Riu Waikiki Hotel

9 readers found this review helpful

This was my boyfriend and I's first holiday together and although I had been to Playa del Ingles before it was both of our first time in all inclusive hotels. The staff were very helpful and friendly on our arrival and we were shown to our room which was on the top floor but this was ok because there was a lift.
Our room was spacious and clean with a roomy balcony and a clean bathroom. The only thing missing was a fridge to put water etc in.
On our first day we were told what dinner time sitting we would be on as there is two sittings at night night. The breakfast buffet was lovely with american style pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, cheeses, cold meats, an assortment of bread, many cereals and hot drinks and fruit juices. There was so much to choose from and it was all really nice.
Lunch and dinner were pretty similar with the chefs preparing steaks and fish on a griddle in front of you. There was vegetables, a salad and fruit bar, vegetarian option and many freshly prepared cakes plus icecreams for desserts. The drinks on tap such as wine and beer were decent too. All in all the food was a pleasant surprise but as we were there for two weeks I did start to become a bit sick of it toward the end as there is just so much to choose from.
The evening entertainment was not very good, we would take a pack of cards down and play whilst listening to the acts which were very cheesy impersonators and tribute acts( which are to some people tastes.
This hotel was a pleasant surprise and definately worth the money. The staff were more than willing to help with any of your needs and sent up a hamper full of treats on my boyfriends birthday with no word from us and also sung to him too.
We will be going back there.

4 readers found this review helpful

From the moment we arrived at the Hotel, to the moment we left, we had an amazing time. Everyone was very friendly, rooms were clean, foot excellent, entertainment great. I would definitely have no qualms recommending this hotel to anyone as we were so impressed.
A fantastic holiday, most definitely wanted to stay for longer than a week. 10 out of 10.

7 readers found this review helpful

Have just returned from one week all inclusive at this hotel and I read some of the reviews on this page before we left and think I may have been to a totally different hotel than some of the other people leaving reviews.
Rooms were along the lines of a travel lodge. Each room had a free safety deposit box and tv which had loads of channels (we stayed in tower B) including Cartoon Network which was good for quiet times for my 6 year old. There is an extra large tv in the downstairs saloon which showed the football games (we only discovered this after going elsewhere to watch the Scotland game).
Pool was very very clean. Staff cleaned it daily, in fact staff we always cleaning everywhere, the hotel was spotless all round, never yet saw any beasties. Loads of sunbeds which again were cleaned daily although it is worth getting up about 8 to secure a spot for the day.
Food was plentiful. Loads of variety every night, fresh fruit and veg galore and loads of show cooking also. Bacon, sausages, eggs etc every morning together with at least a choice of 9 cereals, 3 fruit juices, loads of bread, rolls, pastries etc. Lunch was either a choice of burgers, hot dogs, pizza and toasties in the pool bar or yet more plentiful choice in the restaurant. Evening meal was in two sittings, 6.30 or 8.30. You are assigned a table at the start of your stay which is yours for dinner every night - again loads of selection every time. Only slight comment here would be no childrens menu.
Entertainment is excellent. My 6 year old loved the kids club and made loads of friends between about the ages of 6 and 9. Kids club runs from 10.30 till 1pm then 3.30 till 5pm daily. Dominique and Letti are amazing with the kids and my son did not want to leave today. Every night their is a disco for them and they are awarded certificates for their efforts during the day. I have no idea where these girls get their energy from but they are brilliant. Hotel Reps are really good. Betty the boss runs a tight ship, but she has a great team who put their all into everything they do. There are at least 3 activites during the day for adults such as shooting, darts, shuffleboard, shulpa, pool etc, not to mention the daily water polo game and bingo at 4.30pm. Adults are also awarded certficates at night for their efforts and it can become quite competitive between adults-all good fun. Evening entertainment is great - Grease is a must see.
Drinks were in plentiful supply, 6 soft drinks, 3 wines, 2 lagers, at least a dozen different cocktails, a dozen different hot drinks, plenty of spirits too. Staff were always polite, but needless to say Germans have not mastered the good old "how to queue" routine which became frustrating at times.
Resort - didnt see much of this am afraid as we were kept too entertained in the hotel but we did make it to the beach which is super busy, we walked along to the sand dunes which are amazing and came across the nudist beach which is definately not for kids of a certain age !
Summary
We had a fantastic time, met some fantastic people (you know who you are) and would definately go back, but for more than one week next time.

