Hotel Riviera, Benalmadena, Spain
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £94
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
The Hotel Riviera has wonderful views out to sea, not only from the pool terraces, but also from the dining room, where guests can enjoy the appetizing meals on offer. loading...
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Hotel Riviera Reviews
" WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY! "
Submitted By: A5H13Y81
I have been going Benalmadena for 10 Years, Always staying in the Triton Hotel, This year was our 1st wedding anniversary and we thought we would go back to Benalmadena as this is were I asked my wife to marry me, As I lost my Job we thought we would save £300 and stay in the Hotel Riviera as it was also a 4 star, Now I am no snob but I wouldnt keep my dog in this hotel!!! This is by far the most run down badly run place I have ever stayed in. I dont think it has ever been cleaned! My wife refused to take off her flip flops as the carpets were stained and and very unclean, the bathroom was even worse! the floor was not cleaned at all for our week stay,The toilet brush was just as mass of dirty tissue, tiles were broke,shower curtan was black at the bottom. Our beds were made but not changed! the decore was like an old peoples home from the 80s, the pool area was very cramped, and thats if you get up at 3am and reserve a bed as after 8am all will be taken up. I cant knock the food that as it was ok, but it was'nt 4 star, And I was refused entry as I had 3/4 trousers on, when the lady if front had the same type of trouser on. The Hotel charge £14 for a key to work the safe in the room witch I feel is alot when the door to the balcony dont even lock so you have to buy it, The road noise is another problem the doors keep no sound out at all. I could go on and on all day about this hotel and I would have nothing good to say! Benalmadena is a great place but I would never stay here again! I felt very let down and gutted that I spent money to find out how bad this hotel was, All in all I would question a 2 star rating on this hotel.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Not worth £1400 "
Submitted By: JKMaster
Paid roughly £1400 for myself and my girlfriend to go to the Hotel for 7 days. On arrival to the Airport we had to find a Thomson rep by ourselves to find the coaches, then find another to point us to the correct coach. Then a rep came on the coach and left the coach to go to her own hotel before anyone got dropped off on theirs. We were left with a Spanish driver who did not speak good English.
On arrival at the Hotel there was no Holiday Rep just reception to deal with. They required two passports to keep which we felt unsafe in handing over our passports. The Quality of the food at the Hotel (Breakfast and Tea) was terrible, the same food, breakfast is every day. We ended up eating out every night instead of having the same chips, pasta, salad, crisps, rice, curry in the Hotel every night. The quality of it was not even good.
The rooms seem a bit of poor quality for a 4* but are nice. The Hotel has got lovely views. Loads of bars/restaurants in the area are up for sale or closed down.
The Restaurant Manager speaks NO English which we felt was a huge let down as I was refused entry for tea one night as we were only going in for a quick bite to eat before we head for a walk down the prom all because I was wearing 3/4 trousers while there were women/girls all in skirts, 3/4's, mini-skirts in there which is quite stupid.
On our return home we again had no rep on the coach only a driver who spoke no English at all we only understood him because he done an action of a plane. This we felt let down again.
Be careful with cases, we got ripped off on the way back. My case weighed 17.5kg on the way out of there and on the way back it some how weighed 21.5kg yet I had only placed a small bottle of Sangria and a very light horse for a present in the case.
On arrival at the Hotel there was no Holiday Rep just reception to deal with. They required two passports to keep which we felt unsafe in handing over our passports. The Quality of the food at the Hotel (Breakfast and Tea) was terrible, the same food, breakfast is every day. We ended up eating out every night instead of having the same chips, pasta, salad, crisps, rice, curry in the Hotel every night. The quality of it was not even good.
The rooms seem a bit of poor quality for a 4* but are nice. The Hotel has got lovely views. Loads of bars/restaurants in the area are up for sale or closed down.
The Restaurant Manager speaks NO English which we felt was a huge let down as I was refused entry for tea one night as we were only going in for a quick bite to eat before we head for a walk down the prom all because I was wearing 3/4 trousers while there were women/girls all in skirts, 3/4's, mini-skirts in there which is quite stupid.
