Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Review With Kids: What We Loved (& What We'd Change)

Choosing between a resort-style stay and a beachfront base is one of the trickiest calls when planning a Costa del Sol family holiday. We stayed at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol in Torremolinos for a couple of days in October half term to find out how it performs with children.

This review covers the family rooms, food, pools, location and whether we'd stay again, so you can decide if it suits your trip. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places we've personally stayed.

Quick Answer: Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Good for Families?

Yes, but I think it depends on your kids age.

Hotel Riu Costa del Sol is an all-inclusive right on the promenade in Torremolinos, just minutes from Malaga Airport. It works well for families wanting a hassle-free beachfront base with plenty of pools and an easy transfer.

What worked well: the location is genuinely excellent, the all-inclusive setup is generous with food and drinks available throughout the day, and there are three outdoor pools plus an indoor pool. There's also a kids' club and a splash area for younger children.

What didn't: the food and drinks were fairly basic, the main pool felt relatively small for the size of the hotel, the advertised "water park" was really more of a splash area for younger kids, and the entertainment was clearly aimed at a much younger audience.

If Hotel Riu Costa del Sol sounds like it might suit your family, it's worth taking a closer look at the room types and facilities to see whether it fits the kind of holiday you're planning.

Would we return? Probably not. We enjoyed our short stay, but now Joshua is older we'd want a bit more from a hotel. We also visited in October, when the pool was just about warm enough but only really on the warmer days.

If you're weighing up the timing of your trip, see Spain in October Half Term With Kids: Is It Worth It? for more on what to expect from the weather.

What You'll Find in This Guide

• Quick answer: is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol good for families?

• Why we chose it and who it suits best

• Family rooms: space, layout, noise and practicality

• Food and drink: buffet quality, kids' options and the all-inclusive offering

• Pools: what's available and the truth about the "water park"

• Entertainment and kids' club: what's on offer and the best age range

• The beach: access, facilities and what to expect

• Gym, spa and fitness: facilities for parents

• Location: beach access, transport links and day trips

• Our honest verdict: what we loved, what we'd change and whether we'd return

• FAQs: the practical questions families ask most

Why We Chose Hotel Riu Costa del Sol

We were looking for a straightforward, beachfront all-inclusive with good reviews for families.

The location was the biggest draw. The hotel sits directly on the promenade in Torremolinos, with beach access right outside and the seafront walkway leading towards Carihuela and Benalmádena.

Brand familiarity also played a part. RIU is a known quantity, and so we felt we would know largely what to expect.

The all-inclusive board basis was important with a child in tow, Joshua was 8 years old when we visited. Not having to think about lunch, snacks or drinks genuinely reduces the mental load on a family holiday.

Finally, the family facilities ticked the boxes: multiple pools, a children's pool, a kids' club and free water park access.

First Impressions

Arrival was refreshingly easy. The hotel is roughly 7 to 11 minutes from Malaga Airport by car, which is about as convenient as it gets on the Costa del Sol. We had a car so it was a plus that the hotel had parking, during our visit parking was free.

Although the hotel is described as large, with around 600+ rooms, I would consider it relatively small. This made it easy to navigate and you were never far from where you wanted to be. The layout is relatively straightforward though, with pools, restaurants and bars clustered around the central areas.

Cleanliness was a genuine strength, our first impressions were good and we had no issues during our stay.

What Are the Family Rooms Like at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol?

If you're wondering whether the family rooms at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol are big enough for your family, here's our honest experience.

Room Layout and Space

We stayed in a family room consisting of one large double bed and a sofa bed. Space was fairly limited, and it's clear the expectation is that you won't spend much time in your room. It's practical rather than spacious, essentially somewhere comfortable to bed down for the night after a busy day.

If you're looking for a hotel with generous, separate living space, this isn't it. That said, for a typical beach holiday where you're out most of the day, it does the job.

