On way to hotel droped off some familys at the two other RIU hotels on island, both looked amazing an we hoped the Vistamar would look just as good! Following a long upwards drive through Amadores we arrived at the Vistamar our first impressions were blinkered as we arrived early hours of morning, however reception was quiet so we got checked in very swiftly. On checking in they tell you all about meal and bus times an explain about pool towels - the usual. Fortunatly all information is printed on pieces of paper a saving grace as I barley understood what the young german man had said to me, he spoke very quickly and sounded like the gay german reporter ali-g plays in his show. Thankfully all other dealings with reception were problem free. The reception itself was a bit bland by no means will you be blown away by first impressions it just felt an looked a bit boring and bland. However it served its purpose, my only complaint with it was the fact that it was a smoking zone so the first thing you are hit with is the stench of smoke which remains throughout the day!

We were allocated a room on the first floor and as with a previous review were disgusted to find that the only view we had was of other guests fag ends, broken plates, presumably soiled towels and all other odd ends of rubbish the idiots on floors above us had decided to launch from their balconys. The room was a bit tatty/dinjy and just didnt have a pleasant feel to it, a quick quiet word with the duty manager and we were moved straight to the 3rd floor with a view of amadores beech, room felt much fresher and brighter. Room itself was adequate plenty room for storage good sized balcony, bathroom of quality but just lacked that luxury touch that could give it a 5star accreditation. Room was cleaned well daily as was outside coridor and balcony area - maids very helpfull and friendly. On one occasion had the misfortune of discovering some vomit a worse for wear guest and deposited and presumably forgoten about however on informing maid it was cleaned up immediatley sparing any further disgrace. Only other detail I had issue with regarding cleanliness was the highchairs we used for our bay. On occasion we found them to be caked in food matter and took it upon ourselfs to purchase bacterial wipes and clean the chair prior to and post use. The chairs themselves were relatively usless in most cases they were broken entirley or the strapes didnt work meaning you are constantly trying to prevent your baby standing up or falling out whilst trying to eat, got a bit annoying in by week two!

The food was fantastic on arrival a buffet was laid on for late arriving guests from what I could see we were the only ones - the buffet table was the size of a bus and was packed with everything and anything - we felt so guilty we had barley managed to dent the supply it must have taken ages to prepare and you could tell it was the first time it had seen the table! First impressions were that the food would be excellent - and it was. Throughout the 2 weeks we were spoilt for choice, you could have eaten the same thing every day or something completely different every day - it was incredible. Most hot food eg steak, chicked, fish was cooked there and then at cooking stations. There was also a carvery every night all meat was cooked to perfection and was of exceptional quality - im jealous thinking about it! The dining room isnt particularly fancy but once you start eating your thoughts are purley on what to eat next. You are given and keep the same table for evening meals. Breakfast and lunch is a free for all but alwasys ample room and endless supply of food - never ran out of anything, think they have a hidden underground farm! If you fancy a special meal then book with the head waiter and eat up in the pool bar restaraunt, its lovely we only went the once as we had a 1yr old with us who kinda killed the romantic ambience up there, at one point throwing a boiled potato at a young man - form then his attention was on my daughter wondering what was going to be thrown next and not on his bewildered but beautifull young fiance! Cant bum up the food anymore you will love it if you dont you cannot be human.

Staff were friendly and professional 100% of time most local however a good number german - especially reception area.

Entertainment ran form dawn to dusk - literally! I dont know how they did it they were incredible - proves the food is high energy! There is a board at reception which details days activitys and times - dont worry if you forgett as they come round the entire pool area advertsing which activity is next. Good range from shooting to bingo something for everyone, be warnded if you win the activity you have to go on stage to collect a certificate (quiet a specticale) we went out the night I won the shooting! At night time there is a show, most nights its done by the same staff who have been working all day but you would never know they all looked fresh as a daisy - and were always wearing a smile. Shows were what you would expect - some people review poorly for entertaiment but I think they forget its not meant to be a west end show! You can tell the staff put a lot of time and effort into there performances and are geniunely gratefull and pleased by any positive respone to the acts. Most performances are tongue in cheek with a humerous edge to them this is what made them so enjoyable - I think if they didnt add humour it would have been painfull to watch. Toby is a NBDQ (natural born drag queen) he should be on a stage somewhere he was amazing. Cant fault entertainment - i was sober most nights and still enjoyed it all those that says its poor need to have a go themselves.

