Impressive stay
22 April 2008
Just got back from the above listed apartments in Torrox.
Booked a 2 bedroom apartment for 8days for the 4 of us. The hotel is impressive finely decorated in the main reception lobby, the bar and the free wi fi zone are also kept spotless. The only disappointment was the location of the main building compared to the apartment block, it felt that you were not part of the hotel as such, having a separate access to the apartments, would have preferred to have been located inside the main complex.
The rooms i found adequate, cleaned daily to a good standard although any used cups would not be washed out for you. The kitchen is basic but depends on how much you want to use it, if self catering it would be a nightmare to use.
The pool is presented to a good standard although being the month of April the pool was too cold for any one to use. Facilities for the children were basic, but it was out of season at the time.
The restaurant we found to be reasonable, but the selection of food was a bit disappointing, albeit fine if you like the continental style of food. One good thing is that upon arrival / check in you are presented with a sitting option for your evening meal, this avoids the usual scrum for the dinner tables , we opted for 6.30pm 1st sitting.
The staff are friendly , helpful and do take pride in the roles, plenty of staff to people ratio, but the thing that i noticed was that there seemed to be more favoritism towards the German tourists.
The indoor pool was as cold as the outdoor pool , indoor heating would have been an advantage.
Pro's: Well presented hotel, with keen , friendly staff, and good accommodation standards,
Meals good choice and cost at the pool side snack bar, for lunch.
Con's: Too many German tourists, poor choice of food, isolated with very little to do i the evenings . The entertainment was terrible presented mainly by the same two people every other night, and ended at 10.30pm. The location of the hotel not a child nor family holiday location more suited to older couples. Not a family orientated hotel.The beach was dirty and consisted of huge stones and pebbles.
I have given this hotel a rating of 8/10 but that is just based on the hotel itself.
food:3/10
room:8/10
Facilities:3/10
Location: 2/10
I don't think I'd return to this hotel but would defiantly recommend the riu chain of hotels.
One more thing your not obliged to buy a drink with your evening meal.
S.Craggs, Cramlington, uk
Family with Children 11 and Under
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The elegant Riu Ferrara
26 January 2008
I stayed for a week at the Riu Ferrara with my adult son during January 2008. We had paid a little extra for a room with a seaview, and I think it was worth the difference. We were given a `junior suite' overlooking the lovely pool and gardens which open onto the promenade; we could hear the sound of the waves even as we lay in bed at night.
This is a beautiful hotel and it was oustanding value for money. The hotel is immaculately maintained and tastefully furnished throughout. Our room was very spacious and comfortable with a sofa, satellite tv and a well stocked minibar.We stayed on a half board basis and were very impressed with the range and quality of food at every meal. We found the multilingual staff to be very pleasant, cheerful and efficient. The hotel manager took a very close and personal interest in his customers, and in every aspect of the hotel. The hotel facilities are good, although the indoor pool is small. Entertainment is provided in the hotel every evening but we saw little of it as we preferred to take a bit of air next to the sea after the gargantuan evening meals.
Torrox Costa in January was quite sedate but there were a fair selection of cafes and restaurants to sample at lunchtime. We were blessed with a lot of sunshine and temperatures reaching 20'C so we were mostly content just to soak up the sun. If you want to get out and about a bit more you can catch a bus close to the hotel into Nerja or in the other direction towards Malaga.
Our complete satisfaction with this hotel was echoed by all of the other guests we spoke with during our stay. I would recommend this hotel without reservation to friends or family.
Ian Carter, West Yorkshire
Young Couple (18-35)
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Feasting and fun at the Riu Ferrara?
26 September 2007
I booked a three week holiday for my father and carer at the Riu Ferrara in Torrox Costa. This was my first choice hotel as I had stayed there a few years ago and I knew I was on reasonably safe ground!
The area boasts 'lo mejor clima de Europa' (the best climate in Europe, and this is what it delivered, even for a 'late' holiday - the last three weeks in September. They found the Riu Ferrara a restful and calm place, with subtle, Moorish style decor and very good accommodation. My father was particularly delighted with the double aspect suite which was very accessible for his wheelchair. There were lifts and back ways through the hotel rooms so they could get down to dinner each night, and also which enabled them to go out through the pool area and through the back gates for their nightly pre-prandial excursion along the paseo maritimo which its bars and shops.
The staff were attentive, very friendly but very efficient, and nothing was too much trouble. The dining room staff must merit particular praise because, having found out my father had been a Spitfire pilot, pulled out all the stops to ensure that he was treated accordingly. Dinner became a special occasion every night and what's more is that they had fun and lots of laughter across the language barrier. We joined them on several occasions as we live nearby, and we were made most welcome.
The outside swimming pool was wheelchair friendly, the lifeguard vigilant, so we were able to get him into the warm pool for a long-awaited swim with the minimum of effort.
