News list

RIU Hotels sees out 2025 by reopening the Riu Jalisco following a full refurb

RIU Hotels & Resorts has reopened the doors of the iconic hotel Riu Jalisco, located in Riviera Nayarit, following the completion of an ambitious renovation project. The establishment has undergone an extensive transformation to add a variety of new dining options, as well as create a special area for the youngest members of the family that includes a splash pad with slides. In parallel to the refurbishment, work was carried out to extend the hotel and add 120 rooms in a newly constructed area.

The Riu Jalisco now has a total of 820 completely renovated, contemporary and bright rooms. What’s more, the hotel now offers a new type of room with capacity for up to six guests, a great option for larger families.

The outdoor areas at the Riu Jalisco have been completely redesigned. The hotel has a total of six swimming pools, two of which are specifically for children with games and slides and four that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The family pools have all been newly built along the seafront. The largest has a bar service and the second boasts a swim-up bar, while the remaining two are designed for relaxation and sports activities, respectively. What’s more, children can have even more fun than before thanks to the addition of a new play area with a splash pad that promises hours of safe fun for little ones, who can also enjoy the renovated RiuLand space.

The hotel’s extension is not only home to the new Sports Bar, but also to two concepts that RIU is adding to all refurbished and new hotels: the American Country restaurant, where guests can enjoy a selection of classic American dishes, and the Candy ice cream parlour. These additions complement the hotel's extensive range of dining options, which include the Don Gabriel buffet restaurant and four speciality restaurants: the Steak House, the Asian restaurant Sakura, the Mexican restaurant Agave, and the Italian restaurant Duomo. There are also two more informal dining options, the Pepe's Food grill station and the Tiki Taco taco stand. Including the ice cream parlour and the Sports Bar, the hotel has a total of eight bars.

As for entertainment, guests will continue to enjoy the RIU Party events held every Friday at the hotel, with shows and a unique atmosphere that are guaranteed fun for the whole family.

With this reopening, RIU Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its commitment to Riviera Nayarit, where it has made significant investments in recent years to refurbish the Riu Vallarta in 2019 and the Riu Palace Pacifico in 2023. Thanks to these projects, the chain offers a high-quality, modern product that is adapted to the latest trends in this destination to maintain its leading position in the holiday segment on the Mexican Pacific coast.

For further information please visit: www.riu.com

About RIU: The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 74% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 98 hotels in 21 countries. In 2024, the chain welcomed 6,7 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 38.055 employees. RIU is currently the world's 40th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, and the fourth largest in Spain in number of rooms.

For further information: Communications Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]

RIU Hotels & Resorts opens the Riu Ventura, its sixth hotel in Cancun

RIU Hotels & Resorts has just opened the doors of the Riu Ventura, its new hotel in Mexico located right next to the iconic Playa Delfines beach in Cancun's hotel zone. This establishment represents a new commitment to quality and product diversification, designed to offer a comprehensive holiday experience with RIU’s renowned 24-hour all-inclusive concept. It features an exclusive adults-only area with a pool and a Sky Bar on the sixth floor, a first for RIU in Mexico.

The Riu Ventura offers a total of 705 elegant, contemporary and bright rooms, including 36 with private swim-up pools located on the first floor that offer better views and more privacy thanks to their elevated position. The establishment is RIU’s first hotel in Mexico to offer guests this option.

At the Riu Ventura, guests can enjoy an extensive and sophisticated culinary experience, taking them on a journey around the world with a wide variety of international options including Asian specialities at Kaori, Mexican dishes at Agave, and Italian cuisine at Rimini, in addition to the fusion restaurant Kulinarium and the classic steakhouse. What’s more, guests can delight their taste buds at the buffet restaurant with live cooking and two snack stations: Pepe’s Food, which serves grilled food, and Tiki Tako, which offers Mexican tacos. Similarly, the Riu Ventura’s Sports Bar has the new American-country concept, offering customers an à la carte range of all-American favourites, as well as drinks and snacks 24 hours a day.

