Rio Playa Blanca

For an easy five-day family break, this was absolutely fine and good value. The bungalow-style accommodation was decent, there were basic snacks available through the day, plenty of sun loungers, and varied evening entertainment that the kids enjoyed. The main pool was cold. Flamingo Beach is close by, and the children liked the Dino water park at the sister hotel, about a 10-minute walk away. Food selection was reasonable, with enough for anyone who isn’t fussy, though it was often lukewarm, which was disappointing. Glasses and cups were frequently dirty, and supplies ran out at busy times each day. The BBQ evenings went down well, especially the tasty pork ribs. I’ve stayed at a lot of all-inclusive resorts over the years, and this one was okay.

We were really happy with our New Year stay, our first time in Lanzarote and our first all-inclusive holiday. The walk to the nearest beach and promenade takes about 15 minutes, with one road to cross at a pedestrian crossing. The resort has flat paths and ramps in place of stairs, so it’s generally accessible. Some bungalow approaches are steep despite being step-free, which could be difficult for someone using a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Reception is up a small hill at the front, and the lift down to the ground floor was out of order during our visit while repairs were underway. Hopefully it’s working again now. Our bungalow had a lounge, comfortable, spacious twin beds, a large bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a small south-facing terrace. It was cleaned daily, and the surrounding gardens were very well kept. Of the three pools, we used the smaller, warmest one during our late-January visit. We also spent time by the larger pool at the resort’s edge, where it was quieter. The smaller pool area could get busy in summer. The food was better than we expected, with regular outdoor BBQs and chefs making omelettes and other dishes at mealtimes, though there can be a queue. The menu changed each day. As a vegetarian, I only struggled to put together a suitable meal once, and usually found a good range of clearly marked options. Both dining areas were clean, and plates were cleared promptly. The room sometimes got noisy because so many people ate at the same time, but it wasn’t a major problem. Staff were friendly, and the entertainment team worked hard. As a couple without children, we didn’t join the activities or shows. I can imagine it being busy with families in high summer, but we had a lovely stay.

The grounds are spacious, clean and beautifully laid out, with neat gardens and stone paths. There’s a large pool in front of the restaurant, a lifeguard, and an active animation team. A supermarket near the pool sells drinks and other necessities. The lobby bar beside reception is far too small for the number of guests when the weather is bad. The snack bar was fine for a hamburger, and the food there was always pleasantly hot. The hotel also has an Italian restaurant. The main restaurant was chaotic, though, and didn’t feel worthy of a four-star rating. Breakfast the morning after our arrival was extensive and much quieter than dinner had been. The food itself was okay, but clearly geared towards English guests, who made up a large part of the hotel. We arrived at Rio Playa Blanca on 24 February and got a very friendly welcome at reception. The first bungalow was a letdown compared with its advertised four-star rating: cleaning was poor and the bathroom was covered in mold. It was sickening. We complained to reception, but a day later nothing had been done. We were also filing a complaint with tour operator Corendon. Thanks to intervention by the Corendon Hostes, we were eventually moved to a mold-free bungalow. It took some effort, and the hostess had to speak sternly with reception. The hotel really isn’t bad, but there are several things that could be improved. This was in February 2026.

The gardens were lovely, though I wish people wouldn’t leave litter around. It was also disappointing that the pool bar served beer in paper cups. Our two-bedroom bungalow was clean, spacious and very nice, but the bed pillows were old and poor quality. The hot tub was so noisy we switched it off. There are two good-sized pools, one heated and one not. The water is very deep, so keep an eye on little ones, especially as there’s only one lifeguard. The pool bar was poor, with a horrible nacho-cheese smell that I think might be intended to discourage people from drinking more. Breakfast and lunch were okay, but dinner was poor. Playa Blanca is only a 20-minute walk away and has a really good choice of places to eat in the evening. The entertainment was bad: on two nights the 9.15 performance was cancelled without notice. Oddly, management could tell me on Saturday morning who was booked to perform that night. It’s a shame, because the outdoor theatre is quite impressive. The hotel is okay for a few nights or even a week, but any longer and I’d wish I’d stayed at the Iberostar down the road.