What more can I say, except thanks to all concerned. As they said their goodbyes, I'm sure I saw a small tear fall from his eye. I'm sure we will be booking again.
Lynda Franklin, Dorset
Mature Couple (36+)
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Excellent Week @ the Riu Ferrara, 12 June 07.
22 June 2007
Just returned from an excellent week at the Riu Ferrara, staying on half board basis in the apartment building which is an integral part of the hotel complex. The apartments are extremely well appointed and spacious, with separate lounge, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and good size balconies.
The hotel facilities and the decor are first class with large and numerous sitting areas. The pool and gardens which lead directly on to the sea are spacious and very well maintained. If you have children, the 'Kiddies Club' is great and run by the friendly multi-lingual Audrey.
A special mention to Fran, who I think is the Head Barman, for all his help when my granddaughter was ill and the unnamed taxi driver who spent over 2 hours driving around and waiting while we dashed between medical centres, pharmacies etc and only charged us 20 euros.
The only slight down side from our point of view was the rather rigid evening dining times of either 7 pm or 9 pm and the food was average to good, rather than excellent, although there was plenty of choice.
Overall the hotel is excellent and would recommend it for all types of traveller. We will definitely return.
John Lumley, Wolviston, Cleveland, England
Family with Children 11 and Under
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RIU FERRARA STAY IN MAY 07
27 May 2007
The Riu Ferrara is an excellent hotel - food great, very clean, rooms cleaned daily. Only downfall was entertainment did not start until 10pm. Great people - very friendly but not a lot to do in Torrox if weather was bad. In all we had a great holiday. This is a first class hotel.
TINA COLLINS, ROCHESTER KENT ENGLAND
Family with Children 11 and Under
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Weekend at Riu Ferrera
11 December 2006
We arrived late afternoon on the Friday 6th December, the greeting at the reception was superb, we were given a complimentary glass of chamapagne by the receptionist who was called Chonci, she explained all the facilities of the hotel and times etc, the hotel is very impressive with spacious gardens and an enormous outdoor pool, and you can´t get any nearer the beach. When you walk out of the hotel there is a spacious paseo with many bars and restaurants, also in the hotel the indoor pool is wonderful along with the gym, with the hotels position in Torrox Costa, its only a short bus ride to the old quaint spanish village of Torrox, which has spectacular views to the sea, and along the coast a short ride to Nerja which is beautiful, the food in the hotel is excellent and the breakfast is unbelievable, so much choice, and in the evening there is entertainment in the hotel, to sum it all up, great hotel with everthing at your fingertips,very friendly and helpful staff, i will be going back, thankyou alpharooms as you were the only agency with rooms available at a very busy spanish holiday weekend, and it was cheaper to book with you than directly with the hotel itself, i will certainly recommend your company to all my friends.
Brendan Gaughan, spain
Mature Couple (36+)
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Review of 'RIU FERRARA'
22 April 2006
When my family and I stayed at the RIU, we thouroughly enjoyed our stay. The facilities were great, which included a games area, indoor and outdoor pools. The location was excellent as it was right on the Paseo Maritimo. The Restaurant and Snack Bar only had the highest quality of food and the evening and breakfast meals were superb.
I would definitely reccommend this hotel to anyone. I'm already going back in August!
Maria, Gibraltar
Family with teenagers 12+
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Review of 'RIU FERRARA'
08 September 2005
I have to be honest how pleasently surprised I was upon arrival at this hotel. I have been in similar rated hotels but none have come close. The building is good and is kept looking very fresh, no aging carpets or paint. The rooms are of a reasonable size although they are not amazingly spacious. The biggest surprise was that the rooms were very soundproof and all the noise created by the bar disappeared after the door was slid shut. The food was very good although the menu is catered towards the German palet somewhat with its over emphasis on pork. There is more than enough variety provided though. Service was excellent too. The outside pool is very large and can cater for both adults and children. The indoor pool was closed, no big deal though. I do have three gripes though, one, the entertainment was rather Hi-de-Hi in quality, the childrens activities seemed to be spanish language orientated and finally, through no fault of the hotel, the surrounding town isn't up to this excellent hotels standard. All in all, an exceedlingly good place to stay for families.
Mrs Lutley Chan, Stratford Upon Avon, England
Family with Children 11 and Under
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Review of 'RIU FERRARA'
17 June 2005
An excellent hotel, well situated in Costa Torrox, with direct gated entry to the prom. A high standard exists in the hotel and the bedroom corridors are carpetted thus quiet. Food excellent and a very varied selection both a breakfast and dinner. The two sittings for dinner of 6.30 and 8.30 cater for all needs and staff are friendly and helpful. In all a hotel to be recommended.
J A MACKAY, Perthshire, Scotland
Mature Couple (36+)
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