The hotel also boasts a total of six bars, including the vibrant Sky Bar on the sixth floor with an adults-only pool that offers panoramic views of the Caribbean. On the ground floor, guests can relax and enjoy the sun in the hotel’s four spacious outdoor swimming pools, or visit the water play area where the youngest members of the family will have a whale of a time.

In addition to daytime and evening activities designed for all ages, guests at the Riu Ventura will also be able to experience the world-famous RIU Party events. These parties held at the Hotel Riu Caribe have revolutionised holiday entertainment with the White Party, Jungle Party, Pink Party and Neon Party, four weekly themed events that guarantee fun and an unbeatable atmosphere for partygoers.

The new establishment has been designed with the well-being and entertainment of the entire family in mind. Guests can stay active in the hotel's fully equipped gym or enjoy a spot of relaxation at the Renova Spa, an oasis of tranquillity that offers treatments and massages. The youngest members of the family can enjoy a range of activities supervised by the entertainment team at the RIU Land kids' club.

This new opening reaffirms RIU Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to the destination of Cancun, where it now has a total of six hotels, in addition to the six establishments at Playa del Carmen and the three resorts in Costa Mujeres. This brings the chain’s total number of hotels to 15 in Quintana Roo and 23 in Mexico, a country where it employs more than 12,800 people. What’s more, the company has big plans in store for 2026, with the refurbishments of the Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula (Cancun) and the Hotel Riu Palace México (Playa del Carmen), as well as the subsequent construction of the Hotel Riu Palace Quintana Roo (Costa Mujeres).

For further information please visit: www.riu.com

About RIU: The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 74% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 98 hotels in 21 countries. In 2024, the chain welcomed 6,7 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 38.055 employees. RIU is currently the world's 40th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, and the fourth largest in Spain in number of rooms.

For further information: Communications Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]

RIU Awards USA & Canada Celebrates its Eighth Edition in Mexico

RIU Hotels & Resorts celebrated the eighth edition of the RIU Awards, which recognize the work of the most important travel agents from the USA and Canada for the chain. This year, the event was held at the Riu Palace Pacifico hotel in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Representatives from the most important agencies in the two main source markets for RIU in the Americas attended. The celebration, with a "Fiesta Mexicana" theme and details inspired by Otomi art, rewarded these professionals for their trust in the chain, whose work consolidates the brand's presence in both countries. During the gala, which gathered 90 people, RIU's Marketing and Sales team presented the latest news, such as renovations, openings, and new services.
 

This year, the work of the TOP Producers from both markets was recognized and special awards were presented. For Canada, the special acknowledgments were:
 

• #1 Host Agency: The Travel Agent Next Door
• #1 Travel Agency: Red Label Vacations
• Host Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: The Travel Agent Next Door
• Travel Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: Les Voyages Simon Pelletier Inc
   

For the United States, the special awards went to:
 

• #1 Host Agency: Inteletravel
• #1 Travel Agency: Vacations To Go
• Host Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: Travel Planners International
• Travel Agency of the Year – Outstanding Growth: Magnum Travel
   

All award winners enjoyed a program that included special activities, surprises, and destination experiences, designed to thank them for their commitment to the chain. Throughout the event, the guests were accompanied by representatives from RIU's Business Development team: Armin Kaestner (VP Sales, Contracting & Business Development, USA & Canada), Magnolia Crisostomo (MICE Director America), Celia Casado (Riu Partner Club Director), Nicole Brown (Sr. Manager, Partner Marketing – Romance & Business Development), as well as the BDMs team from the USA and Canada. Martina Peuser, Sales Director Pacific and Central America, and Carolina Osuna, Sales Manager Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, also participated. RIU makes a special mention of the Operations team, led by Daniel Camponovo and Raúl Pedregal, for their support throughout the weekend.
 

The winners of the RIU Awards are chosen from the agents with the highest production throughout the previous year. Partners interested in participating in the 9th edition of the RIU Awards in 2026 only need to continue working with RIU and their mutual clients in planning their holidays, registering their sales in the RIU Partner Club.

