This is our second time in a Riu hotel, and it won't be our last. These hotels are brilliant.

The service is second to none and the food is everything you would wish it to be. The deserts are to die for.

The rooms are large and airy, with good aircon. The bathroom has 2 basins, and the toilet and bidet is in a seperate part, through a doorway, no door to this part though, the shower is very good, plenty of hot water.

The maid service is superb, she even changed our sheets just 2 days before we were leaving, the cleanliness can't be beaten.

Riu Nautilus is situated right on the beach front about 500 meters from Benalmadena. The only complaint we had was that the room don't necessarily have a beach view! Most of them face North to the Sierra Nevadas and an awful lot face South into the back windows of another hotel.

When we stayed there, November 2003 the hotel pool was undergoing restoration, which Thomson hadn't informed us about. The hotel is German owned and it was apparent that this nationality got the best views! However, this is small complaint against the rest of the stay.

The hotel staff were 99% helpful, apart from a gentleman on reception who was a bit "huffed" when we asked for a room with a better view than the backside of the neighbouring hotel! He muttered somthing to a colleague in Italian which unfortunately for him I speak.

Food was superb and the rest of the staff most helpful, especially the restaurant staff. Evening entertainment was a bit "naff" with the usual parrot performers etc. but the Bar staff again superb. This hotel is ideal for those who may have a walking disability as it is situated on the flat with no hills and only the minimum of steps to negotiate. Indeed there are ramps throughout the building for wheelchairs.

Banalmadena is 5 minutes walk away and along the playa (sea front) are numerous fish restaurants which are very popular with the local. Torremolinos is about 30 minutes slow walk away, and for the more adventurous the local bus service which takes you to Malaga, Arroyo and Fuengirola, (Pronounced FuenHirola!) is about 10 minutes casual walk up a slight incline on the dual cariageway.

For the homesick, there are numerous Brit bars around, but try to stay with the locals. Don't bother with the cafes in Banalmadena marina, they are expensive and serve small portions!

Will we got back to the Riu Nautilus??? Definitely! Finally but possibly of the greatest importance. BEWARE the bathroom floors.....they are marble..and this reporter slipped while getting out of the bath and dislocated his shoulder. The bath mat simply slid away under me.