On our return home we again had no rep on the coach only a driver who spoke no English at all we only understood him because he done an action of a plane. This we felt let down again.
Be careful with cases, we got ripped off on the way back. My case weighed 17.5kg on the way out of there and on the way back it some how weighed 21.5kg yet I had only placed a small bottle of Sangria and a very light horse for a present in the case.
Advice: Everything is closing down
Activities: Blazing Saddles, Half-Way Inn, The Wigan Bar and Mijas
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Dave "
Submitted By: davidknight56@tiscali.co.uk
This is our second visit to this hotel, stayed this time for 3 weeks, had a great time. The staff were friendly, great views from most rooms, dining room, and all the sun terraces. The meals were very good with plenty of choice, but the restauant could get busy at times. Benalmadena has plenty of cafes, good clean beaches, and easy walking along the seaside promenade, also the marina is worth a visit which is close by. Plenty of local buses pass by the front of the hotel.
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Lovely Hotel Great Views "
Submitted By: cherish761
Just got back from a 1 weeks stay at the Riviera Hotel. We had a nice break, hotel lovely and clean and the staff helpful and friendly. We liked the hotel as every room has some degree of sea view and though its 8 floors high it is well seviced with the lifts. the third lift takes you to the pool , inside pool and sauna and then down to the promenade which is fantastic for anyone with walking difficulties. the food was good and varied with a great choice of meals, as this hotel caters for predominately british there are not many spanish dishes but that wasn't a problem for us as we found lots of reasonable places within walking dishes where we could get a nice 'spanish' lunch.
If I had to find a bad point it was the busy main road running at the front of the hotel and this being the coast road had traffic all night long. I guess the higher floors would probably be a little quieter. Overall we had a great time and I would certainly ( if visiting the Costa Del Sol ) use this hotel again.
If I had to find a bad point it was the busy main road running at the front of the hotel and this being the coast road had traffic all night long. I guess the higher floors would probably be a little quieter. Overall we had a great time and I would certainly ( if visiting the Costa Del Sol ) use this hotel again.
Advice: great for the sea front and has a beautiful marina, well worth visiting
Activities: located centrally for Costa Del Sol. Excellent public transport
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2009
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Riviera Hotel Disappointment "
Submitted By: snootylady
This hotel was the worst we have ever stayed in we had booked for 1 Month but left after 4 days The reception staff were rude and you were not made welcome on checking in. carpets in bedroom stained and skirting boards broken away from walls this is not a 4 star hotel a 2 if they got lucky The sun cushions for the the loungers were disgusting (filthy dirty ) to sum up a badly run old peoples home we moved hotels to the RUI NAUTILUS IT WAS WONDERFUL .
Advice: A beautiful marina
Activities: a visit to Mijas is a must
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Dec 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" This hotel was good, there didnt seem... "
Submitted By: Mrs J A Chapman
This hotel was good, there didnt seem to be a lot going on through the day tho, the evening entertainment ie the act coming on from 10 till 11pm what I saw was good but as it was only on for an hour and not a lot else we tended to go out, the best place for being entertained we found was Buzby's Fun Pub just over the road from the hotel as they have live entertainment each night from about 10pm until midnight or so which if you then wanted to stay they had kareoke until whenever oclock! If TV sports are your thing would recommend the Sand Bar with their HD TV and very good new hosts Carol and Tom.
To be truthful dont think the hotel is worth its 4 star status, more like 3+, if you go I suggest you ask for a high floor room as this hotel is on the side of a main road which is busy 24/7, we were on floor 6 of 8 so didnt have too much noise problem but people on the low floors were complaining of the noise and did hear people asking to move rooms because of it.
Nice area, we loved Fuengirola Zoo quite unbelieveable just on the high street, but inside the animals were kept in wonderful enclosures (not cages). Best trip was Gibralter, we did the Dolphin Discovery (fantastic saw loads of dolphins up very close) and the Rock Tour including see the Barbary Apes (hilarious), well worth the cost.
