리아 파크 호텔 앤드 스파

Spent 7 days here and was happy to leave to be honest. We had high hopes having arrived from the Hilton Vilamoura where we had 5 lovely days in a hotel where the staff and general atmosphere was/were a perfect complement to the fine facilities. More about that in a separate review. On arrival at Ria Park, we encountered three staff behind the counter chatting among themselves. We were the only ones waiting to be checked in. The three staff continued to chat before one of them turned to see us without acknowledgment and then turned back to the other two with a gesture as though it was someone else’s turn to check us in. Eventually one came to the counter and without greeting or even looking at us just said ‘Passports?’ Everything was quite efficient but oddly cold to say the least. When we got to the room, it was a twin. We had booked a double. So went back downstairs and said we’d like a double as that was what we had booked. The staff member said that we had booked a twin and the all their rooms were twins. After I produced evidence of our booking of a double they then turned to a colleague to consult and then turned back to say again that “all our rooms are the same”. There was another conversation behind the counter and the staff member returned to say ‘Ok, we will get housekeeping to make the bed up as one’. This turned out to be a perfectly adequate solution which left us thinking as to why this had not been suggested three minutes earlier. There was no apology. The opposite in fact. We were subjected to near eye- rolling, unveiled and obvious disdain. The seven days turned out to be fine. Pool area was ok. Bed very comfortable. Facilities and room dated but fine. Small TV screen. Breakfast quite good but the breakfast room staff, with the exception of the always pleasant and helpful Marta, looked a bit listless. Checkout was clinical as the whole week had been. No inquiry as to whether we had enjoyed our stay. Nothing. An unsmiling parting. At best, this is hotel with mostly four star facilities and an efficient if box-ticking service.

Checked in to ria park as a last minute booking following a nightmare end of our holiday (in a local apartment) where my youngest son and I were unable to go home as planned with the rest of our family. We had stayed a night before we arrived at Ria park in another local 5 star hotel and had a terrible experience there. From the moment we walked in to the ria park we were made to feel so safe and welcome. The room we were given was perfect, we ordered room service and it was absolutely fantastic. The hotel is so clean. We received a lovely welcome tray with some treats for my son and fresh fruit and waters. The air con was perfect, great tea and coffee facilities. Maid service so efficient. We didn’t have a chance to use the pool but was clean and lovely, lots of loungers available. We were able to get a late check out which I was extremely grateful for after a difficult week and an evening flight. Breakfast was brilliant, lots of offer and we ate lunch at the pool bar. Brilliant selection, I was particularly impressed as I was able to get a vegetarian soja bolognaise. It’s in a great location for lovely restaurants and days out. I’m so pleased we stumbled across this hotel and will be booking to stay here next year. A special mention to Marta on reception. The was just the most kind and lovely person. So helpful. Thank you!