Rio Piedras

[stu1]

Just trying to find out which tour company/s deal with this hotel... we stayed there in oct 04 and were gonna stay there 05 but ended up elswhere in rico........anyhow we def wanna stay there 06 but cannot seem to find out which company, i have tried availability on a site but any dates i enter come up with no availability, anybody got any clues-------------by the way the Rio Piedras is situated near the rico beach kinda on the bottom road alnog from el greco(as if u were walking towards C.C):boozy:

[Stephen]

Just trying to find out which tour company/s deal with this hotel... we stayed there in oct 04 and were gonna stay there 05 but ended up elswhere in rico........anyhow we def wanna stay there 06 but cannot seem to find out which company, i have tried availability on a site but any dates i enter come up with no availability, anybody got any clues-------------by the way the Rio Piedras is situated near the rico beach kinda on the bottom road alnog from el greco(as if u were walking towards C.C):boozy:


Its with exclipse direct mate , www.exclipsedirect.co.uk and also first choice

[chezabelle]

Hi, in reply to your thread, we stayed there (rio piedras) in 2003 and got the holiday from the Holiday Hypermarket (first choice). Not sure whether they still deal with that hotel but its worth a shot cos its lovely there. We are actually going back to PR in september this year but we are staying at Colina Mar. Thats why Im on here trying to find out what it is like. Good Luck!!!! If you can't book with an agency then I know the hotel does it direct and then you just get your own flights etc.

[stu1]

Hi, in reply to your thread, we stayed there (rio piedras) in 2003 and got the holiday from the Holiday Hypermarket (first choice). Not sure whether they still deal with that hotel but its worth a shot cos its lovely there. We are actually going back to PR in september this year but we are staying at Colina Mar. Thats why Im on here trying to find out what it is like. Good Luck!!!! If you can't book with an agency then I know the hotel does it direct and then you just get your own flights etc.

stayed at the colina mar 3 years ago, rooms were like the normal standard, clean, tidy, some rooms have a better view but its a fairly large complex and we thoroughly enjoyed it in there, we were also in rio piedras in 03 in oct tho

[Factor25]

Ive got their phone number and was thinking of booking directly for a week from 9 October. Alpharooms are showing no rooms available and the only other option eclipsedirect/first choice are a bit pricey with bad flight times. Ive already found good flights, just wondered if anyone's done this and could advise me.

[lancashire lass]

any one been to these apartments recently?wanting to know whats in them and do they have a big balcony as i have read on other reviews? going here cause first choice botched our holiday in kefalonia - they havent finished building the hotel yet! been to gran canaria twice and loved it. glad we are going back, but we were allocated these because of the mess with first choice. thanks
:thankyou:

[Suzi]

FC didn't botch your holiday - the developers/builders did by not being ready on time :sadguy:

Not all of them have big balconies, those on first and second and perhaps third don't. You have to request them. They're generally further up.

[lancashire lass]

fc did, by keeping us hanging on for months. telling us the build was 6 weeks ahead and then only waiting until the night before it was shown on the tv, to tell us they have cancelled the years bookings. we booked 12 months in advance and at short notice expected to find something else so near to departure. offered £150 towards the costs!!! the company will never be my first choice again.:angryfire:

[stu1]

Hi Lancashire Lass, stayed in these apartments in 2004, we were on the 5th level and we had a massive balcony/terrace area. dont really get a sea view lower down but the rooms make up for it. very clean and all mod cons. Right close to the beach and just about right from the C.C. Pool area was excellant with tremendous views, we are booked up to stay in them end of oct this year again as had to stay elswhere in PR last year.
We loved them

[jesse101]

Hi lancashire lass,i have stayed at the rio piedras before lovely apartments with an excellent pool area on top of the building with a nice restaurant/snack bar open all day.we were so pleased with them that we booked them for the 29th may 2006. But we received a letter of fc saying due to extensive building work taking place between 01 may 2006 to 01 july 2006 they found us alternative accommodation which is the El Creco in which i am happy with as we have stayed there before.