All in all we enjoyed our holiday very much, the area the hotel is in is good, beach good etc
To be truthful dont think the hotel is worth its 4 star status, more like 3+, if you go I suggest you ask for a high floor room as this hotel is on the side of a main road which is busy 24/7, we were on floor 6 of 8 so didnt have too much noise problem but people on the low floors were complaining of the noise and did hear people asking to move rooms because of it.
Nice area, we loved Fuengirola Zoo quite unbelieveable just on the high street, but inside the animals were kept in wonderful enclosures (not cages). Best trip was Gibralter, we did the Dolphin Discovery (fantastic saw loads of dolphins up very close) and the Rock Tour including see the Barbary Apes (hilarious), well worth the cost.
All in all we enjoyed our holiday very much, the area the hotel is in is good, beach good etc
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Portland Direct
" We stayed here for the first time.... "
Submitted By: Miss Ad Deacon
We stayed here for the first time. Hotel was superb, food was lovely and different varieties every day. very clean, maid service daily, pool very clean. Good entertainment. Staff were very friendly and polite. The only bad thing was other people staying there. As we were a younger couple 0f 22 and 21 we did get some strange looks. The majority of people were older, some snobbiness from certain people which was unneccesary. There were some lovely people dont get me wrong. Quite frustrating as people get up very early to get best sun beds and leave towels on. But apart from that we had a brill time.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" I have been to this hotel on two... "
Submitted By: Mrs P A Harris
I have been to this hotel on two other occasions and found eveything perfect. Helpful and polite staff, food excellent, also the entertainment very, very good, and the whole Hotel very clean. I shall be going back there for my third time very soon and looking forward to it very much. I recommended it to some friends and now nine of them will be coming too.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" We loved the hotel the food was... "
Submitted By: Mr JD Davids
We loved the hotel the food was fantastic and the room was brilliant. The only problem was that the beds were of poor quality. Everything else was very good.
Would go again!!
Would go again!!
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" we have just come back from our weeks... "
Submitted By: Miss J Moor
we have just come back from our weeks stay in the riviera hotel.I thought this was a nice hotel ,and in a excellant position for shops and all night bars such as the 24hr square and marina ,which in previous years we have had long walks to reach.The only faults we can give are the hotel entertainment was not good as focused on older people and bit cheesy.the other faults are the sunbeds, as we were told no one was allowed to reserve these,well each mornin all were takin but no one to be seen!!also the pool did not have a warning of deep water in the middle!so for non swimmers,not good!!also the food let us down a little as previous stays in 3 star hotels in this area had proved better with a different selection each day.The breakfast did not one day serve "chorros",which considering is spanish was quite a surprise . The fry up did not look appertising,the waiter staff i thought were very serious compared to other spanish hotels which was unusual ,and i really hated being told where to sit each day.I can not fault thomsons as every time we have used them they have been brilliant.The balcony we had was worst one ever with a view of mini golf and that was all we could see as on 2nd floor.We were not fortunate to get a better view as the hotel was full so we acceped this.the hotel security we thought was very good as doors closed in early hours and we were soon let in after being checked through cctv.The maid service was good and early.We still enjoyed our stay and would consider staying here again,as on the whole was a nice hotel in a good location and although next to a busy road,well come on ur on holiday who cares.
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" We have just had a wonderful 10 days... "
Submitted By: Mrs C Burrows
We have just had a wonderful 10 days at the Hotel Riviera.We found all the staff very friendly and helpful and the food at both breakfast and evening meal really good with plenty of choice.The hotel was very clean and our room was cleaned every day no matter what time we went out and returned.The evening entertainment was varied from buddy holly to rod stewart impersanators and the dancers were very good too. The marina was only a short walk away and there was a good choice of boat trips which we enjoyed. Also sealife is worth a visit with plenty of fascinating creatures.We met people who had been returning year after year who spoke very highly of the hotel. It was our first time to benalmadena but we will be booking to go back to the Riviera next year.
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" We have just returned from the... "
Submitted By: Dennis Winter
We have just returned from the Riviera Hotel after another superb holiday at this hotel.