On the whole I would give the holiday 7/10 I wouldnt go back purley because im not taken by Gran Canaria itself found it a right mix of a place outside resort areas dirty, likes of europa and kasbah centres not to my taste lots of people trying to get you in dirty bars. To dine there would be like eating in a run down smelly outdoor shopping centre. Some quality little restaraunts such as oscars at the beech front in peurto rico but found nice ones such as this one few and far betweem. I felt the all inclusive board a bit mundane - for me it was like being a resident in a nursing home with your day pre-determined and very repetative. Would consider a Riu resort elsewhere but certainly not in the canaries/spain. Hope you found this review helpfull im sure you will have a smashing time if you have already or away to book up. P.S sorry about spelling/gramour - maths is my thing!

Effecient service-despite number of guests, I was usually served at bar immediately and tables were cleared promptly.

Good range of activities during day for all ages including, at peak periods, organized activities for teenagers. Mimed acts 3 nights a week a bit boring but pool bar open if not interested in entertainment. Majority of tables in lounge bar are non smoking.

Dining room can be crowded and unless you are a party of 5 or more, expect to be seated very close to adjacent table. Spoilt for choice with variety of food, plenty of salads and fresh fruit for the health conscious and occaisionally fruit smoothies at breakfast.

Rooms nicely furnished, beds comfortable but pillows are not.Good powerful shower.

Spectacular views, great hotel for chilling round the pool with a cocktail. Hundreds of sunbeds with free towels and mattresses.

Good balance of different European nationality guests.

Arrived at the hotel first impressions from the outside of main reception area was is this the right hotel?? Looked like a grubby seaside resort hotel.

Hotel room nice and clean

Pool areas nice

Food is ok but very much the same every lunch and dinner times. The self service drinks dispensers work very rarely and when they did work the drinks were flat.

The hotel staff are quite friendly but the reception staff are not so good.

The hotel is 4 star I would say 2 or 3 star at the very best.

If you are looking for a really good all inclusive hotel with good food and drinks!! Book another hotel.

We travelled to the hotel in July 2005 and I do have to say that it was very good!

The hotel itself was very clean and there were no sign of cockroaches.

The lifts in the hotel are hopeless and they are very hard to catch.

The food that was provided was very good there was something for everyone from pizzas to pastas to currys etc everyone will eat something. There is also a bbq which you can attend when you want as long as you ask the head waiter first.

The hotels location is a bit out of the way, when we looked at the hotel it said that it was on a bank, but it was a hill and it was a steep hill.But there is a free bus which takes you to the beach and back.

The hotel staff are very friendly and most of them speak english. All of the reception staff are great they are very help full. The entertainment team are also great the kids always have something to do and they all speak a variety of languages.

The entertainment is great every day there is somethings that kids, teenages and adluts can do!!
The night time entertainment is also good!!

I would return to the hotel because everything was brilliant and i found very little to complain about!!

We travelled to the hotel in July 2005 and I do have to say that it was very good!

The hotel it self was very clean and there were no sign of cockroaches.

The lifts in the hotel are hopeless and they are very hard to catch.

The food that was provided was very good there was something for everyone from pizzas to pastas to currys etc everyone will eat something. There is also a bbq which you can attend when you want as long as you ask the head waiter first.

The hotels location is a bit out of the way, when we looked at the hotel it said that it was on a bank, But it was a hill and it was a steep hill.But there is a free bus which takes you to the beach and back.

The hotel staff are very friendly and most of them speak english. All of the reception staff are great they are very help full. The entertainment team are also great the kids always have something to do and they all speak a variety of languages.

The entertainment is great every day there is somethings that kids, teenages and adluts can do!!
The night time entertainment is also good!!

I would return to the hotel because everything was brilliant and i found very little to complain about!!