Bathroom Facilities

The bathroom was practical rather than luxurious. We had a walk-in shower with a separate toilet, along with a hairdryer and towels provided. Everything was clean and functional, which is really what you need on a family holiday.

Balcony and Views

Our room had a decent-sized balcony overlooking the pool area, which was a lovely spot for a drink once our son had gone to bed. Balconies are standard across the room types, and if you can stretch to a sea view room, it's worth considering.

Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Noisy?

This was my biggest concern before arriving, as it's a large hotel with an active entertainment programme.

In reality, we had no issues with noise whatsoever. Our room was tucked away towards the far end of the hotel, well away from the entertainment areas, and we all slept perfectly well. If noise is a concern for you, it's worth requesting a room away from the main pool and stage area when booking.

Are the Rooms Practical for Families?

Overall, yes. Cots are available free of charge, rooms come with a safe, and there are tea and coffee making facilities, which are always handy with children.

What you won't get is the separate lounge space offered by some larger family suites elsewhere on the Costa del Sol. If having a separate area for parents in the evening is important to you, it's worth comparing alternatives in our guide to the Best Family Hotels Near Malaga: Where We'd Stay Again (And Where We'd Skip).

Balcony View

Standard Family Room

Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Food and Drink Review

Food at RIU Costa del Sol is generous rather than gourmet. There's plenty of it, and you certainly won't go hungry, but don't expect anything particularly refined.

Restaurants and All-Inclusive Dining

The hotel has three restaurants and five bars, including the main buffet at Ajoblanco, an Italian restaurant and an Andalusian restaurant. The speciality restaurants can be booked via the RIU app, which is worth doing early in your stay to secure a decent time slot.

Is the Food Good for Kids?

Children's choices are plentiful. The buffet reliably offers pasta, pizza, chips, fresh fruit, salad and desserts alongside the main hot dishes, so even the fussiest eaters won't go hungry. For families, this was one of the hotel's strongest points.

What Are the Drinks Like at RIU Costa del Sol?

Where I was more disappointed was the drinks offering. There's a decent range of cocktails on the menu, but they weren't very good. Everything seemed to be made from pre-mixes and the spirits were noticeably cheap quality. If a proper cocktail by the pool is part of your all-inclusive experience, this may be a letdown.

Were There Long Queues?

On the plus side, queues were generally manageable throughout our stay and we never waited long to be served at the bar or in the buffet restaurant.

Bar & Cocktail Menu

Breakfast buffet

What Are the Pools Like at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol?

This is one of the most common questions families ask, so let's get straight into it.

The hotel has three outdoor pools plus an indoor pool, along with a dedicated children's pool and what's advertised as "free water park access". Pool towels were also free and readily available.

Is There an Indoor Pool?

Yes, and this was genuinely one of the biggest advantages of our stay. Having an indoor heated pool is invaluable if you're visiting outside peak summer, as we did in October half term. When the weather turned or the outdoor pools felt too cool, it meant our son could still swim.

If you're planning an autumn, winter or early spring trip, I'd rate this as one of the hotel's strongest selling points.

Does Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Have a Water Park?

This is where I have to be honest, because the marketing is misleading.

The advertised "water park" is, in reality, a small pirate ship splash park. I actually questioned this with staff, who confirmed that yes, the small splash park is the water park referred to in the hotel's description.

Perhaps something was lost in translation, but by any reasonable definition it's a children's splash area rather than a water park. There are no slides or attractions of the kind you'd find at a genuine family water park hotel.

This is a big part of why I'd say the hotel works best for families with younger children. Toddlers and pre-schoolers will love the splash park. Older children hoping for slides are likely to be disappointed.

If a proper water park is high on your family's wish list, I'd look elsewhere. For a direct comparison with a hotel that genuinely delivers on water facilities, see Holiday World Polynesia vs Hotel Riu Costa del Sol: Which Is Better for Families?, where I break down exactly how the two compare for families with older children.

