Sivan Narayana
We recently completed a stay at the HL Rio Playa Blanca and found it to be an exceptional value for the price. The overall experience exceeded our expectations, offering high-quality amenities and service within a reasonable budget.
Accommodation & Housekeeping
Our suite was well-appointed and featured a unique open-air shower, which was a standout highlight. The room was consistently clean and tidy. We were particularly impressed by our housekeeper,
who added a thoughtful touch by redecorating the room every other day. While we noticed a few minor maintenance details, they were negligible in the context of the overall excellent service and did not detract from our stay.
Dining & Refreshments
The culinary offering was impressive, particularly the breakfast service. The live omelette station was a personal favourite, complemented by a wide selection of fresh fruits, cakes, and ice cream.
The dining area was well-managed and kept clean. Additionally, having access to tea, coffee, and soft drinks throughout the day was a very convenient feature.
Facilities & Entertainment
The pool area was excellent and maintained at a comfortable temperature, providing a cozy atmosphere even during longer swims.
The evening entertainment was of a high standard, with the fire show being a particular highlight of our visit. For those traveling with a vehicle, the ample on-site parking made logistics very simple.
Service & Atmosphere
The reception team was professional and helpful, addressing all our inquiries promptly. The hotel’s "nature-focused" ambiance and the fresh coastal breeze created a truly relaxing and refreshing environment.
Conclusion
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at HL Rio Playa Blanca. For travellers looking for a balanced mix of quality service, great food, and a beautiful setting in Playa Blanca, we highly recommend this hotel.
Ellie
The hotel was perfect for us! The rooms were clean and spacious and the little terrace we had was lovely. The pool and sun loungers were great and easy to get to each day! The food choice was plentiful and very good for a buffet! Some things they cooked could be better but there was always something we loved and the dinner was always amazing. But what really made our holiday was the animation team, they were FANTASTIC. Every single one of them. They were so energetic, so happy, and made everyone feel welcome - we really loved them! They got us doing so many fun activities, meeting new people and making everyone have a laugh! It was the perfect holiday.
Jonathan Burke
Hotel - see Google maps, about 20 mins walk to Playa Blanca sea front. The hotel itself is very large, and based on idividual bungalow premises with a veranda. Walls are thin, so its easy to hear those next door!
Rooms benefit from air con.
1st complaint. Our room wasnt cleaned for 4 days, even though we complained, but we eventually received an apology and had our towels changed. We did find a live cock roach in our room and a spider or two.
2nd complaint -Outside our room was a open sewage drain that was pumping in water, and absolutely stunk of sewage. Nothing was done despite complaining!!
Food - was generally good, but appeared the same food every day, for every meal, and was disappointing.
Pools - Were busy with the usual 'towel on beds' issue. There was plenty of space though and no real need for it. We used the large pool (not main pool), and was much quieter, but a 2 min walk to the pool bar.
Drinks - Take your own plastic cup! (pint size), because they user small cardboard 'Pepsi' cups for all types of drinks (awful).
The place appears to be dated and requires renovation in parts.
Entertainment- The staff worked hard and tried their best to appease holiday makers. The shows were 'alright', but nothing special!
Overall - Score 3/5 . Value for mone, but this hotel could be so much better. If I paid more then I would have been disappointed.
Would I go back? I think I would rather pay more for better quality, but like I said, it was cheap, so not that disapointed.
Kim W
Stayed in October 2025
We were there for 3 nights and 4 days. Happy that they let us check in early however the lift didn't work for the time we was there.
Food was OK for someone that eats everything, however mostly repetitive. As a vegetarian, was annoying to see other guests AND staff mixing utensils; for example using the same utensil for the meat pizza on the vegetarian pizza. Picking up chips with the chicken utensils (member of staff). I'm sure there was other things that I didn't see, which really unsettled me. We tried the Italian a la carte which was pretty basic all round, including service. Its safe to say I didn't eat much.
Rooms are just about OK. Very basic. Bed sheets had holes and rips in.
Pool area could be better. Lots of broken tiles around pool. Splash park is well used but needs updating. Water is murky. The stagnant water in the slides also needs addressing. It also often smelt of egg. There was lots of green, what seemed like mould around, which also needs addressing.
Entertainment team are good. They bring lots of energy and get everyone involved. My nearly 2 year old loved the mini disco.
Location is good. 10 mins walk to beach which we enjoyed. Would go every morning after breakfast and come back to hotel for lunch.
I won't be returning to this hotel
Catalin Mihaiu
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5 — not a true 4-star experience)
After staying at HL Rio Playa Blanca, I genuinely don’t understand how this hotel is classed as a 4-star. In my opinion, it feels much closer to 2.5 stars at best.
Food & Dining — Edible but disappointing
The food is edible, but that’s really the best I can say. Most dishes were cold, lacked variety, and felt very repetitive. For a hotel advertising itself at this standard, I expected at least consistently hot meals and a bit more effort with the options.
Rooms — Spacious but neglected
The rooms are large, which is a positive, but they desperately need some TLC and a proper deep clean. There’s a general feeling of the rooms being dated and poorly maintained, which takes away from what could otherwise be comfortable accommodation.
Internet & Technology — Shockingly poor for 2025
The internet connection is unbelievably bad — almost unusable at times. In 2025, this is mind-blowing, especially from a hotel group of this size.
To make things worse, the room had two old smart TVs that constantly restarted every 5 minutes. The remote control was damaged, and only half the buttons worked. It honestly feels like the hotel hasn’t invested in technology for a decade. I can’t understand why they don’t replace the TVs or upgrade the WiFi — both are basic expectations nowadays.
Overall
There are some positives such as the spacious rooms and decent layout of the resort, but the lack of maintenance, poor food standards, and outdated technology really overshadow everything else.
HL Rio Playa Blanca has potential, but right now it does not deliver anywhere near a 4-star experience. A few key upgrades and deeper attention to detail could make a big difference, but until then, it’s far from what you’d expect for the price and rating.