We visited this hotel for the first time in January 2012, having stayed at the Riu Palaces in Tenerife and Algarve on several occasions. We were not disappointed.
After handing over our passports at check-in, we were directed to the bar for a complimentary glass of cava. When we returned we were handed the room keys and our bags were carried to the room. The porter noticed that one of the strips on the luggage stand was loose and said he would get it attended to. Sure enough, it was fixed within ten minutes.
As we travelled with Thomson, we expected a room with a supermarket view, but were very pleased to have a room on floor 2 facing the setting sun. It did overlook the dining room roof but was very sheltered, quiet and private. The rooms at this hotel don't have a conventional sea view as the sea is perhaps 200m away and hidden by many palm trees.
The extensive grounds, containing blocks of villas, have direct access onto the promenade a couple of minutes walk from Faro lighthouse. There are several busy restaurants close by.
The hotel room was very comfortable, the cleaner was excellent, all staff were exceptionally friendly, polite and helpful.
The guests were predominently German, Dutch and Scandinavian and very pleasant and friendly. We were struck by the number of people who had just arrived and immediately renewed acquaintances with people they had met on previous visits.
The food is probably the main reason why we keep returning to Riu. Breakfasts could be viewed as repetitive, but the variety of choice is vast and eggs are freshly cooked any way you want them. Dinner can be taken at 6pm or 8pm and food is hot and freshly cooked, a lot of it in front of you. There is too much variety to list here, but be assured that there is more than enough choice for the fussiest eater.
The pool area (two of them) is very clean, very quiet with more than enough sun beds. The water was heated and a pleasant temperature. There was a small pool for children, but we didn't see any, the majority of guests being 50 - 70 years old.
Although the weather this year was slightly cooler than expected, it was dry and very pleasant, and we will return to this hotel.

This is a loveley hotel just along the prom from the sand dunes of Maspalomos. Food here is very good. I stayed here several years ago. I would come back. The beach just across the prom is not that good but it is only a liitle walk to the dunes. There are shops and cafes a few moments walk. Food at the hotel is very good

a post christmas break - flight not too long from Doncaster airport. we have visited dozens of Riu hotels and this one positionally and building / room quality was very good.
Firstly, the avarage client whilst we were there was a 70 year-old German.
Hotel was clean and polished with excellent staff but by far the best feature was the meals. The food is simply the best - five star quality and choice. The price of the drinks (half board hotel) was excessive with the price of a large beer around 4-5 euros but then there are lots of bars not too far away to visit close-bye. Everybody involved with the hotel are professional and freindly except the man who checked us out of the hotel at the end of our holiday. Rene (from the Netherlands) was so pro-German and so anti Brit I was shocked. my wife almost brokedown in tears by the way he spoke to her and If left to him my wife and I would still be stood waiting to pay our bill! I refuse to let one incident spoil what was a great week. a first class hotel.

We usually stay in the Riu Club hotel next door which is all inclusive. This year we fancied a change so we went to the Palace instead. We stayed in one of the villas and had a really enjoyable holiday. The gala meal New Years Eve was excellent especially if you like lobster. We are glad we decided to have a change this year as we would always stay at the Palace in future. Infact we have booked again for this September.