H10 Rubicón Palace

After deciding to get some sunshine during the Easter holidays we ended up selecting H10 Rubicon Palace for 6 nights and had a fantastic time. Transfer was easy and with us being one of the first drop offs it was only around 40 minutes. Arriving at the hotel, checkin was seamless and then we were transported to our room (golf buggy) with luggage taken care of. All the staff are very friendly and attentive. We had a standard room which had two large beds plus a sofa bed for our daughter. Room was spacious enough for the amount of time we spent in it. It would have been nice to have a bit extra space but then the room upgrades didn’t seem to provide the value compared to the amount of use. Nice balcony with a sea view. The hotel layout works well once you get an understanding of the floor levels across the whole site. We were in room 4088 which was located on more of the perimeter of the place but was only a couple of minutes from the main restaurant, pool, reception. In fact, it was next to the relax pool for ease of use. There are a number of different pools (generally freshwater ones) plus one for the exclusive use of Privilege guests. We chose to spend most of our time around the largest pool which is in the centre and is attached to the snack bar and next to the main building. There is lots of space, and whilst cool when you first get in, you soon acclimatise. There is a smaller heated pool which is nice, but slightly busier. There is then a separate kids pool with a couple of slides. We only visited to see what is was like as our daughter is 13 and so was too big. Plenty going on there and there is a food truck. There was no need to reserve sun loungers as plenty of availability but the ones nearer the front go earlier as expected but no need to be setting an alarm for a silly time. Round the pool was nice and quiet, but could probably be good to have a bit of music at a section (not just where the information box is) but that is just a personal choice. :) Seeing a couple of comments about cleaning, but we thought it was impeccable and the staff are continually keeping the areas clean, quick to tidy tables and carried out daily housekeeping in the room. Selecting all inclusive always comes with a little trepidation but we shouldn’t have worried and were not disappointed. Breakfast was served in the main restaurant and has a wide variety of choices for every member of our party. Even at the busiest times (9:15 to 9:45), it didn’t feel overwhelming but would recommend probably going down about by 8:30 to enjoy a slightly more quieter environment. At lunch we generally utilised the pool snack bar which had enough to keep us going and saved getting changed to go into the main restaurant. It’s very relaxed and you can enter in swim clothes. A very good alternative, which not many people used (or simply didn’t know was there) was the Bistro. It’s located next to the relax pool and serves the likes of paninis, sandwiches, salads

All the negative reviews are accurate. We also had an awful experience last week. The customer service was the worst that I have ever experienced. Similar to other reviews the Piano Bar was frequently up to an hour's wait for drinks and we often had to reorder after 45 minutes. Similarly in the Bistro, not once during the week could the staff produce 8 orders without error. Often one person's order didn't arrive before the rest of us had finished eating ie 45 minutes at least. We chose to eat in the Bistro as the buffet queues were so long, particularly as a group of 8. (I felt like a herded sheep constantly being told where to stand...rather than a client in a 5* hotel. Please see the photos below.) They wouldn't help us at all. In the end we ended up climbing through the ropes to grab any breakfast table we could and using both buffets to suit us...we had had enough. The food in the buffet was 3* - nothing more, e.g. jam from a dispenser, no brown bread/baguette for 3 days in a row, school type salads, tinned fruit salad which my daughter spat out as it was so bad, and fish that didn't look appetising. The majority of it is cooked off site (the chef even told a client this so I know it's true) particularly the puddings. This left our friend with a nut allergy with a very limited choice as they couldn't guarantee which items were nut free. She can tolerate nut traces but understandably the hotel then wouldn't serve her just in case of a reaction. The worst was the diarrhoea I had after eating at the Asian restaurant, my daughter and her boyfriend also suffered but not seriously. The reception wouldn't even give me water at 4am to help with the dehydration. It was one of the most horrible incidents in a hotel of my life and left me exhausted and in tears. Thankfully a porter then suggested that they gave me some bottled water and drove us back to our room as I was so weak. I dread to think what would have happened if he hadn't turned up. I think those that had a better time were those with small children as there were lots of activities. There were so many exclusions to 'all-inclusive' including the spa/gym/cakes at the coffee shop so please don't be fooled. You also have to pay 50c per towel used which are only issued from the reception, approximately a 5 minute walk from our room - ridiculous. Please give them to us at the pool like other hotels do. Due to the shocking service we were allowed into the privilege restaurant for one dinner which was great, and what we were expecting throughout the hotel. The yoga and pilates classes were good and we took the fun walk up to the top of the volcano. I could go on and on and would genuinely like to know what the process is to downgrade a hotel as I really do not want others to experience the week that we endured. I know that we weren't alone in our thoughts and views due to the long queues at Guest Relations, and also reading the reviews on here. We will not be returning...

The hotel is amazing, wonderful staff, excellent facilities and lovely food. We upgraded from all inclusive to the privilege grade it was well worth the €22 each per day extra, we felt very special. It gave us our own pool, a privilege bar (help your self to drinks) and wonderful Volcan restaurant. The hotel is a perfect position on the promenade and it has the Red Mountain behind it, well worth a climb 1hr 30. We highly recommend this hotel and will book again.

Beautiful hotel. First class service, food and drinks in all areas. Piano bar cocktails were amazing too of an evening! Staff very professional, friendly and helpful. A definite place to chill for a long weekend. No need to leave hotel if you don't want to.

So this is my third stay in this wonderful hotel. This is the first time I went all inclusive privilege. I can now understand why people upgrade . Would I up grade again? I think I would at the right price as the extras are nice to have , but I do not think essential. The location is fantastic for those that like to walk. Great walks along the beach front with stunning views. The staff in this hotel work so hard and everyone from the cleaners to the managers are friendly and welcoming . I can’t praise the service enough. Rooms clean spacious and had the added bonus of sea views on this stay. Privelage bar is dangerous as you just help yourself to your favourite tipple. Entertainment is good. Hotel Grounds are stunning. So much to do at this hotel. Food fantastic with great service. Can’t wait to return early next year. Thank you rubicon for an amazing holiday. ❤️☀️

Just got back from a week away with my friend. Wonderful hotel, spacious rooms with nice view, amazing comfy beds and pillows. Complimentary toiletries in bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities also. Rooms cleaned daily spotless, fresh towels. Grounds and pool areas also spotless! Resteraunt really nice with lots of choice, able to book other resteraunts also, all fantastic with a good choice of food and drinks,easy to book. Piano bar nice to sit in on a night but lots of other places to choose from. Bus stop to Playa blanca just outside every 30mins and a lovely walkway along the beach if you prefer. All Staff pleasant and really helful cannot fault this hotel. Fantastic high standards. Would definitely return.

Lovely hotel, staff were amazing and accommodating. Nice spa, lovely coastal walk. Entertainment by the privilege pool was so much fun and we made a sangria with Marta that was delicious and a great craic thanks to her and the guests joining in.