Not having been to Fuerteventura for over 10 years (Riu PalaceTres Islas - we have stayed there 3 times) and loving the dunes at Corralejo, we decided to book a holiday with 2 grand daughters departing as soon as they break up from school - 12 July. We don't normally take packages, but prices, through Thomsons, seemed reasonable for AI (which we also do not normally take) which we felt would suit the young ones.
We remember the Oliva Beach as being less plush than the Tres Islas, but thought it would be more suitable for a 12 year old and a 9 year old.
I did read the reviews (last two less than brilliant) on the reviews page but, as they were so old, didn't worry too much. Mixed reviews were also appearing on TA, and these have steadily worsened since we booked.
Never mind, we are going and if it is only an accommodation problem we will sort out when we get there!
Has anyone had any recent experience of this Riu hotel? As an AI hotel, we would expect bathroom amenities and water to be provided in rooms - some recent posts on the web suggest otherwise, please help if you have any knowledge. Is the buffet food really that bad? Does the air-con really not get switched on until AUGUST??
We can manage with paying for beach beds and parasols, thus avoiding crowded pools. We can usually find something to eat, provided there is something for the kids. What we don't fancy is boiling in our rooms, paying through the nose for water in the rooms - we can, obviously, manage toiletries - but would still appreciate any up to date info.
We fully intend to make the most of our couple of weeks with the grand daughters, so any help and advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Peter
Its about 5 years since we were there the hotel consists of the high rise main hotel and the low rise annexe we stayed in the main hotel which had better ratings plus you only got beach towels there you could use facilities at either. The main hotel is direct on the beach, the clientel were predominantly German the rooms overlooking the main hotel pool lookong South get more sun.
With the exception of further rooms added to the annexe at the Oliva Beach, and changes to the garden / sunbathing area, little would appear to have changed. Have now checked when we were last in Fuerteventura (at the Tres Islas) and it was 14 years ago!
Do you (or anyone else, please) happen to know what mobile phone reception is like? The hotel's wi-fi seems to be slow, available only near reception and expensive. 3G would be great so that we can, at least, get e-mail regularly or tether our i-phones to other devices. Perhaps Glynis has some up to date info?
Cheers
Peter
I think you are going off on holiday as Glynis is returning from hers
We had a week at the apart hotel , which was great and then booked 2 weeks at the Oliva Beach hotel , never did make it to the Tres Islas !! Don't know what phone reception would be like when we went we thought we were up to date taking our Sony cassette Walkmans !!! Jeez , don't you get old quick
Jeez , don't you get old quick
Duh - don't know! Can't remember being any younger.............
Oooh - when I look at photographs, there are definitely less wrinkles
May post a review, but still await my review of a hotel in Chiang Mai (dated 2nd July) to appear. It is not worth doing them if they are not posted in a timely fashion. Perhaps Facebook or Twitter is the only way to get noticed now.
Cheers
Peter
Was it windy? I'm taking hubby to Fuert next year in the hope that it's windy as he's not too keen on the heat. However my friend was in Corralejo in June and said there wasn't really a wind.....oooops I could be in deep doo doo
This was our 5th time to Fuerteventura, we normally stay at the Riu Tres Islas next door, but the last time was 14 years ago! We have traveled in September or October, previously, and we have always had a breeze, once or twice a little too strong!
Yes, it was breezy on this trip, but never unpleasant, on 13 of the 14 days. On our last day there was a just a gentle breeze, just sufficient to take the edge off the temperature (but only just!).
It would be fair to say that we never suffered from wind!
Gosh, how the island has changed. We first went there in 1987 and Corralejo was only one donkey above being a one horse town. We were surprised at the development there and also of the number of new builds that appear to be "on hold". There has been quite an environmental fuss, I believe, as the southern and eastern development in the town has disturbed the wind pattern significantly enough to have prevented the dunes in the National Park from being rebuilt seasonally by the wind. Indeed we noticed lower dunes and more scrub vegetation.
We really love the beaches.
I am sure that hubby will enjoy a visit. Try the dunes beaches in the National Park. It is only a short bus trip from Corralejo town or just over 6 Euros by Taxi. You can access the beach from the roads leading to Tres Islas or Oliva Beach (It is closer than trekking from the main road). If you wish to travel light, you can save on bathing costumes a couple of hundred yards from the hotels - and it saves trying to dry them out in that sand
Sun beds and shades are available for 3Euro per item per day - a good investment as it keeps the sand out of the unpleasant places and provides shade (or if the shades are angled, protection from the wind).
We flew from Gatwick on Norwegian air shuttle - I can thoroughly recommend.
Please bear in mind, if traveling just as a couple that should you choose to stay at the Tres Islas there is not much to do in the evening, or if you want to go AI at Oliva Beach there can be a lot of children / families with entertainment aimed at them. It is always nice to eat out and this means Taxis to / from town.
Enjoy!
Peter & Janet
We've got our accommodation booked its a private apartment on the Oasis Royal complex. I stayed there earlier this year for a week and it's a canny place, very quiet as no bar, reception etc. It's just off the High Street so handy for the Spar supermarket etc.
I didn't get to the sand dunes it am sure I will do next year with hubby.
We are thinking of hiring a car as I like to get out and about to see what else the island has to offer. Plus it'll save on transfer fees to and from the airport
If you are hiring a car I would recomend you get a copy of Noel Rochfords Sunflower guide to Fuerteventura its got loads of information and maps for walking or car touring routes. Its one of the first things I pack when I go.
In view of the assistance given by HT Admin, I have actually completed a review of this hotel very quickly.
This can be found (when approved) at http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/spain/canary-islands/fuerteventura/corralejo/club-riu-oliva-beach-resort-hotel/
I hope that this assists others, as we were getting a lot of conflicting information.
Thanks and regards
Peter
Your review was approved about 10 minutes after you submitted it and is showing now.
Thanks for the review
Cheers, Phil
nickmacuk wrote:Glynis
If you are hiring a car I would recomend you get a copy of Noel Rochfords Sunflower guide to Fuerteventura its got loads of information and maps for walking or car touring routes. Its one of the first things I pack when I go. :sun2
Thanks Nick I'll take a look. Do you have any car hire company recommendations? Would prefer take it back with same petrol amount.
Phil,
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