Hotel Riu Chiclana - All Inclusive

Weather was good, staff was very friendly

Kids area wasn’t kept properly, facilities like refreshment machines were broken, soft play area had moths, toys were broken, floor was extremely dirty and uneven, causing my toddler to fall several times. Activities are for +4 years old, access to the soft play area is for +2s, so younger active kids have nowhere to play other than a tiny square on a corner. Wifi didn’t work for 2 days and we had to pay extra for more roaming. Must be an ongoing centrilised issue as reception did nothing to try to solve it. We asked for a different password as other people were able to log in to their net and they tried to charge us for it on check out.Reception gave us wrong information about towel usage and didn’t warn us about towel kiosk on check in, so we took our time and by the time we could get to the pools the kiosk was closed and so were the pools (6pm with +28°).The facilities were overall quite old and badly mantained. The room had no shampoo and we were given hand soap and conditioner instead.The food offered was very repetitive, the restaurants were fully booked for the whole week when we called on a Monday. Whatever was left for one day was served as an omelette or on pizzas on the next day. Quality was good but eating the exact same for 5 days gets boring. My kid didn’t want anything to do with chips by the end of our stay.We contacted customer service twice to report all this as we don’t think what we paid was fair for what we got and they basically tried to gaslight me into thinking that my expectations were off.

It is a huge resort, close to the sea, but on much higher terrain than sea level. Be aware that if you want to access the beach, you will have to traverse about 50 meters in height on stairs. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the beachfront, and it is well outside the resort, in a public area. The views were fantastic though.Rooms were clean and relatively well equipped, we had everything we needed or expected in the room. Beds were comfortable. The bathroom was exceptionally good.Being all inclusive, there were at least some food and drink options all the time, though at certain times it was very limited.Pools were as advertised and spread on the property, but with some downsides (see below). There were loads of sunbeds in the area, we never had to worry at all about finding one near the pools.The shop onsite is surprisingly well equipped and has everything you might ever need in such a place.Parking was close by and plenty.

The room was rather noisy with little protection from outside noise. People kept being very loud even late at night, kids were screaming randomly and so on. You will not really get a good nights sleep here. There are numerous separate houses each with a number (maybe 10-30?) of rooms, and if people in the same house are loud, you are out of luck, there is practically no noise insulation of any kind.The area of the hotel is also huge, and it was very confusing to find our house at first, dragging our luggage along ourselves.There were several restaurants with different open/close times. It was not straightforward at all which opens or closes when, and where we should try to eat at any given time. In the end it also didn't matter too much, because selection in most of them was just the same. I wouldn't call it limited, there were plenty of options, but in similar hotels and resorts I have seen much better. Also restaurants were often overcrowded with lots of impolite / unbehaved kids running around seemingly unsupervised.There were several large pools in the area, but they were just the same, without any variability, and any "fun" elements. Just the same 1.2m deep large blobs of water. No actual swimming pool, no slides, no fountains.The game room was a little worn down.On the beach, no designated sunbeds were assigned to hotel guests (it is just a public beach, not part of the hotel in any way). The beach was only reachable by climbing a significant amount of stairs.Most of the staff at the resort did not speak any English.We tried to get late checkout (2-3 hours, paid of course), but it was not available. I just can't imagine there was not a single room in the whole resort that we could have used for 3 additional hours for some additional fee - it's more like they didn't want to bother, which is ok, but would have been nice to at least try.

Great entertainment, good pools, food was good

The room smelt mouldy. It was also on the far corner of the hotel and far from pool and restaurants.

Not busy many pools lots of food

Children’s family room farthest from everything which is hardest for kids long walks

Close to the beach. Lot of choices on buffet.

We arrived when the blackout happened in Spain. The staff at the reception was overwhelmed. We sat in the lobby for hours since they couldn't program the keys for the doors. I noticed after a few hours that newly arrived customers were escorted to the room. No one came over and helped us. I asked again at the reception about the key card, and someone finally walked with us to the room. Loud yelling guests were not interrupted in quiet time (midnight - 3 am). Can't imagine this place in high season.

Hotel was really nice and the food was nice. The staff were lovely. Would definitely recommend.

Only issue was the gym was too small and a few of the exercise machines were broken .

Great stay, so many pools to choose from. It’s my 3rd stay here snd every time has been top class.

Amazing location, spacious rooms, entertainment for all ages, different pools outside: kids pool with slides, heated pools,.. We also rented bikes for one of the days - the bike roads are great, they go along the ocean, golf course, and are safe to ride with kids.

Food could be better quality, the spa is small and located outside the hotel - in our 3 days stay we didn't manage to go because it was all booked up. The weather was not ideal so everyone wanted to go to spa rather than the outside pools.

Lots of pools and drink bars.