This hotel is situated amazingly! Every room looks over the sea and if sit yourself on your balcony your only view is of the sea (some may overlook the small beach below too)
the food was great, fresh and always being renewed..no upset tummies!

As this is a very european focused hotel there are alot of German, French and Italian foods along side english ones.
The hotel its self is on quite a hill and it costs around 5 euros to get to the main puerto rico hub and about 2.5 euros to the beach but taxis are very regular from outside the hotel.

The hotel staff were amazing, very focused on customer service and always smiling! childeren were very entertained and didnt intrude our bathing space beside the pool!

The entertainment changed evey night, a very very well rehearsed musical or comic act, and as again this hotel caters for all europeans so many languages are used.the hotel entertainment finished around 11 or 12 so no loud music all night!

The flow of alcohol made us want to carry on through the night but from then on even outside the hotel was very quiet,maybe its best to head into puerto rico at this point?

I'd definately go back again and we've already been looking at prices to go back next week! no availablilty though :(

This hotel was spotless the staff were very friendly and helpful at anytime of the day or night. The food was brilliant all you can eat and very good variety there was always a different menu each day, well suited for all.

The Hotel is on top of a very large hill, but they have buses to the beach and the taxi's are very cheap and plenty of them around to take you to where ever you want.

Would highly recommend this hotel to anyone.

The hotel has the most stunning veiws, it's cleanliness is outstanding. There is only one bad point about the rooms and that is that the tv only has sky sport & sky news in english all other channels are geared up for the Spanish & Germans.

We found the staff very pleasent but after visiting the Carribean for the last 7 years found them sometimes sharp and not really over helpful (unlike cuba & Dom Rep).

The entertainment of an evening was a little poor but after a long day sunbathing, drinking & eating we used to go back to the room by 10pm to sit on the balcany with a drink or two (note that you are unable to buy any drinks inside the hotel for you mini fridge, you have to go to the local shop to purchase these).

I would visit the hotel again if I wanted a relaxing holiday only. One problem we did find was if your return flight home is after 12 midnight then expect a long day ahead, we had to check out of the room at 11.00am we left our suitcases in the luggage room and then had to wait till 5.30pm before we could have a shower in the courtesy room which was a bit of a strain when there are 3 other tour operators that are also checking out and departing for the airport at the same time.

We also had to pay 15 euros each for our evening meal which was a bit of a con when we didn't arrive until 3am on sunday morning and the package was for 7 night accomodation with food and then a further wait after dinner for coach to collect you!! there are not many chairs in reception.

We travelled to the Riu Vistamar for our parents Silver wedding anniversary. They had arrived the week before us and met us in the reception area. The reception staff were excellent and when they could only place two of the party on the same floor as our parents were most apologetic. We were given water for the room and advised that their was a buffet laid on in the restuarant for those arriving late and our bags were taken by the porter.

Next morning we met for breakfast and managed to find a table for six no problem. The food was gorgeous as it was at every meal time, be it served at the pool bar or the restaurant.

The pool area and solarium were kept spotless and the staff were always helpful and nothing was too much trouble. There was also a bus laid on to take you to Amadores beach and Puerto Rico is a lovely walk along the cliffs. If you're up for a challenge try climbing the hill on the way back to the hotel- certainly helps to burn off those calories!

The entertainment staff tried their best and their musical shows were fun to watch. The sketches were a bit ropey as they had to repeat everything in various languages but that's all part of catering for different nationalities.

All in all we had a blast and my parents are going back in January 06 followed by my sister and I in February. Can't wait!

Excellent hotel, friendly staff who seemed genuinely pleased to see you, great service and food.

Kids club and early disco were well run with loads of activities, and plenty of activities for the adults too around the poolside.

The cliff top setting gives great views, but with a young child we found leaving the hotel on foot rather difficult as the roads are unbelievably steep, however a courtesy bus is available during the day to take guests down to the beach and taxis are very reasonable.

The rooms are well furnished and carpeted and although a hair dryer is provided it's not very powerful, so not a lot of use if you want to style your hair.