This is the sixth occasion we have been to this hotel and still consider it to be of the highest quality.
The food is varied and excellent with "show" cooking every night.
The daytime entertainment is only average but the evening entertainment is superb with "stars in your eyes " type entertainment.....during the two weeks we were there we saw take offs of Buddy Holly,Lionel Ritchie ,Rod Stewart, Tom Jones plus other entertainers such as comedians and an illusionist show.Only once did we have the flamenco dancers.
Outside the hotel I would recommend Buddys bar in the Plaza about 200 yards from the hotel.
There are 2 slight drawbacks to the hotel...1) it is near a noisy busy road and 2) some of the bar waiters are a bit miserable and for some reason they don't provide a waiter service during "happy hour"
Nevertheless we will be booking again next year for the seventh consecutive year
This is the sixth occasion we have been to this hotel and still consider it to be of the highest quality.
The food is varied and excellent with "show" cooking every night.
The daytime entertainment is only average but the evening entertainment is superb with "stars in your eyes " type entertainment.....during the two weeks we were there we saw take offs of Buddy Holly,Lionel Ritchie ,Rod Stewart, Tom Jones plus other entertainers such as comedians and an illusionist show.Only once did we have the flamenco dancers.
Outside the hotel I would recommend Buddys bar in the Plaza about 200 yards from the hotel.
There are 2 slight drawbacks to the hotel...1) it is near a noisy busy road and 2) some of the bar waiters are a bit miserable and for some reason they don't provide a waiter service during "happy hour"
Nevertheless we will be booking again next year for the seventh consecutive year
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Portland Direct
" hAVE just been at the HOtel Riviera... "
Submitted By: Mr Dj Warden
hAVE just been at the HOtel Riviera in Benalmadena with my wife for a week and it was superb. Very relaxing with a great position the hotel gave us everything we needed. I have been coming to the costa del sol for a long time but have normally stayed in apartments. This time we fancied a change and opted for the 4star Hotel Riviera. Best decision we made! We had everything on our door step in the resort, but we didnt have to move if we didnt want to as the hotel food and facilities were superb.
Great holiday- would thoroughly reccommend it to anyone looking for a holiday on the Costa del Sol. We´ll be back!
Great holiday- would thoroughly reccommend it to anyone looking for a holiday on the Costa del Sol. We´ll be back!
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" we arrived on 19/5 /08 the room we... "
Submitted By: Mrs S White
we arrived on 19/5 /08 the room we were given was two balconies away from main road with horrendous road works and overlooking car park with bulldozer and drill breaking up road. We asked to change and were told hotel full take it or leave it on contacting thomson hot line (no rep at hotel came twice a day) we were told we couldnt change because we would be in three bedded room and hotel would lose out as this is adults only hotel and 98per cent were couples this amazed us we were told to ask each day and left to it. When rep arrived we were treated in a patronising manner and told we could change if we upgraded and paid 105 euros more. As we came for a quiet holiday after my illness we dont drink and dont use sunbeds we paid. Hotel said we had not asked for quiet room although thomson agreed it was on their system and had been since booking. The notice given on arrival said welcome meeting next day (in our case Tuesday) we then found reps day off and meeting Wednesday. In that meeting we found the reasons we came to Spain for Granada and seville trips had been on Tues and Wed and we had missed them. On telling rep we might as well get next flight home she found us a trip to Granada on the Friday with another company but seville was off and that also meant my birthday trip ro Ronda on the Friday was now off. They had an obsession with Gibralter though. Out of four trips planned we got one and took a trip on thursday to Nerja which was good but not planned. Why did we get three different answers. We also found from other guests they wanted to change from those rooms and some in the past had but not charged. The Hotel itself was nice good position and the room was cleaned by nice friendly staff dining room and food were excellent
The sight of British adults fighting over sunbeds and rushing out at 7.00am to put belongings on beds was unbelievable. From the Balcony I saw a bully actually tipping a man off a sunbed and throwing his clothes and his orange in the air. The management stated they would remove towels but they didnt. Many guests complained about this.The Park was very nice and the open top bus was good as it helped to know the area, the promenade to the Marina was very nice. No rep on coach from airport and no rep on arrival none on departure coach. Malaga airport a building site and drop off on reurn was a long way from check in rep just pointed way and we were left to it. This was our first trip to Spain especially to see Granada and Alhambra and this is now our last and our last with thomson.