Sunbeds and Shade

Sunbeds were plentiful, and we never had a single issue finding one, even later in the morning. That said, we visited during October half term rather than peak summer, so availability may well be tighter in July and August.

Shade is readily available via pool umbrellas dotted around the pool areas, which is useful with children.

Our Verdict on the Pools

Overall, the pools were a strong point. Having multiple pools to choose from meant each one stayed relatively quiet, giving us options depending on the weather and how busy things felt.

Just go in with realistic expectations about the "water park", and you won't be disappointed.

Waterpark ...??

Pool Area

Entertainment and Kids' Club at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol

Is There a Kids' Club at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol?

Yes. The hotel runs RIU Land, which caters for children aged 4 to 12 years old, with daily activities and a mini disco in the evenings.

Joshua enjoyed it, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. That said, I'd be honest and say it works best for younger children, particularly those under 8. The activities tend to be pitched at the lower end of that age range, so older kids may find it a little young.

The programme typically includes games like darts, shuffleboard, giant Jenga and water polo for the older group, with the mini disco being a firm favourite each evening.

One thing worth noting is that the kids' club can be staff-dependent and seasonal, however we found this running consistently during our October visit.

What Is the Evening Entertainment Like?

The hotel has a proper evening entertainment programme with live music, quiz nights and professional shows on the main stage.

We found it perfectly pleasant but, again, quite family-focused and aimed at a younger crowd. Themed nights, like ABBA evening were probably the most fun of what was on offer.

If you're expecting sophisticated, high-production entertainment, this probably isn't it. But for a relaxed evening with young children, it does the job nicely.

Our Honest Verdict on the Entertainment

Overall, we found the entertainment a bit young for our tastes, but genuinely good for families with pre-school and primary-aged children.

If your kids are under 8, they'll likely love the kids' club, splash park and mini disco. If they're older, tweens or teens, you may find the on-site entertainment doesn't hold their attention for a full week.

What to Do Outside the Hotel

This is where the location really works in your favour. The hotel is well placed for exploring, with excellent train links from nearby La Colina station.

If you're wondering what there is to do beyond the resort, we've broken down our favourite excursions, including Gibraltar, Ronda, Caminito del Rey and canyoning in Benahavís, in our guide to The Best Family Day Trips From Malaga.

For older children especially, mixing a few day trips into your week makes a huge difference and helps balance out the more toddler-focused hotel entertainment.

Kids Club

Evening Kids Entertainment

The Beach at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol: What to Expect

For many families, beach access is the deciding factor when choosing a hotel, so let's cover exactly what you get here.

Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Directly on the Beach?

Yes. The hotel enjoys a genuine beachfront location on the Torremolinos promenade, sitting just metres from the sand. RIU describes the property as being around 50 metres from the beach, which felt about right.

The only practical thing worth knowing is that you do need to cross a road to reach it.

What Are the Beaches Like?

The beach was generally lovely and surprisingly quiet when we popped across to explore, though I'm sure it gets much busier during the summer months. The promenade is lined with palm trees, which gives it a really lovely tropical feel.

We dipped our toes in the sea and found it quite chilly, so we decided not to brave it on this occasion.

One thing worth noting is that the hotel doesn't have a dedicated beach area, so if you want to spend the day down there, you'll need to factor in the extra cost of hiring sunbeds.

Is There a Gym or Fitness Classes at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol?

There's more on offer during the day than we initially expected. The hotel runs the RiuFit programme, which includes:

• Aqua aerobics

• Zumba

• Yoga

• Stretching classes

• Salsa lessons

• Beach volleyball on Playamar Beach

There's also a fitness room, a spa with indoor heated pool and steam bath, and bike hire available nearby if you fancy exploring the promenade on two wheels.

I found the RiuFit classes a nice addition, and the salsa lessons in particular are a fun way to spend an hour while the kids are occupied.

Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Location: Is It a Good Base for Families?

In my view, the location is the single best reason to book this hotel.

