Hotel Riu Bravo - 0'0 All Inclusive

I’m staying at RIU Bravo in Palma de Mallorca now, and the experience has been deeply disappointing from the start. The hotel trades on the RIU name and reputation, but what I’ve found is poor service, misleading advertising, and very little hospitality. The advertised “all-inclusive” offer doesn’t match what’s actually included. A lot of things guests would naturally expect aren’t covered, and the service and amenities don’t meet the standard I associate with RIU. My birthday was yesterday, and it became one of my most uncomfortable travel experiences. The room AC stopped working. When I called reception, they told me to wait until the next day and use the fan in the room. There was no urgency, empathy, or real attempt to fix it. That evening I tried to order room service, or at least get water, but was told the hotel doesn’t offer room service. My room phone was broken, so I went down to reception. A staff member pointed me to a small room beside the lobby with a water dispenser and plastic cups. The cup I picked up had a lipstick stain despite being marked clean. That was the last straw, and I found it completely unacceptable for any hotel, especially one using the RIU name. The atmosphere also didn’t match the impression from the advertising. Most guests seemed elderly, which changed the energy and experience a lot. I have nothing against that, but I think it should be made clear before booking. Between the all-inclusive promise that didn’t ring true, broken amenities, lack of service, and poor hygiene, this place feels like a disgrace to the RIU brand. My stay has been frustrating and far from enjoyable. I’d strongly advise future guests to think twice: what’s advertised online and what you experience in person are completely different.

We used the hotel as a base for touring the island, and it’s about a 25-minute coach ride from Palma airport. It’s right on the strip where the revellers are, though the noise level wasn’t too bad. The rooms have very little soundproofing, so they can get noisy when the cleaners start. The food was really good, with a great variety, and everything was immaculately clean. Alcohol is limited to three drinks with lunch and evening meals; after that, you have to buy drinks in the bar lounge. Before our return flight, they let us use the outdoor shower area of the indoor pool to freshen up and provided clean towels. Happy days! I’d come back, but only as a base for exploring the island.

The rooms feel small and dated, and there’s no microwave. Laundry also costs extra. The meals were definitely a plus, though, and the staff deserve a shout-out, from reception and the servers to the chefs and food handlers. They’re what make the place stand out.

The food was the highlight for us: there were several places to eat during the day, with a steady range of dishes and some changes on different days. It was always presented well, and everything looked clean. The Riu bravo is a lovely 4* hotel, with good amenities and a great location. Our room was a bit small for a 4*, but comfortable enough. The surrounding area can get rowdy in the afternoon and evening, and we were woken a few times by doors slamming and drunk people shouting as they came back late. We knew that was a possibility given the area we’d chosen. There’s a strong German presence, so it may not suit families, and the hotel felt more geared to partygoers. Our group of 8 young adults had no problems with that. Turn right along the beach if you want a more Spanish stretch.