It was a huge property. The pools closed at 6 or 7 to get shocked so no night swimming and b/c checkin was at 3, the first day is a wash.

That I was soo looking forward to give a surprise romantic overnight stay with Riu.They had come to sancti petri to visit with my 3 grandchildren and thought I would give them a night to themselves

I took my son and his wife to the Riu to check them in for a surprise romantic overnight as the booking was in my name. I genuinely got mixed up and stupidly thought I had booked the 14th April. When arriving at the desk it was made very clear I should have checked them in on the 13th April. I was totally embarrassed and crying at the reception desk and I begged them to allow the stay on the 14th April as they had available rooms but the said only if I paid again and that I should try to get my money back from Booking.com. I paid another €181 to give them the romantic night I promised. I am genuinely really upset as Riu had available rooms and I clearly made a mistake which I apologised for.Neither Booking.com or Riu have replayed to my emails

Room was spacious, big bed and shower. Proximity to beach, lots of pools and sunbeds.

The gym was not adequately equipped as only one clip for the cable machines and children were playing with machines (some unaccompanied by an adult) whilst I was trying to get in a workout. I think kids should be at least 12/13 years over to be allowed in regardless if accompanied by an adult as some kids were using it as a play area which is dangerous in a gym!Another issue was wgen I booked it stated children 13 and over were considered adults and therefore could use the spa yet when I went to the spa with my 13 year old I was told she could not use it as it was 18 and over which was very disappointing!

Short trip, one night, food was bountiful, and the room was nice and the size and facilities were spot on

The breach

To nosy To bigNo beatchbedNo respecting rules in the fitness

The staff make this hotel, without exception they were all fabulous. The hotel was clean and the bed was one of the best I've slept in at a hotel. Everyone was polite, helpful and friendly! You wouldn't go hungry or thirsty but the cocktails were pre made, not great ?, not premium spirits but good nonetheless. The snack bar was the same every day, maybe pizza would be good ?

It would have been nice to have a pool where children weren't allowed, there was one but it was the swim up pool bar and as you can imagine it was full of adults drinking alcohol, I need say no more! Somewhere to swim in peace would have been nice. Also an adults only area where we could have a quiet drink and chat.

All-inclusive meals, drinks and snacks were very varied and well-presented. Lots of choice of different restaurants. Room was large and clean. Quiet. Good swimming pools and sun loungers. Enjoyed the daily exercise sessions in the pool with music and instruction !Easy access to lovely clean beach and beach walks in either direction.Enjoyable evening entertainment programme. Extensive and very varied

There are a lot of hotels in this area of Novo Sancti Petri. It might be a good idea to club together to have regular hotel transport to take guests into Cadiz for a day during their stay. We took the bus to Chiclana centre from outside the hotel then the tram from Chiclana centre to Cadiz. This was cheap and easy to organise but it took a long time to do a comparatively short distance and it gave us less time to spend in Cadiz as we wanted to be back for dinner in the hotel.

Location is amazing, staff were very friendly and helpful, very clean facilities and restaurants served good quality buffet meals.

Very noisy due to the fact that it is a very large hotel, very family orientated with an entertaining team. Ideal for families with young children but not for a couple looking for a relaxing quieter break.

The hotel was really nice and big! There was plenty of things to do for all ages. Very kid friendly with tshirt painting, soft play, great pools for kids and evening entertainment! Food was ok but overall a very pleasant experience and we will be returning!

The location is amazing, the food is pretty good, the staff is really kind. We always have everything we need immediately.

Just a suggestion- the management may think in the possibility of having only one pool for smokers and the rest smoking free.

Location is fantastic for the beach and the general hotels area. Variety of pools and rooms were nice. The Staff were lovely everywhere. From concierge , reception, cleaners, gardeners, serving staff, activity leaders - everyone was very friendly, chatty and gave the hotel it's true personable value.

The clientele sadly brings Riu down.The 'make the most 'it's all inclusive mentality'.. it was sad to watch the obesity. The rush for food, the shoving each other for food at the food counters, the going from meal to snacks, to next meal, the back to back drinking, the swim up bar full of people who never left this pool ..The quantity over quality sadly RIU was obvious. The same menu over and over. The same 're-hashed' rice dishes or cooked meats and fish put into other platters. I do understand re utilising but many things on offer were dried out and tasteless.The sun beds were old and uncomfortable, many were brokenThe gym facility only opened from 0800 which was a real shame as the high temperatures in August, meant you wanted to train early and late. Pool timings also made little sense with the long days and extreme heat in S Spain.Using the same pool over and over for activity entertainment, Riu, it would be good to rotate. Not everyone enjoys loud microphones and shouting next to them. Great team, lovely volleyball and Zumba, aqua, games but rotate the pools- give clients at the far end pool, a break too..

Everything was great, food and staff and service and facilities.