Riu Waikiki Hotel, Playa Del Ingles, Canary Islands
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
The Riu Waikiki was completely renovated several years ago, is situated right in the centre of Playa del Ingles. There are two large shopping and leisure centres nearby, as well as a supermarket. The hotel comprises of five 7-storey circular buildings. There are 505 well-equipped guest rooms with large terraces. Two restaurants with non-smoking section, Lounge bar with TV and card games area, Hairdresser, Kiosk/boutique, Swimming pool (heated in winter), Children’s swimming pool (heated in winter), Complimentary lounge chairs, cabins and sun umbrellas by the pool, Terrace-solarium, Pool snack bar, Mini-club and children’s playground.Nearby Hotels Viewed by Other Travellers
Riu Waikiki Hotel Reviews
" Lovely Place.. Going Back "
Submitted By: tigerlydOur 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.
Advice: Loved Playa del Ingles- Very lively and great for young people and couples.
Activities: You must eat at Steak El Rancho, gorgeous fillet. Visit Peurto de mogan and go on a submarine.
Good for: Beach
" Fab Hol!! "
Submitted By: chapsgirlA fantastic holiday, most definitely wanted to stay for longer than a week. 10 out of 10.
" Well worth a visit !! "
Submitted By: DPatonRooms 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.
" nice stay "
Submitted By: clairexxxxxRound 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
" Rooms
Generally clean and tidy.... "
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.
" We came back from our stay at the Rui... "
Submitted By: Mrs R EllisThe 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,... "
Submitted By: Mrs P Stoddart" We've just come back from the riu... "
Submitted By: Mr R CleevelyThe 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... "
Submitted By: Mrs T Horncastle" Good hotel the location of the hotel... "
Submitted By: Mrs K TurnerMost 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.
" Me and my husband went here on our... "
Submitted By: Mrs N SpriggsWe arrived at half4 in the mornin and was offered a drink which we thought was nice until the last day when our flight wasnt until mid night and they kick us out of our room at 9am with our luggage and was told that out luggage could be put in a room but we couldnt get at it until we was due to leave. So we ended up just stayin round the pool allday and catching the last bit of sun. We never ate lunch and we had missed breakfast so we was looking forward to our evening meal. We went into the restaurant sat down at our set seats then just as my husband sat down with his food the hotel manager told us that we had to get out of the restaurant as we had checked out and we was no longer guests at the hotel. When i tried to confront her she spoke to me in spanish which in return i asked could she speak in english which she then translated to tell me that cos we had had a drink wen we landed that we had used a 1day alloction of evening meals which ment we wasnt entitled to one that day.
I was so annoyed as i had payed for this and when i repoted it to riu they are investigating into it as we speak.
" Me and my partner arrived at riu on... "
Submitted By: Miss V WhiteThe room was very plesent,it didn't have air conditoioning but there was a ceiling fan which kept us cool, the room was cleaned everyday no matter what time we left and always had clean towels.
The food as mentioned before could to some people seem repetitive, however there is always alot to choose from. Breakfast was severl cerials, and bread to choose from, also had cooked side aswell. Lunch was burgers,hotdogs,chips,pizza,garlic bread, tosties. Then there was a variety of cakes,fruit and ice creame for desert. With the evening meal there was a large variety of food which was always freshly cook. The food was so nice i found myself going up more then once at all meal times because it was good.Drinks were also good.Fizzy drinks,juice,water,beer and wine on tap you could help yourself too.Riu also do cocktails both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and alot of spirtits.
The only thing which was a negative about the holiday was the germans.I read alot of previews on this hotel which mention the germans which didn't put us off at all.However 'some' can be very rude and ignorant.
Playes de ingles is really nice, alot of shops,bars, restaurants. There is quite a few english bars and restaurants which were good.Its very hot. The taxis were really cheap so easy way of getting places.
The holiday overall was fantastic me and my partner both wished we stayed for two weeks rather then one. As it was such a nice place. apart from the germans however but we just ignored them. Riu wakkiki is really nice clean open hotel.Food drinks and service is excellent Would def reccomend this hotel as i really want to go back again.
" I've been to Gran Canaria twice and... "
Submitted By: Miss K Laine" My husband and I stayed at the Riu... "
Submitted By: Mrs M CharlesworthWe then walked through into the extremely cramped main hotel area, to see nothing but Germans, all staring at us like we had no right to be there, or had 3 heads! The hotel was meant for Germans only, and this was reflected at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food was well cooked but repetitive. The entertainment was also all in German, and quite frankly, pathetic. The entertainment took place in a shabby room in the basement of the hotel; it smelled strange and resembled a working men’s' club!
We then went to our room after a drink or two, to find a very small and boiling hot room. The air conditioning is really missed. There was also one power socket in the whole room, and that was in the bathroom - not safe at all. The view was also terrible - another hotel tower, and a motorway. It was so noisy and not relaxing at all.
Around the pool sunbathing was impossible - the entire area was in the shade due to the imposing hotel buildings.
Playa Del Ingles is also a total dump - just like Blackpool, only 50 times worse.
The rest of Gran Canaria is OK at best - not a patch on the lovely Lanzarote.
To sum up, the hotel felt like a prison, and we will not return to the hotel, or Gran Canaria.








After dinner we were shown to our room, it was big, very spacious & clean. All you need on holiday, it was basic but who cares you only sleep in it. We had a tv and a free safety deposit box & a roomy balcony.
Maids cleaned your room everyday & changed beds & towels twice a week which was enough.
Breakfast lunch & dinner were all super, so much choice of food, all freshly cooked & all hot meats etc cooked in front of you, so many choices of drink on tap all day also.
We had no trouble at the bars asking for cocktails or shots or spirts. Beer wine & soft drinks were all on tap & plentiful.
All food was in the restuarant or pool bar & you literally could eat from 8am to midnight!
Pool was big with plenty of sunbeds & umbrellas but after 8am you would struggle to find a decent spot. Pool got very busy with lilos and pool games around lunchtime though. Only downside to pool was the white paint around the outside, it came off over clothes & lilos, not good. Pool cleaned everynight though & all day around the pool cups etc were collected & sunbeds cleaned early morning.
Never saw any of the evening entertainment, it was in the inside bar so we sat in the pool bar until midnight then went off to the kasbah centre for the nightlife - def for the young. Yumbo centre also nearby but a gay hotspot - lots of gaybars & drag shows!
Beach was quite a walk but we got the free bus, was ok for a day but got very busy & you have to pay for sunbeds etc.
Loads of entertainment & games all day for adults & kids. Went to the waterpark, not as good as it looks & a complete rip off! Id recommed a boat trip from Puerto Rico though - very nice.
All in all a good holiday & would go back to Gran Canaria, maybe a different hotel though.
Advice: Lively for youngsters
Activities: Kasbah centre
Good for: Beach