What Does All Inclusive by RIU Actually Include? A Complete Guide Before You Book
13 July, 2021 Share
All Inclusive by RIU is the meal plan under which RIU Hotels & Resorts bundles meals, drinks and much of the hotel’s entertainment into the price of your reservation. It’s available across the chain’s hotels in different destinations and is the go-to option for travelers going with family, a partner or friends who’d rather not manage payments during their stay.
At check-in, you’ll receive an identification wristband that you’ll use at restaurants, bars and activities throughout your trip. Many RIU hotels also extend the plan with All Inclusive 24h, which we’ll cover below.
What’s Included in Food and Drinks Under All Inclusive by RIU?
The plan covers breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main buffet, plus a selection of national and international drinks served at the hotel’s bars. It also includes snacks and light bites available during each hotel’s set hours.
The specific range of specialty restaurants, number of bars and drink brands varies by hotel, so it’s worth checking the details before you travel.
What Activities and Entertainment Are Included?
All Inclusive by RIU gives you access, at no extra cost, to much of the chain’s entertainment program:
- RIU Land — children’s entertainment with games and themed days, led by Calú, RIU’s mascot.
- RIU Fun — daytime recreational and sports activities.
- RIU Stage — nighttime shows on the resort’s main stages.
- RIU Art — art workshops for adult guests.
- RIUFit — yoga, aerobics, dance and aquagym sessions led by professionals.
- Splash Water World — at hotels with a water park, access is free and unlimited and fully integrated into All Inclusive, with no extra wristbands or tickets required.
Not every RIU hotel has the same facilities. To check which destinations have Splash Water World, see our dedicated guide to Splash Water World.
All Inclusive vs. All Inclusive 24h: The Key Difference
Standard All Inclusive covers meals, drinks and activities during the hotel’s usual bar and restaurant hours. All Inclusive 24h, offered at many RIU hotels, extends that availability around the clock: if a bar has already closed after the evening show, you can head to a self-service station and pour yourself a drink at no extra cost.
Not all hotels offer the 24h option, so it’s worth confirming this on the hotel’s website before booking.
What Might Cost Extra Under All Inclusive?
While the plan covers most of the experience, some premium services sit outside it and are charged separately. One concrete example is Elite Club by RIU, an optional paid service available at RIU Palace hotels, which adds exclusive areas (lounge, beach, pool and a restaurant reserved for breakfast and dinner), a minibar with premium spirits, a high-end in-room drinks dispenser, and welcome gifts.
Other possible extras — such as spa treatments, motorized water sports, certain premium drink brands outside the standard selection, or off-site excursions — may vary by property. Always check the “Rooms and Services” section on the hotel’s official page before booking.
Is All Inclusive the Same at Every RIU Hotel?
Not quite. The experience varies depending on the hotel line:
| Hotel Line | Profile | Relevant Detail for All Inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| RIU Hotels | Classic family-friendly line at beach destinations | Full entertainment program and varied dining |
| RIU Palace | More upscale line, prime beachfront locations | May offer the premium Elite Club by RIU service (extra cost) |
Both RIU Hotels and RIU Palace properties can also carry the Adults Only concept, designed exclusively for adults (18 or 21 and up, depending on local regulations), with a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere and no children’s entertainment. Before booking, it’s worth checking both the hotel line and whether it’s Adults Only, since that affects which activities are part of All Inclusive.
What to Check Before Booking Your All Inclusive Stay
- Confirm on the hotel’s page whether the plan is standard All Inclusive or All Inclusive 24h.
- Check whether the hotel has Splash Water World, RIU Art, RIUFit or other facilities you’re interested in, since not every hotel offers them.
- If you want an extra level of exclusivity, check whether your chosen RIU Palace hotel offers Elite Club by RIU as an add-on.
- Always book through the official website (riu.com) or RIU’s official apps to avoid inaccurate offers or conditions.
- If you’re a RIU Class member, check whether you can redeem points toward upgrades related to your plan or room type.
Ready to find the right plan for your next trip? Explore RIU hotels with All Inclusive and book directly on the official RIU Hotels & Resorts website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not for the meals, drinks and activities covered by the plan, though it can be useful for personal expenses or services outside All Inclusive, such as Elite Club by RIU or other hotel extras.
It covers a selection of national and international drinks. Premium brands outside that selection may carry an extra charge or be part of services like Elite Club by RIU.
Standard All Inclusive follows the hotel’s regular bar and restaurant hours; the 24h version adds round-the-clock, self-service drink access at no extra cost.
Yes. At hotels with a water park, access is free and unlimited, and it’s fully integrated into All Inclusive.
Yes, at RIU Palace hotels that offer this service, Elite Club by RIU can be booked as a paid upgrade on top of standard All Inclusive.
2 Comments
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Hi Robert!
Thank you very much for sending us your enquiry. We recommend you to contact the hotel directly to get all the information about food and drinks.
Best regards
RIU Hotels & Resorts