2 readers found this review helpful

I arrived at the hotel Rui Wakiki on the 29th September with my boyfreind and another couple it was a really hot day and when we got there we were very impressed the hotel looked lovely and the reception staff were nice and spoke alot of languages. As we come in the afternoon our rooms were not quite ready so they gave us our wristbands and we were aloud to go and have lunch straight away, which i thought was good!
Round the pool they have entertainment its mainly fashion shows and water areobics cos no one really does the water polo. Think they also do football and archery but we didnt do that!
Food is really good and there is always plenty to eat! Cocktails are good too!
The hotel is situated just a walk away from every thing so is really good!
The only downful is that it is more for Germans but it really didnt bother us they was all polite and it made no difference to the holiday!
Overall we had a lovely stay there are lots of things to do in Gran Caneria and I would go back again! x x x

2 readers found this review helpful

Rooms
Generally clean and tidy. Maid service daily. Each room was equipped with a safe which was free and a t.v. which could pick up at least one English-speaking channel. None picked up sports and there were no t.v's in the bar areas showing soccer. We found some bars just around the corner and spent some time there watching the odd game. There was internet access in reception.
Pool
Clean with plenty of sunbeds. We didn’t have any trouble finding empty ones. There are rules about reserving sunbeds etc, but they are completely ignored.
Food
Well cooked and plentiful, if a bit repetitive. Some of our party got so bored with it they ate at some local restaurants off the complex. Only got bacon for breakfast once. Thankfully we got first sitting (6:30) so we had time to grab some seats in the downstairs entertainment area. Many people came down after the 8:30 sitting and couldn’t get seats. If you are on the early sitting don’t dare turn up for food after 7:15 else you’ll be in for a ticking off.
Entertainment
Entertainment was in a large downstairs bar which smelled awful. Viewing was restricted by pillars and seating was limited. The entertainment was geared towards Germans and everything was repeated in at least 4 languages. Only one decent show all week. We went to the Yumbo or to nearby bars for some entertainment.
Drinks
Some of the bar staff were ignorant and, in one case, down right rude. These guys are working set hours and aren’t taking any money over the counter so there’s no incentive for them to be polite or to stay open longer. Closing time, like everything else, is geared around central Europeans. The bars shut at 12:00 dead (which is 1:00 a.m to the Germans). They even have security guards that make sure you don’t linger around.
Plenty of soft drinks and spirits, but you only have a choice of one beer and it’s pretty average. There are plenty of bars nearby anyway. The Yumbo centre is about 10-15 minutes walk away, or just over 2 Euros by Taxi.
Resort
Playa del Ingles was pretty much deserted. It was almost as though we’d arrived off-season. The only place that had any life was Sparkles in the Yumbo centre. Well worth a visit. The shopping centre was very quiet by day and even the Irish centre was dead.
Summary
The whole place is geared towards Germans who outnumbered everyone else. We spent so much time off the complex looking for decent drinks, food and nightlife (that didn’t stop at midnight) that it wasn’t worth going all-inclusive. Won’t be going back.

1 reader found this review helpful

We came back from our stay at the Rui and had an amazing time...ignore comments about the rooms being basic, they were all you need for an all inclusive holiday, as there is no need to be in your room unless you are getting ready or sleeping. The laundering service was amazing, our room was cleaned every day and we were left clean beds and clean towels. On arrival we were made to feel welcome and all the staff were excellent and so friendly. The food was out of this world, there was so much choice and i didnt have anything twice, there was so much choice, the other thing i liked was that you are given a seat on your first day and thats where you sit every meal time.
The location was ok however if you are going out in the evening, be prepared to be bombarded by youngsters, it can be quite intimidating at times.
The Beach is gorgouse and really clean.
Overall we had a really nice holiday and would recommend the hotel to others. There were lots of Germans but they were really friendly and were only doing what everyone else was doing and thats having a nice relaxing holiday.
Oh yeah defo give it more than a 3 star any day

This hotel is absolutely gorgeous, friendly staff and nothing was too much trouble. Lots of Germans but also lots of English and everyone was very polite, even when Germany was playing Spain in the Euro final!!! Food was excellent, drinks great, entertainment was very enjoyable. Our six year old son thoroughly enjoyed the kids club. The room was nice and clean and the restaurant and pool area was immaculate. We only went for one week but loved it so much we have booked next year for twice as long.

We've just come back from the riu waikiki hotel with 6 in our party. On all of the sites they say that this hotel is a 3+ but it is really a 3 star. When we checked in the staff behind the desk were very friendly but the accomidation is very basic. Plenty of sun beds but worth getting up early to secure a decent spot. Pool is a good size and is well maintained. This hotel is used mainly by German holiday makers.
The hotel and the rooms are cleaned daily. The entertainment in the night is quite funny but a lot of it is in german,but that doesn't really bother you.
Food is ok but it gets repetative.
We recommend this hotel to adults with kids. But we wont be visitig again.

me and my husband stayed here for our honeymoon and and enjoyed every minute of it. the hotel is very clean the food is great plenty of choice. the only down side was lack of sunbeds and loud music played in the pool/bar area everyday. i would definetly go back to this hotel. the beach is not that far away but it is quite hard to get to there are lots of steps but there are steps everywhere in playa del ingles and would not recomend this for the less mobile. the hotel is nicely situated with bars, shops, and resturants close by and only a short taxi ride from the famous jumbo centre (dont go on a sunday most things are closed)

Good hotel the location of the hotel is not brillant however the food choice is great and the food is of good quality.
Most drinks are self service, the only downfall of the holiday you need to be very ealy to get your sunbed. very few English mostly German,Swiss and Russian.