The staff were all very helpful and smiling.
The promenade to the rear of the hotel was most enjoyable for walking along a very flat paseo maritime. No hills and plenty of fine fish restaurants.
The only possible complaint would be that the road opposite the front of the hotel was filled with typical english bars and restaurants, although this was an advantage for a quick snack and very cheap beer and spirits.
We enjoyed our seven days at the hotel last year and have now booked a return for ten days this coming September.

2 readers found this review helpful

Riu Nautilus is a fantastic hotel! I went there with my husband and 3 children, 2 are teenagers and the other is 6.
The location is perfect as it's right on the beach, which we walked along in the evening as the entertainment was a bit of a disappointment, though there is a mini disco.
There are a few places to play golf which kept my children occupied! The rooms are very clean, comfortable and have a lot of space, there is a mini-bar, TV, safe, plenty of wardrobe space with hangers, drawers, hair dryer, some had double sinks, balcony.
The hotel pool is a very good size, but the shallow end is 0.94 metres so my 6 year old son could just stand up, but it didn't stop him coming in with his armbands! There is a baby pool which was good. Around the pool there were plenty of comfortable sunbeds and lovely views of the sea and mountains.
There are loads of restaurants along the beach, which are ideal if you want something to eat for lunch, though the pool bar food is nice and fairly priced.
There is a games room which we spent some time in and there is also internet access. And outside you can play table tennis and pool.
The food was excellent. There was a wide choice of food and all good quality. At dinner the only bad thing was the long queue for ice cream, but it did go down quickly. Other desserts were fruit and cakes. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming.
Sealife, the aquarium was a waste of time and money. They claim to have the biggest collection of sharks in Europe, which I found quite amusing as there they weren't many sharks and the ones we did see were tiny in comparison to the sharks in the London Aquarium.
I would definitely go there again and would highly recommend this hotel to families, elderly and couples.

2 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I (both early 40's) visited this hotel (nearer Belnamadena than Torremolinos) for 10 days in June 2007. Very impressed with accommodation, outside pool and friendliness of staff.
Food selection very good but we like to dine out occasionally so visited the Nahoor Mahal Indian Restaurant (opposite Triton Hotel) twice which was the best Indian meal we have ever had and comes highly recommended.
Like others have said only slight complaint is the need to have more English Channels on bedroom TV, and consideration to be given to have some tribute bands as a form of entertainment rather than the usual flamenco dancers, organ players etc which everyone has become tired of, and doesn't encourage you to remain within the hotel for the evening.
On that note we became a regular of across the roads "Toms Tavern" which is now under the new management of the extremely friendly Dave and Jean ably assisted by man of many faces Mike (Paul O'Grady, Jimmy Saville, Johnny Depp, Richard Gere (From a distance !!). This pub is an excellent meeting place for repeat visitors as well as being only 2 euro a drink. Try it well worth a visit.
In summary would definitely visited this hotel and resort again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Booked Hotel through the RIU site which worked out the cheapest for the week we were going.
The hotel and staff were 1st class. The food was the best we have had anywhere, hot, varied and presented beautifully. The hotel is right on the promenade and really is nearer to Benalmadena that Torremolinos. Good location for anyone with walking difficulties.
At breakfast if you wanted coffee you were given a thermos at your table and you served yourself tea in a tea pot which saved trips to and from the machine. At dinner there was a special dish served by the chef and a speciality sweet, baked Alaska, warm strawberries served in liqueur, etc.
The manager came round your table every meal to make sure you were enjoying your stay and the atmosphere was very friendly, we felt they really did want you to enjoy your stay.
There were people there who had come back year after year and lots of people holidaying alone.
We had a room over looking the pool with a sea view but unfortunately no sun but the view was so beautiful we didn't want to change.
They rang us when we had been in the room about half an hour to make sure it was suitable. If you do want the sun you need to be in the main building quite high up, especially in winter.
The entertainment in the hotel was ok with the resident host and of course the odd game of bingo but 3-4 nights a week there was dancers, acrobats etc which were very good. Again waiters excellent, friendly and efficient.
Lots of cheap bars at the back of the hotel the friendliest we found was 'Toms Tavern' where the drinks were less than half anywhere else. 2euro for a G and T etc, good music and banter, lots of regulars go in there.
Bus and train service good. No taxis at the nearest train station so if you are coming from the airport by train go to Torremolinos and get a taxi.
Will be going back and highly recommend.

The Riu hotel group offer everything which is first class. Food, accommodation and position of the hotel are just so good, one does not want to stay in any other hotel. Torremolinos is a resort which has a lot to offer.
An excellent promenade for walking with delightful bars and shops and a very nice beach. The town also offers excellent shopping facilities. All in all a resort to return to.

1 reader found this review helpful

I went with my girlfriend in July 2005 to the RIU Nautilus in the southern of Spain. This is a super hotel.
The rooms are big and excellent. The food is very various. And you have different towns not so far from the hotel. If you want to see Andalusië, please go then to this hotel. Malaga is at 30 minutes with the bus from the hotel and Benalmadena is at 500 meters from it. Benalmadena is really wonderful. If you want eat tapas, better go than to Malaga. You will not regret your vacation in this hotel
Greets
Nick

1 reader found this review helpful

My sister and I have just returned from a superb holiday at this hotel.
We did not know what to expect, but from the very start, we could not have wished for a better welcome. The hotel is spotless, staff helpful and friendly, food wonderful and entertainment good. This hotel is a must for all those who want a relaxing, quiet and friendly holiday.
The weather was a bonus, with temperatures 27 degrees plus. We have stayed in a Riu Hotel before in the Dominican Republic so knew this would be good, but wow, it could have not been better.
Well done to all the hardworking staff, we will be back.

Excellent FOOD, there was a buffet for breakfast and dinner a dish for everyone’s taste. Excellent staff - always there to help, quick serive. Clean environment. Very lively city with great nightlife. A* - MUST STAY PLACE. Comfy beds in spacious rooms.
The access of internet in the hotel is a bonus, I was on it every night surfing the web like www.holidaywatchdog.com
Swimming pool backs onto beach with great view