Riva Marina Resort - Cdshotels

Stayed here for a week half board + drinks package on a Mistral Holidays Puglia tour. Things did not start well as we arrived over an hour late at 00.30 courtesy of the joke airline known as Ryanair. Having not eaten since Manchester Airport we expected that there would be some cold food left out for our party as is the norm in such cases. The hotel informed that they were unable to provide anything on health grounds despite their being fridges in the rooms. As the hotel has a large footprint with the rooms scattered about the site we were told that golf buggies would be available to take the guests & their luggage to their rooms but these never materialised due to the "late hour". Instead they sent somebody with a torch to escort us as far as the path & were told that our room was "somewhere down there". I would not recommend this hotel to anybody with mobility issues as all room as distant from the main hotel & golf buggies are like hen's teeth. When we got to the room it was very spartan & I've stayed in better Travel Lodge rooms. The following day didn't improve my mood as the dining room was like a cross between a staff canteen & a motorway services. Food was plentiful but like most buffet restaurants not always warm. There are two bars on site & were often closed at the same time during the day with all drinks being served in small plastic tumblers. Being on half board lunch was a problem unless you were prepared to pay 25 Euros for the dubious privilege of eating in the hotel canteen. Fortunately we found a brilliant restaurant nearby that cost about the same for a 2 course meal with drinks. There is also a bar at the beach served by a train from the hotel & worked well until the latter half of the week when the hotel was full of noisy, rude Italians with no concept of queuing which made it like rush hour on the Rome metro. Overall it was not a pleasant stay & would be difficult to recommend.

My daughter and I have just returned from a week’s stay at the Riva Marina Resort in Puglia and I’d like to discourage anyone who’s contemplating visiting this resort, but has not yet booked, to seriously reconsider. This resort is terrible on so many levels. It fell so far short of the four stars that it claims to have been awarded. At best it was a three star. The rooms are very basic to say the least and on the day that we arrived we had to ask them to replace our shower head (which was cracked and spraying water in all directions), plus our telephone, which didn’t work. A runner fell off of the shower cubicle door (it was rotten) and the shower leaked intermittently. We also had to ask someone to show us how to set the safe (which was tiny incidentally – not big enough to hold a tablet) as the instructions left with it related to an entirely different safe. There were no normal sockets, although there were unusual sockets with three vertical holes at each side of the bed and we had to buy special adapters for these from the hotel shop. There was a tiny TV hung just below ceiling level, but only showing Italian programmes. The restaurant was just awful – with tables in rows and very bright lighting – it was no more than a canteen. The food was appalling, with ‘hot’ dishes never more than luke warm and very little variation. There were no labels to indicate what the dishes were, and these were definitely needed as it was very difficult to tell, even after eating them! The wine (which was included in our package of breakfast, dinner and free bar) was on tap, so you can imagine its quality (or lack thereof). There was a pool bar open during the day, but this closed between 1.00pm and 3.00pm, so during those times drinks were not available (even including water). The only other place you could get drinks during this time was in the restaurant (if you went in for lunch). I’m not sure who thought that one up, but it’s the first time I’ve ever encountered a pool bar that closed between those hours (or indeed any times during the hours that the pool was open). I’m not much of a drinker (luckily), but this made no sense to me. On the positive side there was a nice pool, with plenty of sunbeds. This however was ruined by dance music belting out at full volume for many hours of the day. That, together with the two aquarobics sessions daily, where a girl with a head mic shouted at the top of her voice, did not make for a relaxing time around the pool. In fact we weren’t even able to carry out a conversation without significantly raising our voices. There were no beach towels (luckily I knew about this from a TripAdvisor review, so we’d taken our own). One day we went to the pool bar at 12.50 to get a drink before it closed, but they were already shutting the doors. We pleaded with the two female bar staff to let us have a drink (I only wanted water), pointing out that it was only 12.50 and the bar wasn’t supposed to close until 1.00

Overall experience was good, but quite different from other 4 stars villages we have visited in Italy regarding food and services. Food choices were so poor and breakfast was so unhealthy, we got somehow shocked the first day, especially because this is not a cheap village, but almost the same as the Tui Magic Life in Pizzo, Calabria, that is awesome in services and food. 1. No towel service. Bring your own beach towels (maybe it exists by payment, but as long as it’s paid in a AI noone is using it) 2. Cold plates had max. 3 choices. Check pictures. In the morning besides the greatly enjoyed Italian breakfast with brioche and original Nutella (big plus to the hotel for the Nutella) on the salty side there were only screambled or boliled eggs, bacon and a couple of prosciutto choices. 3. During lunch time there were only fruit and one kind of ice cream, a cheapy not worthy to eat one. No desserts whatsoever. Hot plates were served and you had 2 choices: either meat or fish, 2 kinds of pasta and vegetables (one kind each mean, let’s say carrots or patatos). For an AI that’s a very poor selection. 4. You could find desserts during dinner but they were always the same pies. I haven’t seen any cake here in 8 days of our stay that has some cream in it. Only pies or bland sponge cakes. Very boring. 5. There are little cars that workers use to transport sheets in and out the rooms or trash, and they go so speedy that when you have young children like we do, you have to watch out while walking inside the villagge like you’re walking on a car road! 6. During the afternoon pizza is offered, but there’s such a long wait that makes it completely unworthy. On the other side there are some things we liked: 1. As I said food had little selection choices but overall had a good taste, especially pasta and fish. They did do a lot of recycling of the leftovers so you should check to avoid any of that that tastes like oily garbage. 2. Il ristorante “Il pugliese” was good. 3. Staff was very friendly. It has a lot of people working there and most are friendly, I encoutered only two (one waiter named Gabrielle and someone - the young boy not the older one -serving live cook that were quite rude) 4. Coffe was super. 5. All inclusive drinks were great: Spritz, Amaro, limoncello, ecc. All great drinks. …. 6. Last and most important the animation team. If it wasn’t for them, I would have rated the hotel 2. They’re the spirit of the village, night shows were great and very talented people work in there, especially the girl singer that has a breathtaking voice. Un saluto a Ledio capo animatore, troppo coinvolgente nei giochi in piscina e complimenti per l’organizzazione dell’animation team 🇦🇱 Lastly, I had second thoughts for this hotel when booking because there were not enough reviews here on TripAdvisor, so I decided to leave a long feedback in English for foreign travelers that are checking this village for their vacation in hope I can help them out. This is a 99%