For more information or reservations: www.riu.com

About RIU Hotels & Resorts:

The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca, Spain, in 1953 as a small holiday business by the Riu family, founders and current owners in the third generation. The company focuses on holiday hospitality and more than 74% of its establishments offer the renowned All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU extended its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts has 98 hotels in 21 countries which welcomed 6.7 million clients in 2024 and employed a total of 38,055 workers. RIU is currently the 40th largest chain in the world, and the fourth in Spain by number of rooms.

For more information: Communication and Institutional Relations Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]

RIU plans to reopen all its hotels in Jamaica before the end of the year

RIU Hotels & Resorts is ready to reopen all seven of its hotels in Jamaica before the end of the year, leading the reactivation of hotel operations in the destination. The country is dedicated to the recovery of its main industry as the best way to overcome the crisis caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The reopening is accompanied by the return of charter flight operations from key markets such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, thanks to the commitment of Sunwing and TUI to the destination's recovery.

Operation is currently being reactivated in phases. The Riu Ocho Rios, located in one of the destinations least affected by the storm, has remained open and has already recovered all its services. The Riu Montego Bay reopened its doors on Sunday, November 23, and the Riu Palace Jamaica is doing so today, November 24, reintroducing the premium product in this first stage of reactivation. The four remaining establishments (Riu Reggae; Riu Negril; Riu Palace Tropical Bay, and Riu Palace Aquarelle) have tentative opening dates scheduled from November 30 to December 15, 2025.

RIU's operational and technical team worked on the necessary cleaning and repair work just a few days after Melissa passed to ensure the hotels were ready in record time. The main challenges were restoring water and electricity services, which fortunately are already functioning in all destinations.

RIU's commitment to Jamaica has focused first and foremost on its employees, in line with the Proudly Committed strategy. This has materialized in the form of direct aid and the restoration of employment. The chain has mobilized a fund of $1,000,000 (USD), of which 80% has been assigned directly to staff. This support includes $570,000 USD specifically for providing materials for the reconstruction of employees' homes, and $230,000 USD for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. Additionally, it has enabled an interest-free credit line of $1,300,000 USD to facilitate the management of damages.

The remaining 20% of the aid fund is being allocated to the Jamaican community. In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, $200,000 USD has been donated in humanitarian aid to deliver 1,750 support packages to isolated communities with limited assistance. Furthermore, RIU has partnered with the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 solidarity meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to the affected communities. This initiative pursues the dual objective of providing one hot meal a day in the most affected areas and, at the same time, offering a source of employment to our employees while normal operations are being restored.

After 24 years in the destination, RIU has seven hotels in Jamaica in Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, totaling more than 4,000 rooms and 4,000 employees. The recent inauguration of the Riu Palace Aquarelle last year is a clear demonstration of the chain's strong commitment to Jamaica, consolidating it as one of the most important destinations for RIU in the Caribbean.

For further information please visit: www.riu.com

About RIU: The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 74% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 98 hotels in 21 countries. In 2024, the chain welcomed 6,7 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 38.055 employees. RIU is currently the world's 40th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, and the fourth largest in Spain in number of rooms.

For further information: Communications Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]

RIU Hotels & Resorts "Gold Winner" at the SATA Awards 2025

The RIU Hotels & Resorts chain has been honoured at the latest edition of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), the most prestigious awards recognising excellence in South Asia's hospitality and travel industry. RIU achieved the distinction of "Gold Winner" in the category of Leading Resort/Hotel Brand in South Asia.

The award was collected by Sisitha Weerasekara, Cluster Sales Manager for the Maldives and Sri Lanka at RIU Hotels & Resorts, at the gala ceremony, held at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo in Sri Lanka on September 20. The recognition was presented by the Chairperson of Visit Maldives Corporation.

