RIU Hotels and Resorts have been a favourite with Canadians since the 1990s when The Riu Taino opened in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. RIU had, of course, long been popular holiday hotel choices for European and international travellers since the 50’s when the Riu family acquired their first hotel in Playa de Palma (Mallorca, Spain).
As the company flourished, RIU Hotels and Resorts developed internationally. On this side of the world, Canadians became familiar with the brand at popular holiday destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica.
In 2010 RIU expanded further, opening a line of city hotels called Riu Plaza, the latest recently opened in London, << https://travelindustrytoday.com/riu-makes-london-debut/>> conveniently located near Victoria Station.
Travel Industry Today recently had an opportunity to meet with Armin Kaestner, VP Sales Contracting and Business Development for RIU Hotels and Resorts in the US and Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. We asked Kaestner whether the focus would now be more on the Plaza (city) brand.
Not at all, he said. When RIU started its business in popular hotspots in the Caribbean and Mexico, it grew very fast and very quickly; but, he explained, there is only that much you can grow in those destinations, especially when RIU insists on prime locations for their resorts.
CONTINUED GROWTH
“Luckily we are a very healthy company and our owners, reinvest all their money,” said Kaestner with a smile.
The goal he said is to build four hotels every year. As beach locations become limited, RIU started the Plaza line where it now has 12 hotels around the world. For the same reason the company expanded into Asia and guests can now stay at a RIU in the Maldives, Dubai, Senegal, in other locations in Africa.
“In order to keep on growing, we have to expand the territory. So, it’s a parallel development,” explained Kaestner.
RIU is also expanding in North America. Currently there are Riu Plazas in Miami, San Francisco, and two in New York. Toronto and Chicago are on track to open soon.
Kaestner says if anything limits RIU’s growth it is the fact it only builds hotels in prime locations. “We would not go to a secondary beach. We would not go to a secondary location just to have a hotel. Because as you can tell, all our hotels are in prime locations. They’re the best location.”
Having stayed at the original RIU in New York I can certainly attest to its excellent location just a couple of minutes’ walk from Times Square and the theatre district and the new Riu Times Square is apparently even better.
The Riu Plaza Toronto is set to open at a prime location in the Financial District. Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels and Resorts, said that the opening of the first hotel in Toronto “is a big step forward in our commitment to expanding the Riu Plaza hotel line in the world’s key cities, establishing the RIU brand beyond more traditional vacation destinations. We hope this hotel attracts RIU customers around the world to discover the city of Toronto with us.”
I asked about other major cities; and is Australia too far?
“I’m not saying no,” said Kaestner. “If they find the right place in Sydney, they would buy a place in Sydney. We were looking at Paris. We are looking at Amsterdam. We are looking at all major capitals in the world.”
Offhand he could think of few destinations that RIU would not consider.
The first four-star all-inclusive in Dubai proved so successful that RIU is now building a five-star all-inclusive right Palace property next to it. (Both hotels are, of course, on the beach).
THE ELITE CONCEPT
RIU is also introducing a new concept – the Elite Club, which will debut at the Palace Macau this month.
The Elite Club is a new room category being introduced into the adults-only Palace hotels. It comes with exclusive amenities and added values for clients. All the rooms have the best location and great views. Junior suites offer swim-up, an upgraded mini bar with snacks, and “really premium drinks.”
Rooms also include a four-bottle liquor dispenser that are refilled as necessary during the stay. There is upgraded bedding – fluffier beds with a pillow top mattress. Also included is a welcome gift – a beach bag of natural materials and a mug to take your (premium) whiskey to the pool.
There will be a lounge and an exclusive restaurant for elite clients. Another added value will be access to an a la carte breakfast.
The Elite Club concept will soon be available in Punta Cana, Jamaica, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Aruba.
“The only adults-only hotel in the Caribbean which does not have it… is the Paradise Island in Bahamas,” says Kaestner, though he adds, “We are looking how to do it, but the hotel has a very limited space and we need those exclusive areas. And as always, either we do it right or we don’t do it. So, we have to see how we can figure all this out.”
“We have a property for everyone!” observes Laura Castellanos Rodriguez, Sales Director D.R. and Associated VP Sales, Contracting & BD for RIU in Canada, USA, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica & Panama. “But we are very excited about that program. We think it’s going to be amazing value because as always, we are not inventing the wheel. This already exists with other competitors, but we are going to have it better and less expensive.”
A NEW CYCLE
RIU renovates its hotels every 10 years, thus beginning a new cycle where the look and feel of the hotels is changed and upgraded – keeping the look current, modern and elegant.
What makes RIU different? Well, for one thing it is still partially family owned and run. Brother and sister Luis and Carmen Riu are very much involved in the company, and they are certainly not ready to give up, even as the next generation have been preparing themselves – attending annual sales meetings so that they can listen, see, and understand the commercial future of the company. They are very much involved.
RIU Hotels and Resorts is in firm hands – for now and for the future.
RIU Hotels and Resorts are available exclusively in Canada through Sunwing.