Hotel Riu Tikida Dunas - All Inclusive

We’re already confirming dates to come back in April. The place is big enough that you can get away from the activity and read on a sofa, though there’s also lots going on: evening shows in a separate room with its own bar, music upstairs, and karaoke near the pool tables. The children’s disco didn’t take over the evening entertainment, which was a pleasant surprise since we usually choose adults-only hotels. I’m not sure what it’s like during school holidays. The staff were outstanding, the room was very comfortable, and the hotel was exceptionally clean. Drinks came in a good range, and the food was what you’d expect from an all-inclusive. I don’t usually leave without a complaint, but this time I had none. One small wish: a wristband upgrade so it could also open the room, as it does at many hotels.

The early breakfast before our 6:30 a.m. departure was a letdown. We were told it would be open from 6:00, but the restaurant doors were shut when we arrived. A staff member noticed us after 10 minutes and let us in. There was little ready, and no fresh bread, coffee, or croissants. We’d also asked for a lunch package, but that request had been declined. The dinner restaurant staff were consistently warm and smiling, and I want to acknowledge that. The rest of the service, though, was very poor, despite the hotel having the potential to offer much more. The cocktails weren’t enjoyable either, as they tasted like drinks made with syrup rather than proper cocktails. We had requested a cold dinner in our room before arriving, since we were traveling with small children and expected to get in late. The hotel confirmed it. Lost luggage delayed us until shortly before 1 a.m. We’d checked in online, but still had to repeat the whole process at reception, which took around 20 minutes. That was especially difficult with young children. The shower cabin had a lot of mold on the showerhead holder. We reported it to reception the next day, but it wasn’t dealt with at any point during our stay. The app was another dead end: my manicure appointment request got no answer, and the SPA team told me in person they don’t take reservations through it. I also requested an iron through the app and got no reply. Because our luggage was missing and we didn’t know when it would arrive, we asked for laundry service on day two. The quoted turnaround was 48 hours, but after two days there was still no laundry. On day three, reception told me we had to pay first and the clothes would only be brought to the room afterward. They wouldn’t add the charge to our room, citing hotel policy. I work at a 5-star hotel myself and didn’t find that convincing, since a simple credit card pre-authorization could cover extra services.

The restaurant staff were helpful and attentive, even with the crowds, and reception staff were welcoming and explained things clearly. But the dining room was regularly packed, largely with large package-tour groups, so finding a table was hard, especially for families. Food across the meals was below average, often too salty and more like mass catering than a good all-inclusive. Breakfast was plentiful, but still underwhelming in taste. We were there for three nights as a family with young children, and the stay fell short. Our room was spacious but dated, smelled unpleasant, and was on the second floor a long way from reception. There was no elevator, so hauling luggage and baby things upstairs ourselves was a hassle. The mattress wasn’t comfortable, and basic items like guest slippers were missing. No one offered to help with our luggage or stroller when we arrived. The cloth wristbands were uncomfortable too: my 3-year-old tightened hers by accident and began crying. The hotel seemed set up more for big tour groups than families wanting a relaxed, child-friendly stay. Staff were polite and tried their best, but the crowds, food, room condition, and lack of family comforts affected our visit. We enjoyed it less than expected and wouldn’t recommend it to families with young children looking for a comfortable family holiday.

The hotel itself was okay, but some interactions with staff were unpleasant, and it doesn’t deserve four stars. At breakfast, a waiter came over after I’d been seated for five minutes and told me to move. I was alone at a large table in a crowded dining room, so moving was fair enough. The way he handled it wasn’t. He called, “mister come come…” and walked off empty-handed to find a smaller table, leaving me to carry two drinks and two plates while he discussed it with colleagues who also had empty hands. A polite request and an offer to help would have made all the difference. I also went to a restaurant that required a booking, but didn’t know how to book. Instead of simply saying it wasn’t possible, they could have explained the prebooking process and how to do it.