In South Asia, RIU operates the Hotel Riu Sri Lanka (its first property on the continent, opened in 2016 with its characteristic All-Inclusive service), and its two resorts in the Maldives, the Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas and the Hotel Riu Atoll. This prestigious award, which is granted based on the ratings of industry professionals and voters, is a testament to RIU's commitment to excellence in facilities, hospitality, and service in one of the world's most dynamic tourism regions.

For further information please visit: www.riu.com

About RIU: The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 74% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 98 hotels in 21 countries. In 2024, the chain welcomed 6,7 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 38.055 employees. RIU is currently the world's 40th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, and the fourth largest in Spain in number of rooms.

For further information: Communications Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]

RIU opens its first hotel in Canada: the Riu Plaza Toronto

RIU Hotels & Resorts reaches a new milestone in its international expansion by opening its first hotel in Canada: the Riu Plaza Toronto. This newly built four-star hotel has 352 rooms. It’s located in the heart of Toronto’s skyline in the vibrant Entertainment District, one of the city’s most dynamic neighbourhoods.

The project comprises two twin skyscrapers, each with 49 floors. RIU’s new hotel covers 23 floors in one skyscraper, with the rest of the building to be used for housing. The facade of the building is made up of two different styles and materials: a brick base matching the neighbouring 18th century housing, protected due to its historic significance, and an upper glass structure, adding a modern and contemporary element.

Inside, the ground floor houses the main lobby and the lobby bar, where guests can enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day in a bright and welcoming atmosphere. As well as the lobby bar, the second floor restaurant is a highlight for food options, offering the signature RIU Plaza full buffet breakfast every morning, which is included in the room rate.

The hotel’s communal areas offer a contemporary and innovative design while remaining in sync with the characteristic style of RIU’s urban line. The reception is a mix of light and dark tones, creating a demure atmosphere. Matte chrome finishing touches and beige accents take centre stage, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The lobby has areas designed to offer privacy, providing a warm welcome to guests upon their arrival. The elegant and modern furnishings complement the hotel’s general aesthetic.

The hotel offers many services to guests, including a fully-equipped gym which is open 24 hours. There is also a conference room which can accommodate up to 40 people – a perfect option for those visiting Toronto for business purposes or for the city’s corporate guests.

In addition to the services it offers, what sets this hotel apart is its location at 30 Widmer Street, surrounded by the biggest attractions of Canada’s largest city and one of the country’s most important economic, cultural and financial districts. Just a few steps away from the hotel are famous spots like the Princess of Wales Theatre, David Pecaut Square, Rogers Centre Stadium and the iconic CN Tower. There are also excellent transport connections, making the hotel the perfect base for those travelling for both leisure and business.

In line with RIU’s commitment to sustainability and as part of its Proudly Committed strategy, the hotel operates advanced energy efficiency measures, such as cogeneration plants that simultaneously create electricity and thermal energy, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Water saving measures and waste reduction schemes are also in place.

This opening represents a significant achievement for RIU as Canada is one of the most significant markets for the hotel chain, especially in destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Canadian travellers know RIU and truly appreciate the brand. Now, for the first time, they can enjoy an RIU experience without leaving their home country.

The RIU Plaza Toronto is the twelfth hotel in RIU’s urban line, joining those in Panama, Guadalajara (Mexico), Madrid, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Berlin, London and Dublin. RIU is still expanding in the world’s largest cities and is currently building its third hotel in New York.

For more information or to make a booking: www.riu.com

About RIU Hotels & Resorts: The international chain, RIU, was founded in Mallorca, Spain, in 1953 by the Riu family as a small holiday business. It is now owned and run by the third generation of the Riu family. The company’s activity is focused on the holiday hotel sector and more than 74% of its hotels offer the renowned “All Inclusive by RIU” service. With the opening of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU expanded its offering with its own line of urban hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts consists of 98 hotels in 21 countries and, in 2024, the hotel chain welcomed 6.7 million customers and was comprised of 38,055 employees. Currently, RIU is the 40th largest chain in the world, and fourth in Spain by number of rooms.

For more information: Communications Department // Tel.: +34 971 74 30 30 // [email protected]