Holiday World Riwo Hotel

This six-story property is part of the Holiday World group of hotels, the majority of which cater to families on holiday from the U.K and across Spain. The large lobby has a fresh and vibrant feel due to the green and white color scheme and numerous potted plants. It is filled with natural light, as there are large windows down both sides. Lots of sofas and coffee tables are dotted around the area to make this a popular spot for groups to gather, and there's a children's play area too. The hotel is aimed at families with young children and those staying in the Dinoworld section of the hotel don't need to wait until they're in their rooms to experience it -- models of dinosaurs line the hallways and hang from the ceilings throughout that part of the hotel. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will want to look elsewhere, as the vibe here is lively, boisterous, and child-friendly overall.

The Holiday Palace is in a fairly isolated from any town or city, and there's little of interest within walking distance. It is equally situated between the towns of Benalmadena and Fuengirola, around a 20-minute drive to the center of both. Many guests who stay here opt to stay on-site for the duration of their vacation. Those wanting to get around should find it fairly easy, though, as there is a bus stop right outside the hotel. The property is part of the Holiday World complex, and the beach club facilities are shared with the other properties and are a short bus ride away. They can also be reached within a 10-minute walk. The beach club shuttle is free and runs frequently throughout the day. Malaga Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

Room categories at the Holiday Palace are Junior Suite, Suite, and Dinoworld Junior Suite. All can accommodate four people and have air-conditioning, a huge balcony or terrace, and TVs with satellite channels. They also have a separate living areas with dining tables and full kitchens. The kitchens include a stove, fridge, microwave, sink, and crockery and cutlery. On the surface, rooms are bright and modern, with a soft color scheme featuring pops of orange, gray, and green. There are white marble floors in all rooms, which look elegant, and Suites have slightly more contemporary furniture, though the look is a bit muddled and confused -- with sleek bar-style seating alongside bland plush couches. Style is not uniform across rooms, and many suffer some sort of datedness or upkeep issues -- we saw tube-style TVs in some rooms, unattractive bedspreads, and some furniture that needed maintenance. Dinoworld Suites are a big hit with little people who love dinosaurs as the rooms are themed and have brightly-colored cartoon dinosaur pictures dotted around, as well as framed posters with fun dino facts. Bathrooms are large and have a separate tubs and showers, double sink vanities, toiletries, and hairdryers.

The hotel has an outdoor pool with a shallower kid's splash pool. It's a large area surrounded by a wide terrace with lounge chairs and tables packed in tightly. There's also an indoor pool and a spa which has treatment rooms, a sauna, and steam room. A large fitness center is next to this, and has a range of equipment including weights, treadmills, and exercise bikes which look out over the outdoor pools. There is also a game room inside which has a pool table, and a range of arcade machines. The kid's club has an extensive range of facilities including a soft play center and art tables. A convenience shop sells everything from clothes and souvenirs to diapers and food. The outdoor playground is another excellent facility for children where there are a range of slides and climbing frames. A free shuttle bus goes to and from the hotel's beach club. The large beach club has a huge variety of areas to entertain children and adults, such as a huge pirate ship, jungle themed area, and lots of water slides, waterfalls, and wave machines. It also has sports courts including soccer, tennis, and basketball. It’s free to use for those on an all-inclusive package. For eating and drinking, the hotel has a buffet restaurant that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers international cuisine but also has theme nights, such as Mexican and Italian cuisine. By the pool there's a snack bar that's open all day and evening, and for drinks there's a cocktail bar and a sports bar with a big screen. Room service is available and offers an extensive menu from omelets and burgers to grilled swordfish. The hotel has Wi-Fi but there is a charge to use it.