Like many hotels in Gran Canaria the Riu Vistamar is built into the rock face and sits imposingly at the cliff top with stunning views of Puerto Rico to one side and the new beach on Amadores below to the other side. The curtsey bus to the beach running most of the day was a real bonus and from there you could take a lovely walk into Puerto Rico. You could also walk to the nearby Europa centre from the hotel or take a local taxi or bus to neighbouring resorts. Both are very good value.

We stayed for 1 week from 7th Feb 04 and from the beginning were impressed by the friendly staff in all areas of the hotel; they were a credit to the Riu name.

The food in the hotel was also very good and very varied. On the negative side the nearer you are to the UK the less hotels seem to pamper to the all inclusive image, and if you have been AI in the Caribbean, the range of options are always a little disappointing elsewhere.

The hotel has nine floors with the pool area and day time bar located on the ninth, reception and entrance to 7th floor restaurant on the eighth, and all rooms on the lower floors. The second floor room we were allocated had a strong smell of stale cigarettes, which is always difficult if you don

Looking on here, I would agree with the comments posted, as an 'EX' Anamacion team member I do understand the problems that both the ents team and the UK public are up against.

The British public are a lot harder to please than the European punter and most of these type of hotels do advertise entertainment and provide it to the best of their ability and within the realms of tight budgets, (ents is always budgeted last)..

On our stay the hotel had very good animators, lively, punctual, smart and very very enthusiastic. The term Animator is mainly describing someone who can get you moving out of your sunbed and joining in with things, games/sports/shows etc. These guys have lots of tricks up their sleeves to make your holiday pass with much enjoyment.

I truly believe that the UK public does enjoy the amadores daytime program but not the night.

A typical timetable was: 7.45 MINI DISCO, Followed by (8.15) a duo or piped CD music, this was the big problem. the hotel only could offer one big bar (show lounge) and a smokey reception area, so you were forced after 1st seating dinner to watch the children dance then a duo or NOTHING until showtime at 9.30.I must note that the duo's on offer for my stay were very opposite in terms of talent and act, one was dire, miming to pre recorded music and another were great all live and playing sax keyboards and singing.

I got the hump with this after a few nights and thought that the in house team could have provided some type of program for this long wait, an icebreaker quiz or even the dreaded BINGO. Anyway this hotel is great, animation shows are average but the visiting shows are usually good, we had a tribute to the Supremes GREAT, a black soul singer, GREAT, AND a variety act with contortionist and juggling GREAT.

My evenings were on the whole good with 4/7 nights excellent BUT the other nights VERY POOR, if the animation team could offer a bit more on these poor nights I'm sure their scoring would rise.

Hope you find all this ok.

This was the first time that we had ever been on an all inclusive holiday and NEVER AGAIN!

However there were people that were pleased with the hotel but there were many who were as disapponted as we were. I suppose it depends on personal choice and standards.

The food was particularly disappointing as it was always cold and not enjoyable. Lost half a stone in a week! The dining area reminded us of being back at school as you had to choose what time you wanted to eat and you had no privacy as you were literally sat with other families.

The entertainment was terrible and there was only one entertainment room which was like entering an ASHTRAY! We couldn't even escape the smoke in the hotel reception area as this was also a smoking area.

We would never visit this hotel again as it wasn't up to our expectations. We couldn't wait to go home, a complete waste of money.

Hotel looked very nice from outside but this hotel is far from a 4 star rating.

Cleanliness could be much improved as stains from where drinks had been spilt were still there 3 days later.

The all inclusive just breeds greed, drink is too plentiful. Luckily the food was varied and there was plenty.

Staff were ok, at times though it was too much trouble for them to help you.

Entertainment was awful, I mean terrible. We had to visit the town. The hotel is lacking another bar for people who just want a nice drink, there is a terrace bar on the cliff edge but in the winter months it is too cold and windy to be sitting in the open space.

Very disappointed with hotel overall. Very poor.

Spent Christmas in this great hotel and would recommend it.

The food was excellent and the 2 pools were very clean with plenty of sunbeds.