The sight of British adults fighting over sunbeds and rushing out at 7.00am to put belongings on beds was unbelievable. From the Balcony I saw a bully actually tipping a man off a sunbed and throwing his clothes and his orange in the air. The management stated they would remove towels but they didnt. Many guests complained about this.The Park was very nice and the open top bus was good as it helped to know the area, the promenade to the Marina was very nice. No rep on coach from airport and no rep on arrival none on departure coach. Malaga airport a building site and drop off on reurn was a long way from check in rep just pointed way and we were left to it. This was our first trip to Spain especially to see Granada and Alhambra and this is now our last and our last with thomson.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" well where do i start. This hotel... "
Submitted By: Mrs Lh Froggett
well where do i start. This hotel boasts 4 stars, im not sure why this is. it is not better than any 3 star i have stayed in before. Dont get me wrong its clean and the rooms are large enough, the view is lovely from the pool balcony. The thing that lets this hotel down is the food and management. The food is the same day in and day out, by the 3rd night of our stay we started eating out, even the smell of dinner cooking made you want to gag!
As for the management, well to mention the words frosty and unhelpful is an understatement. On our 3rd day by the pool we were just lazing there soaking up the sun when we felt what we thought were a few spots of rain. To cut a long story short they were in fact spots of bleach from somewhere up the balconies, landed on our clothes and left bleached spots on them. Ruined. We showed the reception and they took them to show the manager later. That evening we spoke to our thomson rep,Linda, who more or less said it was a hotel matter and nothing to do with her, well we hadnt bought any tours off her, she was less than interested.
We waited 2 days and no one had been to us, so we went to reception again and was told to go back the next morning. So we did, to be told that it was a guest that had washed her husbands pants out with bleach and shook them over the balcony, oh and their maids dont use bleach, so we were to take it up with the guests involved and the hotel was having nothing to do with it. We were gob smacked, we argued that we were not going to 'have it out' with a couple of old age pensioners, who needed to wash underwear out with bleach, and upset their holiday. We argued that we were also guests of the hotel and surely they should cover the cost of our clothes as a gesture of goodwill. but the were having none of it, and the rep just, looked the other way.
So we came away feeling very defated, we were the innocent party but no one was interested. Needless to say the we are in the process of writing to the hotel chain and Thomson, not for the money but for someone just to hold their hands up and say sorry!!
As for the management, well to mention the words frosty and unhelpful is an understatement. On our 3rd day by the pool we were just lazing there soaking up the sun when we felt what we thought were a few spots of rain. To cut a long story short they were in fact spots of bleach from somewhere up the balconies, landed on our clothes and left bleached spots on them. Ruined. We showed the reception and they took them to show the manager later. That evening we spoke to our thomson rep,Linda, who more or less said it was a hotel matter and nothing to do with her, well we hadnt bought any tours off her, she was less than interested.
We waited 2 days and no one had been to us, so we went to reception again and was told to go back the next morning. So we did, to be told that it was a guest that had washed her husbands pants out with bleach and shook them over the balcony, oh and their maids dont use bleach, so we were to take it up with the guests involved and the hotel was having nothing to do with it. We were gob smacked, we argued that we were not going to 'have it out' with a couple of old age pensioners, who needed to wash underwear out with bleach, and upset their holiday. We argued that we were also guests of the hotel and surely they should cover the cost of our clothes as a gesture of goodwill. but the were having none of it, and the rep just, looked the other way.
So we came away feeling very defated, we were the innocent party but no one was interested. Needless to say the we are in the process of writing to the hotel chain and Thomson, not for the money but for someone just to hold their hands up and say sorry!!
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomson
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