Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras

Just returned from a lovely week in the Riu Palace but not a five star hotel, we would rate it four star. Our room which we upgraded to a sea view was lovely and well equipped, cleaned and bed turned down every night which was great with towels changed on request. There are plenty of pools to choose from and we never had any problems getting a sun bed at any time of the day. Hotel buffet restaurant always had lots of different themed areas and menu was changed on a daily basis, but two big negatives which in our opinion makes it a four star was firstly the warmth of the food which on some occasions was verging on being cold and way below the temperatures food should be served, during our visit this was a topic discussed many times with other guests during our stay. The second negative and I see it was highlighted before was the amount of broken crockery used during our stay and after being pointed out was never put aside, not five star on both negatives. I should point out that all the staff were excellent and work extremely hard, especially during busy times, and no one ever passes you without saying hello, a lovely touch, and there are a couple of other Restaurants in the hotel you can visit when on a HB basis. The hotel is well situated and access to the promenade is very easy and the bus station which we used to visit Porto Rico and Porto Mogan is only ten minutes away, buses are very frequent and relatively cheap and both places which are lovely are a must visit when in the area. Another must do is attend the Riu party night on a Friday evening in the adjoining Riu hotel, we had a great night, and it was attended by all ages. All in all this is a lovely four star hotel with plenty of hard working staff but needs a couple of changes to make it Five star.

The staff is friendly, and the hotel is clean. Initially, they mistakenly placed us in a double room, but they quickly and efficiently corrected it, moving us to the king-sized room we had booked. Unfortunately, we could only reserve a half-board option, and the buffet had very limited vegetarian choices—almost nothing for vegetarians. The air conditioning in the gym is not functioning. Additionally, I had a poor customer experience at this hotel. Before booking, I reached out multiple times to customer service to inquire about using the piano in one of the bars. As a professional pianist, it’s important for me to practice during my holidays. However, I never received a response. Despite this, we decided to stay at the hotel, hoping they would allow me to use the piano during quiet hours, even for just one hour. Unfortunately, the receptionist refused. It seems the hotel is too large, with too many guests, and they don’t prioritize customer service or offer a personal touch.

This is a well run hotel, with excellent staff and a wonderful setting. The food both at breakfast and dinner was probably the best we have experienced at a Spanish 5* hotel. The staff in the dining room (special shout out for Julie, Cristian Feickel) made our stay extra special and all the other staff that we interacted with were professional, friendly and responsive to any of our requests. The hotel is kept super clean and the grounds and pool areas are stunning. Location at the seaside Ramblas makes this an ideal location

Great location, comfortable accommodation, range of tasty food, clean, brilliant staff, excellent facilities. What is there not to like.

A few years this was an amazing wow factor hotel with fabulous food which made to feel you were in a 5 star hotel. Unfortunately, the accountants have taken over, the treats have been removed and the food quality is now just average. This hotel had a 5 star plus rating but it is very quickly distorting its reputation and it now no more than a 4 start average hotel. It’s such a shame!!

We are very regular guests in this hotel. Before 5 stars, now 3. Why? Some things might look unimportant, and first world problems. Of course they are, but this is five stars, and not cheapest of the island. 1. Restaurant and housekeeping staff: 6 out of 5 They deserve a 6. These people are so friendly here, we rarely find this. They make this hotel. It feels like coming home. Manolo, German, Valentin, Cristian, Joanna and so many others: they are wonderful and make this hotel great. The food is very good, but not the same quality as it used to be (never seen lobsters anymore for example, before yes). 2. Rooms: 3 out of 5 The rooms in the garden were very good. They still are, but maintenance is really needed now. In our room (more or less same issues last year in another room): one sink stopper is not properly working, terrace tiles and joints are worn, toilet button not working as it should, towel rack on terrace loose, terrace furniture is worn, moisture on ceiling in the toilet with paint parts dropping, shower door not closing properly, … and so on. Maintenance is badly needed. Before there was always some fruit in the room when arriving. That gesture disappeared as well. 3. Reception and organisation: 1 out of 5 This could be so much better. Reception staff is polite, but distant. They probably call it efficiency. We have had the same “house” for many years. We requested now 2 rooms in that house, because we love the location and love in the meantime the cleaning lady (Veronica). We got “promoted” to Riu Gold, so no problem, it means that you can choose your room. We requested two rooms twice by e mail. They politely replied that they would do their best, subject to availability. Asking for more information because Riu Gold permits the choice, they sent a reply meaning more or less that there can always be a problem with the room. Of course, there can be a technical problems and one year we had cockroaches in the room (not the hotel’s fault), and you will not give such a room. After asking when checking in, the guy said we got another house as all previous years. We complained, and could change 3 days later. No thanks, we come for a quiet holiday. This Riu Gold is by the way a complete joke for us. We always got the same building, now you get promoted and it is not possible anymore because other people are staying in it (there was absolutely no problem in those rooms). We got a RIU Gold towel, left it in the room, it is useless for us, it was the only advantage of our “gold” status, a joke. Communication by reception staff is not proactive at all. When checking in, I had to request myself which room we got. They send you for a glass of cava, as if that is the most important, but they do not proactively communicate with you if they cannot fulfil your request. We have stayed in many hotels where this kind of organisation was so much better. In all 3 out of 5, thanks to wonderful staff in restaurant and housekeeping. and w elove the location a