We had a week based here, with Mistral Holidays. We were part of a group of 46, and all aged over 60. Having read some very negative reviews prior to travelling, we were pleasantly surprised by the hotel. The rooms were spacious, all individul with a small terrace or garden, and accessed via paths bordered by lovely trees and shrubs. Everywhere was spotlessly clean.the pool was lovely. Considering the catering was for very large numbers, we thought the food was fantastic, especially the cold collation of starters so imaginatively created. The ambience of the dining space did lack atmosphere, but we were all having such a good time we barely noticed. Most of the staff were pleasant and we managed to communicate adequately though not Italian speakers. We were in Italy after all! The hotel is out on a limb so a car necessary. The beach is about a 15 min walk. Very quiet at this time of year but a few restaurants open for a reasonable lunch on the days we weren't on excursions . My only grouse was the use of plastic glasses. I heard this was because there had been an incident in the past where a fight had broken out amongst guests, and glasses broken. I don't think that should justify the use of plastic. Apart from anything else it is just not acceptable ecologically these days. The free drinks were mainly good apart from the still wine which was pretty rough, and no Rose. The gin and tonic, aperol spritz, and Prosecco all good.During our stay a large group of adolescents appeared for a few days. They were so well behaved, and one evening a few of us old codgers got up and danced with them. They didn't seem too embarrassed. As this was a tour guided holiday we were out visiting places on 5 of the 7 days, but our time in resort was very enjoyable. I would certainly stay here again.

During our stay here we were made to feel like second class citizens. I have never in my life stayed anywhere else where the staff have been so unfriendly and unwelcoming. The food was absolutely abysmal with myself only being able to eat cheese and potatoes as a vegetarian. The food was cold for every meal. Although we were all inclusive we were constantly told that we had to drink out of plastic glasses and only paying customers could have a "real" glass.....all inclusive means we have already paid! No entertainment or music during the evenings as it was "out of season" although people were arriving constantly. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone...ever. the most horrendous experience of a holuday

This hotel/resort is in the middle of nowhere. It is more like a holiday camp than the 4* it claims to be. Apart from the receptionists hardly anyone speaks English which makes ordering in the bar or restaurant very difficult. One day they forgot to service our room which incidentally is very basic. The beach is a bit away and has to be accessed by a small train. Food is adequate but unexciting. Lots of tinned fruit which was disappointing. All our fellow travellers were really looking forward to going home! That I think says it all. Very sad.

Our stay at Riva Marina was an absolute delight! With a family of four, including our kids, we enjoyed a week of pure joy. The exceptional cleanliness, captivating playground, lively night events, inviting pool, and delectable dining made our stay truly memorable. The staff's hospitality added that extra touch, making us feel valued. Without a doubt, we're already eager to return for another wonderful experience!

Very good resort in Puglia. My husband and I were there for 3 days and was super impressed with the hospitality and ammenities offered. We we’re checking in late at night and our dinner was arranged in the rooms. On the check out day you could stay in the resort till 5pm and even have lunch. The only thing is that you need to vacate your room by 10am. We enjoyed a lot at the beach and pool area. There was always some activity happening for the guests to participate by the pool. Food was great as well especially dinner time and the pizzas you got in the evening. The staff is really helpful and takes care of all your needs. Overall we spend the entire 3 days in the resort and by the beach and came back with great memories.

Probably fine if Italian but if you’re English, do not go there. Setting fine and lovely enough but they don’t like English and it is so backward. We were unable to get pool towels or cash for swim hats so therefore no pool time. Not many speaks English - problems like broken safe and telephone were not fixed in good time. Most stressful holiday I’ve ever had. Remote so you need a car and the car rental queue at Bari airport was 3 hours -and we were given a car barely road worthy. Room is nice and real shame as looks good but absolutely pointless going if English. You’re not served at the bar or given any service at all unless you’re Italian. British Airways need to take it off the list. I’ve been all over the world in many mid rate hotels this is the only time I’ve felt in need of another holiday.