We have just spent a week at the Rio Calma Hotel in Fuerteventura. It is a beautiful hotel in a lovely setting. The hotel is well maintained, as are the grounds and gardens. Our room was spotlessly clean with sea view. We were on halfboard basis, but all inclusive would have been better as there were no bars or restaurants nearby to go and have a snack or drink, only the hotel facilities. The food in the hotel for breakfast and dinner was buffet and very good. There was an excellent variety of hot and cold food. We found the restaurant staff and bar staff were friendly and helpful.
The pool areas had plenty of sunbeds but a bit crowded. We preferred it down at the lagoon where it was sheltered from the wind and plenty of space. This was probably due to the fact that you had to pay for a sunbed down there (3 euro), but we felt it was worth it. There was a small bar at the lagoon for drinks and snacks.
The only problem we found with the hotel was that it was quite a walk down to Costa Calma and the beach, but we knew it was fairly isolated before we went, and as we only went for the sunshine it suited us fine.

If your going on holiday to do and see nothing then this is the place to go. The hotel is perfect. Great pools, great food and never a shortage of sunbeds. If your looking to do more than lounge by the water getting a tan and going to the spa then this is NOT the place for you. Read reviews about the staff here being grumpy and un-helpful..... must have had different staff to us then as ours were all lovey. Perhaps a bit slow in the dining room but never un-helpful.

Our only disappointment was the "resort" of Costa Calma resort. In retrospect, we perhaps should have realised that a resort geared up for all inclusive or half/full board hotels, would lack amenities - and it certainly did!

Had fond memories of this place after visiting it a couple of years ago. This time around however, we were disappointed!!! Essentially, this was because of:

- Poor customer service. Staff on reception very surly and abrupt. On arrival, we were told that the 'My style' package that we had been sold in the UK was not the package we were on. Thomas Cook agent had queried the package in the UK and even contacted the hotel for clarification of our package and what we were entitled to during our stay. Receptionist simply said she had no record of this and requested proof, which was obviously with Thomas Cook. In essence, it would have been nice it they had of honoured the package that we had been sold.

- Bedroom - dull, tired decor and no sun at all, even though we specifically requested this months prior to booking. Granted, we could have asked to change rooms, but the initial 'greetings' from reception put us both off. Definitely not a superior room though!! In fact, it was more 'inferior' with the fact that the sheets were not changed in 5 days (and were only changed once we made a call to reception); very limited replenishment of soaps, coffees and teas etc, if at all. Rubbish TV with 3 English channels, catering more for the German traveller. Lockable 'safe' was so safe it kept breaking. Had to pay 16 euros for this service and call the maintenance guy out a few times. This delayed plans a couple of times as had to wait up to an hour for it to be repaired.

- Blatantly rude staff members operating the cafe bar. Was both ignored and snapped at by staff members working there and generally made to feel unwelcome, all because i approached them a couple of times. I felt I was very polite. The response I got was very different. Couldn't make sense of this, but did spoil the experience. Real shame as the cafe bar has a lovely setting, overlooking the sea! We did not eat there again because the staff and service was so poor.

Food - well my mum and I re-booked this hotel on the basis that our memory of the food was a positive one! This time, it wasn't. Fish - overcooked and tasteless! Salad bar - pretty random combinations... Meat - generally tough. Vegetables - a few canned varieties, and desert was pretty much the same every night - not very inspiring and very creamy!! There is a good selection of food and you can always find something to eat, but it was not something I looked forward to at the end of the day... It was just OK.

In terms of the positives, the hotel's grounds are lovely - I like the location even though it is a little out of it, I don't mind the walk to the beach. The beaches are lovely along that way and the pools are lovely although a little cold April time. The spa is nice and the massage ladies are lovely (it's not cheap though) although spa was a little cold actually (water temp) which was a shame as some of the facilities are good - but cool water spoilt this experience. There are a few people that work at the hotel that are lovely and warm and smiley, but these really are a few. There seemed to be a weird atmosphere in general and upon speaking with other guests, we realised it was not just ourselves that felt this.

I definitely wouldn't return there again!!!! I'd rather stay further along the beach, but I've decided that Costa Calma is pretty dull if am honest so I wouldn't even be bothered about venturing there again. Not really much to explore in the way of nice eateries and shops. You are literally going for the beach and coastline, which is beautiful but the land in general is pretty barren and I'd rather visit one of the other canaries in future.

This is a terrific hotel and have very little to add as most of the recent reviews are spot on.

The hotel grounds, pools and food were terrific. We experienced no problems with grumpy staff - they aren't particularly effusive but weren't rude either.

Our only disappointment was the "resort" of Costa Calma resort. In retrospect, we perhaps should have realised that a resort geared up for all inclusive or half/full board hotels, would lack amenities - and it certainly did!

We found one bar which was OK and ended up having our early evening drink there every day which was fine for a week. Personally, we do like to "get out and about" and have a stroll, mooch amongst the gift shops, maybe go for a coffee/liquer and watch the "promenading" by the locals and visitors etc. Although we were half board, we had assumed that on one or two occasions, we would forego the evening meal, and eat out in town. This was sadly not possible. There was a convenient supermarket close by which was useful for the odd item.

For the majority of visitors to the Rio Calma (who didn't have a hire car), I don't think many left the hotel complex so for them this would not be an issue. I can only talk about our personal preferences.

Would we return to the Rio Calma, given the lack of resort? - most definitely. It hits the mark for a perfect beach getaway and we are already considering a return!

Enjoy!