[lancashire lass]

hi. thanks for the info so far.
not impressed about the building work. we have been messed about so much already by first choice, that if we get there and building work is still on going i will go mental! would appreciate an update of buiding work if any one goes. i find it very hard to level with a holiday company that takes your money and then misinforms you. :glare:

[rab_c.]

rio pedras was a building site just last week extensive work going on but looking like it badly needed rejuvenated.
rab_c.

[stu1]

is it to all rooms as i thought most were done 2 years back----reckon they should be done by time we go end oct-oh by the way lancashire lass---theres building work going on most places and surrounding areas, it has never inconvenienced our holidays- the sun will be shining and there will be plenty going on to even notice :dry:

[rab_c.]

hi apologies
regards my last post on the rio pedras i have had a few enquiries regards the situation.
reading back on my post it seems to come over in a kind of nasty way which was not intended.
work is more or less all internal top level at the amadores road end steps to top reception and swimming pool end plus high level bedrooms
i could not take any photos because of this due to h/s reasons as i could not get access but!! the work is well on. the external of the hotel looks really lovely at the bottom just along from the el greco but when you go up the small incline to the lower reception there is work going on in that area, also up in restaraunt but i will say this i would def stay there and as stu says lovely views from the pool area hope to get pics the next time as its a very good area with the elavator taking you down to more or less the el greco level and across to the beach spoke with a worker and he said that it would be around 4-5 weeks to they were finished and wheel barrows galore but!!!!! there was work going on in at least 50% of apts in pr when we were over and the full front of the puerto azul was bulldozed up. even shorties beloved aqaucanis was closed and being completely refurbished at the end of the day this is for you the holiday makers comfort. puerto plata was the same but it had guests lying in dust at the poolside as the pool bar restaraunt was completely being restructured and it may show on my pics of these apts when i put them onsite the dust that was lying about

regards earliers comments on f/c we travel with them every year and whilst i cannot comment on kefalonia i can speak on pr. last year the el greco had work going on in it and guests were then put in the marina suites this year the aquacanis is being renovated and again guests were upgraded to the marina suites also the guests that were booked for the rio pedras were put up in the el greco and some in the marina suites so f/c try and ensure the comfort of their customers whenever possible rather than leave them to put up with dust and noise as some companies do. i am not being bias only reporting on what i have come across and anybody going to the rio pedras from july onwards will be sure to be staying in comfortable surroundings. think its july it reopens someone may correct me on this if i am wrong.
ps. i spend about a week walking all over pr on my hols and do not miss very much including all the road and pavement works but hey!!! i still enjoy my beloved pr.
rab_c.

[lancashire lass]

Thanks to everyone that replied about the rio piedras. any one been recently to gran canaria and seen the apartments? we had to pay our money on friday and they said nothing about the building works that were going on. i was insistant that they tell me now because if i get moved when i am there i wont be a very happy person!:veryangry: She wouldnt confirm it in writing so i just have to keep fingers crossed all is ok when we go on the 23rd july.
love to hear from anyone who has just come back from there or been moved to somewhere else because of the work. Thanks

[Plantfish]

So i'll let you no the state of the Gaff

[lancashire lass]

:rose: :rose: thank you so much!will value your opinion greatly.

[rumncoke]

OH, No. we're also going on July 1st - don't want to be in a building site if we can help it, would also appreciate any info.:dry:

[jesse101]

Hi rumncoke me and my family have just returned from puerto rico we booked to stay in the rio piedras but was up graded to the el creco due to the building work which should be finished by the 1st of july as i had quoted in a letter of first choice.I visited the rio piedras while in pr and it is completely closed so if building work is still going on i,m sure you will be up graded as we were.

[rumncoke]

Oooh, that's a tad worrying, but I guess it'll be OK, we've not had any letters about it, we are travelling with Eclipse holidays. Is the El Greco OK, is it close to the Rio Piedras? Can't complain I suppose if the alternative accommodation is as good or better!

Thanks for your help Jesse101.