What's Nearby?

The hotel sits directly on the beachfront along the Torremolinos promenade, just a short walk from Los Álamos Beach and around 15 minutes on foot from the ever-popular Carihuela Beach.

The promenade itself is flat, pushchair-friendly and lined with restaurants and cafés, making it ideal for families who want to stroll out for dinner or ice cream without needing transport.

How Easy Is It to Explore Torremolinos and Beyond?

Very easy, and this is where the hotel really shines for families.

La Colina train station is close by, and the Cercanías C1 line connects Torremolinos directly with Malaga city, the airport and Fuengirola.

It's also an easy way to reach Benalmádena's street market, which many families find calmer and more manageable than the larger Fuengirola market.

If you fancy a change of scene, Benalmádena Puerto Marina is roughly 6km away, around 9 minutes by taxi or easily reachable by bus and train.

Do You Need a Car at Hotel Riu Costa del Sol?

I think this really depends, probably not for a summer resort-based holiday. The train and bus links along the Costa del Sol are excellent, and you can comfortably reach the beach, local towns and Malaga city without one.

However, if you're planning day trips to Ronda, Caminito del Rey or Benahavís, a car makes life significantly easier and gives you far more flexibility. I've covered this fully in Do You Need a Car in Malaga With Kids? Our Honest Verdict After Visiting.

How Far Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol From Malaga Airport?

Airport access is exceptional.

It's around 7 to 11 minutes by car, or approximately 21 minutes by train from Málaga-Aeropuerto, costing just €1 to €2 per person.

For families arriving with tired children after a flight, this short transfer is a genuine bonus and one of the hotel's biggest practical advantages.

Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol Near Malaga City Centre?

Not directly, but it's extremely well connected.

The hotel is located in Torremolinos, around 15km from Malaga city centre, which works out at roughly 20 minutes by car or 25 to 30 minutes on the Cercanías C1 train from nearby La Colina station.

For families, the train is easily the best option if you don't have a car. It's cheap, runs regularly and drops you right in the heart of the city, avoiding the hassle and expense of parking in Malaga.

Malaga city makes an excellent day trip from the hotel. There's the Alcazaba fortress, the cathedral, Picasso Museum, plenty of family-friendly restaurants and the lovely Muelle Uno waterfront area.

One of our personal highlights was exploring the city by Segway, which turned out to be a brilliant way to see the main sights without tiring little legs. If you're curious whether it's suitable for children, see Is the Malaga Segway Tour Safe With a Child? Our Review With an 8-Year-Old for our honest experience.

Malaga City Segway Tour

Views of Malaga City

Final Verdict: Would We Stay Again?

No probably not, Joshua has generally outgrown the hotel. I have no doubt it would be a great summer stay for families with young kids.

In October we lacked things to do within the hotel, and overall we found the food and drink of average quality which is something we personally value in a hotel.

A fun stay that we definitely enjoyed but not for us in the future. The region as a whole we loved though, with so much to do and explore beyond the hotel.

If you're weighing up your options for a Costa del Sol family holiday, it's worth having a proper look at what Hotel Riu Costa del Sol offers and deciding whether it suits your family's stage and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hotel Riu Costa del Sol have a kids' club?

Yes, the hotel includes a free kids' club for ages 4 - 12 years as part of the all-inclusive offering, along with a children's pool and an entertainment programme.

How far is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol from Malaga Airport?

It's approximately 6 to 7.5km, taking around 7 to 11 minutes by taxi. There's also a direct train from Málaga-Aeropuerto taking about 21 minutes for €1 to €2.

Is Hotel Riu Costa del Sol on the beach?

Yes, it's located directly on the Torremolinos promenade with beachfront access, close to Los Álamos and around 15 minutes' walk from Carihuela Beach.

Does the hotel have an indoor pool?

Yes. Alongside three outdoor pools, there's an indoor pool, which is particularly useful outside the summer months.

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About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.