Rooms very clean and well furnished. Fantastic views of the sea and the free bus to beach was a plus.

Entertainment was not as good as I hoped.

Only downside to this hotel is the steep uphill walk into the nearby town.

I can only echo everything Alan just said below. This is rated a 4 star hotel but we can't understand why it's not 5 star. The only downside for us was the evening entertainment as it becomes a bit tedious listening to everything in 5 different languages but then all big all inclusive hotels are like that so we knew what to expect - only a ten minute walk from Europa Centre though so plenty nightlife there.

Nothing is too much trouble for any of the staff and it was my birthday when we there so my husband had put balloons and banners in our room for me - when we came back later there was a bottle of wine and a basket of fruit with good wishes from the management - now that's good customer service !

Aircon and ceiling fans in the rooms at no charge and the safes are also free.

You won't be disappointed if you choose this hotel.

This is by far the best hotel I have stayed in so far.

The all inclusive matches and in fact exceeds that in the Caribbean. The range and variety of food not to mention the amount was excellent.

The hotel and its facilities seemed more 5 star than 4 the room was well appointed, clean and always refreshed daily with no inconvenience to any of our party.

The relaxed atmosphere was appreciated by all of our party which included 2 21yr olds a 22yr old one 18 yr old and 2 40+, this variety of tastes would be hard for any hotel to be able to satisfy but the Vistamar catered for us all. All 6 people in our party are keen to return to the Vistamar as soon as we are able.

The Amadores beach is superb and the courtesy bus means that their is not a great deal of walking to be done.

The hotel lifts although critisised elsewhere here, did not present any problems. We were on the 4th floor and did use the stairs to come down from reception, nor the dining area, good exercise to work off the superb food!

2 great pools more than enough sunbeds and an excellent pool bar. If anything the only improvement that would help would be to keep the pool bar open till at least 10 pm for those who do not want to sit inside to drink or watch the entertainment.

The entertainment staff work so hard and I am amazed at how they keep so happy for the amount of hours they put in.

All in all a fantastic hotel and one that I would recommend to all age groups.

A superb hotel where the staff were extremely attentive throughout our stay.
Excellent food both snacks and meals.
Superb bar staff who would pour your next drink when they saw you finishing the one in your hand.
Plenty of sun beds and parasols.
Although there is a hairdryer provided it is not very powerful so recommend you take your own.
All in all an excellent hotel and holiday

I recently returned from the Vistamar having had an excellent time. As you may have seen most any brochures - it's built on a hillside. Although most complain that it's too hilly I believe it actually makes for the most amazing views.
The hotel itself is very good. Well laid out (although rooms are at the bottom and all the features are at the top - levels 8 & 9). Our room was fantastic. We managed to get a room where the hotel slightly angles so it gave us a double balcony. They have individual air conditioning with fans - so when it's hot it really makes the difference. Pools great, animation team (I found) were a good laugh, facilities good but best of all the food. Plentiful and brilliant variety. And the staff....as helpful and polite as anyone could be. Well done RIU.

The hotel is fantastic, view great! Maid service daily if you like too! Fresh towels daily....brilliant! The staff were very hard working and friendly, remembering what you drink at the bar.
Entertainment was ok ish, couldn't have stood much more tho, there was one fantastic night and a lot of nights playing cards while the entertainment was in the background, not that they didn't dance their hearts out, just not my thing!

I had read a review saying they put too much alcohol in a drink and I laughed!.... until I had my first malibu and coke. I had heartburn every night from too much malibu and when asked to put only a small amount in, they laughed and ignored me!

I found the food was nice but all fried and done in some sort of oil or seasoning. I just wanted something plain toward the end! Tables are too close together, you can easily eavesdrop. The space between one table and another is about 5cm. Yes....5cm!

The Europa centre up the hill made a nice change and we went there alot. For meals and bars. A lovely Italian called Valentino's, gorgeous food! Stay away form the steak grill house....minging!

Sounds like a lot of negatives but I'd definately go there again. It was home from home and the best holiday we've had!

Ps. The pool is FREEZING!!!