[rab_c.]

basically speaking the el greco sits just to the right of the rio pedras as you look seawards from them but on the frontline for the beach.
but to be honest having seen the work being done myself on the rio pedras they should be more or less complte by now and just working on the final touches.
one good thing about eclipse and first choice is if they have to relocate you then you do get an upgrade so i would not worry too much one way or another as you will be looked after.
rab_c.

[step]

Been talking via messenger to one of the receptionists at the Rio Piedras today and he says that it is his first day back at work so they must be finished the building work and have re-opened. We have stayed there 11 times and have always considered it very good value - close to the beach etc. Unfortunately, we have not always been able to book there as we go in the school holidays at Easter and October and it is then still the Scandanavian season and as we we book directly with the apartments and not through a travel agent, they don't always have any rooms left. However, thanks to Owen, we have also stayed at the Marina suites which is lovely

[rumncoke]

Thanks for that Step, just in time for our arrival on Saturday. Will post back on my return,hopefully to report on some nice newly refurbished apartments at the Rio Piedras, roll on the weekend:banana:

[step]

Enjoy. and send my regards to Alfred on reception he'll know me as Steve Wenlock.
Wish I was you!!

[Plantfish]

Apartments where great, had everything you could wish for, lovely pool bar and pool. No complaints about the quality of apartments whatsoever. The staff though where unbelievable unfriendly towards us and other young groups, we where a group if 6 lads and not rowdy lads just normal lads 21-26 years of age who sit round the pool with a hangover.

So I do not recommend these apartments if you are a group of lads or girls, they don't even let you play with an inflatable ball in the pool EH? what was that all about? not as if it was going to hurt anyone and also it was dead quiet so know one would have minded.

Puerto Rico is great though - had a fantastic time - apologies to all the people that went of the dolphin & Whale trip, - four of us was puking all day :wacko:

[lancashire lass]

:rose: THANKS "PLANTFISH"
glad to hear you had a good time. shame about the boat trip!:boozy:
less than two weeks now for us and counting! my little boy will be gutted about no balls in the pool:blush: oh er missus!
you know what i mean!?!?!
what room where you in and have the balconies got sun loungers as i have read some where else? sorry just being nosey!

[Plantfish]

We had 906 & 903 which was ideal as they are only 1 flight of steps from the pool.

Every balcony was really big and had 3 sunbeds.

:nodding:

[rumncoke]

Probably saw you at the welcome meeting Plantfish! There wasn't many of us there though as we were the first ones there after refurbishment so agree that it was very quiet though it began to fill up during our second week.

Don't see why you were not allowed a ball in the pool, my son had one huge inflatable ring and a lilo and nobody complained.

The balcony was HUGE, we had 6 sunbeds, 6 chairs and a large table plus one fantastic view of PR beach and practically the whole town, inside was also spacious and clean. The staff were helpful and friendly and speak good english.

I don't think you will be disappointed Lancashire Lass. i would be surprised if you weren't happy with these apartments.Everything is in walking distance apart from the Europa Centre which is easily reached by taxi.

A few minutes to the beach & marina's, a few more to the Commercial centre and all PR' s attractions.:have-fun:

[lancashire lass]

Thanks so much rumncoke. hope you had a fab holiday. looking forward to ours now. just the packin and cleaning to do etc...........! Sounds like they are in a really good location, close to most things. looking forward to a trip to Morgan - we usually have a huge ice cream near the boats and it melts before we can finish it! Thanks to everyone for their replies.:)

[step]

Hey Rumncoke. Glad to see you had a good holiday at the Rio Piedras said you would. You should now try the Marina Suites and then be like us - find it difficult to decide which apartment complex you prefer!!

[rumncoke]

HI Step,yes the Marina aparts look nice too & haven't heard anything bad about them either.You must really love PR if you've been to the Rio Piedras 11 times & the Marina suites too, must feel like a second home to you now! I wouldn't rule out going back there sometime myself, lots to do, especially in the evenings, cheap food & drink and friendly people too, wish I was still there .........

