Rio Playa Blanca

We travelled with our 3 children and friends who also have 4 children. (Ages range from 4-9yrs) This was our 5th holiday village so we had a good idea of what to expect. The entertainment team were absolutely fantastic from start to finish, our children all used the kids clubs available and thoroughly enjoyed. My daughter attended the swim academy, again this was brilliant and the girls were lovely, she also attended stage academy which was great. My sons attended the football academy, Rhys was fantastic with the children. We stayed in a suite, rooms were a good size and was great having two bathrooms. Beds were made daily but sheets were not changed as often as I would have liked. My son dropped a glass in his bedroom, we cleared this up as best as we could and informed the maid, unfortunately we were still finding shards of glass on the floor days later. The swimming pools were not great and also didn’t appear as clean as other hotels we have previously stayed in, as others have stated they are deep, our youngest wore arm bands and others were confident swimmers so wasn’t too much of an issue. Our friend would get up early 7.30am to go and use the gym and reported seeing dirty plates/glasses and left over food around the pool side from the previous evening. The food was ok, always something, we tended to go and have breakfast in the themed resteraunt as this appeared cleaner and less busy. Tables in the main resteraunt were not cleaned, plates cleared away from one guest and reset for someone else to use. During our stay our friends 7 year old daughter became unwell, sickness and diarrhoea, her dad went straight to the pharmacy and spent a small fortune on meds, this was reported to the reps who also recommended a particular energy drink to get her. This meant that they were confined to the room for 48hours whilst she recovered. On departure day we were advised it wouldn’t be possible to keep any room on, we had a late night flight home, we were allocated half an hour slot in a room to shower, not great for a family of 5 but better than nothing so we accepted. After collection of the key card we made our way to the allocated room and entered to find another holiday maker coming out of the shower.... the poor woman was horrified. Whilst we were leaving another family turned up and let themselves into the room so I have no idea how many cards were being given for this courtesy room. The nightmare started on our flight home, eldest son became really unwell, violently sick all over the plane, severe abdominal cramps and diarrhoea, TUI cabin crew really let themselves down, I ran to the back on the plane to ask for sick bags and tissue, think I interrupted some juicy gossip as all three staff rolled their eyes and did not even follow to see if my son was ok, no offer of water, nothing..... This continued at home for 48hours but my son recovered. The same day we landed my daughter (age 4) became unwell with exact same symptoms but much worse, we pushed fluids and gave Calpol, this got much worse, the diarrhoea became bright red blood which continued all day/night, she was taken to the GP who sent us straight into hospital, she was given fluids and diagnosed severe gastroenteritis, stool sample taken (awaiting results) I have never seen my child in so much pain, it was awful. Although this happened upon our return we had another holiday booked to HV Montenegro on 04/08/19, the doctor at the hospital was aware of this and advised our daughter would be ok to fly but to keep an eye on her etc, our poor little girl is only just recovering from loose stools, abdominal cramps and just about getting some appetite back 2 weeks after becoming unwell. We would not return to HV Lanzarote, I have emailed TUI to advise and awaiting a response, I would hate for any more children to suffer. As previously stated the entertainment and Reps at resort were 5 star, the hotel in general really lets it down with poor hygiene.

A review from us! Been to 3 other hv’s menorca Tenerife Cyprus! So we knew the deal with hv! Arrived late Sunday evening check in quick n painless though they were very busy! There was a cold Buffett n soft drinks in the hv diner a very nice appreciated touch we’ve had late flights before n never had this treatment! Rooms we went for a standard because of the bed option, trundle bed better for our family rather than double sofa bed! Lovely clean modern room n shower not a massive amount of space but as our children are 7&9 we literally just slept n showered in them! The terrace is the downside tiny! Not bothered no wall but the size! N only 2 chairs!!! As a normal family of 4 the rooms are made for we couldn’t sit out!!! Pool areas all fab pool is deep but we just all got in and enjoyed them massively yep they cold getting in but soon warm up! N the wind is a tad cold when you get out wet!! The sun is very hot take plenty of cream! We didn’t really bother with splash area it does already looked very tired! Olympic pool fab but we enjoyed main pool far more! Restaurant we used main buffet for breakfast and evening always got table never had to wait food was hot n replenished quick and was all that we tried very tasty me n my daughter are vegetarian and didn’t struggle to find something we enjoyed! Son n hubby enjoyed the meat! We ate a snack bar at lunch again no issues usual snack food burger, hot dog, chips, make your own toastie area, we loved hv dinner hubby n son loved the sirloin steak! Location is pretty good 10 mins with kids to flamingo beach couple of supermarkets restaurant we Spent couple of mornings down there! I strolled there in 5 mins alone for quick shop! Beautiful beach! Hotel staff can’t fault any of them always pleasant polite helpful reception were all very efficient, our rooms where kept clean and the groundmen work tirelessly as do lifeguard picking up everyone’s discarded cups put your own in bin then they won’t blow around leaving a mess!!! First choice staff wow so fab entertainment was amazing my son loved Alex as olly murs! He stayed to the end every night! His highlight was getting on stage for russels bit! He also loved all the kids club staff and the guys at the high ropes who supported him and his sister round! He wanted to do higher set so had to go alone he struggled getting the guide rope round Cory came to rescue him! He loved his namesake lol n was on about it for ages! Special thank you to Toni who went out of her way to get russel certificates on our last day n giving my girl a cuddle as she was upset to be leaving! Just thank you for making our holiday fab! We loved splash bingo and pool party! The entertainment team are just fab n have so much energy! The night of power cut they was so professional n just let the show go on n continued to entertain the kids! Weather! Yes it’s hot yes it’s windy! It’s bit cold getting in pool and the wind is cold when your wet! Yes you will burn yes you need loads of sun cream!!! No I didn’t need a cardigan or jacket but we didn’t walk around much at night! Will we go back? Yes probably would only go back to 2 out of 4 we’ve visited and this is one of them!