[step]

You've guessed it Rumncoke - it's like a second home to us. We went at Easter and are going back (booked the Marina suites through Owen) in October - we love the place and have made quite a few friends there

[lancashire lass]

hi! we came back on monday and had a fab time! Weather fab in the 30s all week. Enjoyed a great day at the water park in PR. It was big enough for us and the price wasnt dear either. We spent from 10 till 5.30 and didnt want to leave! The rio was great. Rooms basic but had everything you needed. Balconies HUGE and great views. We were in 504. Cleaned daily except sun and tues and they were really nice. Only thing i can complain of is the sofa. It was awful to sleep on! My son nabbed my bed and i ended up bringing a sun lounger in. I wished we would have asked for a fold up bed as they have them. But, great time had all round. I want to go back next year. Infact tomorrow would be great. i miss the place and the cheap beer in the cafe sol down the road, 2 pints of magners for 5 euros! great place for beer and cheap food. Highly reccomended. Please take me back.:cry: We have photos of the apt if any one is interested. I think the refurb was painting as our room didnt look updated.

[lancashire lass]

hi everyone!Sorry to be a pain! We are looking to book again :packed: for next year and i have just noticed they do two bedroom apts. Has anyone stayed in these and what number are they? I would say the higher up you are the better views. hope they are high up. thanks in advance:rose:

[rab_c.]

thanks to the lovely lancashire lass http://rab.c.fotopic.net/p32777292.html
I now have a few photos of a room in the rio pedras which will be viewable just shortly and hope to add further pics soon
rab_c.

[morticus]

Hi , Returned from Rio Piedras on 20th August , we had the best apt there it was a 2 bed no : 1001 , right on the pool level , 5 steps out the door right on to a sunbed !! It had a big balcolny looking out to the sea and the public pool , if your going to go next year try for this one , the only downside was gettiing our cases from the lift up to the room but it was worth it , we all had a great time , harbour lights just up from cafe sol was good and also Bubbles restaurant in the commercial centre has really nice food and friendly staff.
Happy Booking for o7 , Cheers Colin.

[lancashire lass]

Morticus- thanks for your reply about the rooms. Know the room you mean! Spot on! Next to the pool! Well, we have booked for 2007! Cant wait! Mum and dad arent coming with us , so we have asked for the same room. Will ring them nearer the time and hopefully we will get it. Going end of june, so hoping weather will be ok then and just as warm.Just having a drink now to celebrate we are going back!:boozy:

[edgey]

hi there i am booked into these apartments in july and wondered if anyone has stayed there recently, whats the best level to be on for the pool and views and which ones have the best balconies and info will be very appreciated :nodding: only 175 days and counting:banana:

[lancashire lass]

hi. went there last july and going back in june!! excellent place. posted some pics on this site too of accomodation. balconies are all huge. best floor for pool is actually on the pool floor! there are two rooms i think up there., but there are lifts up to floor 7 and then stairs to floor 9 which is pool. we were on 5. balcony massive, great views and we are going to ask for same one again. any more queries please ask away! you will love it! not much going on but close enough to everything else.
:packed: bags are packed!!!

[edgey]

:thumb: thankyou for the info do you have email for them might ask for floor 5 we wanted to go in june but going with friends and they had holiday for july just longer to wait, went to puerto rico in june 2005 and stayed at the arizona well what can i say about them but nice to hear that rio is a nice place thankyou

[lancashire lass]

hi. sent you a pm with my email address. in case you dont get it take a look on ere. my pics have been uploaded by rab. the site is great.
www.rab.c.fotopic.net (http://www.rab.c.fotopic.net/)

[southstand]

Hi Lanc'Lass, do you have their email, greatly appreciated if you can post it. Thanks

[lancashire lass]

sorry. :no: dont have their email address. been looking for it but can only find a phone number. been searching for a while so if you find it before me - please post

[edgey]

hi lancashire lass, sorry to be a pain but been looking at site and reading about break ins, how was security at the rio and were there any problems with break ins, i know it can happen anywhere and you have to be careful about not leaving things/money on view but its nice to ask someone who has stayed there and i reckon if someone is going back to the same place it must be ok :have-fun:

[lancashire lass]

we never had a problem with break ins. found security very good. you do have safes in your apt and the reception staff were there all the time.