Since December all hotel guests can enjoy the newly renovated Riu Palace Riviera Maya. (Photo: Riu Hotels)

Spanish hotel group RIU completes the massive restoration project of Mexico’s iconic Riu Palace Riviera Maya.

RIU Hotels and Resorts can rest easy as the new decade begins, given that they have just completed the mammoth restoration project of one of its key hotels in Mexico, the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. We take a look at the transformation of this property.

Renovation of Riu Palace Riviera Maya completed

The 5-star Riu Palace Riviera Maya resort on the beachfront of Mexico’s Playa Del Carmen has undergone an extensive renovation, the final stage of which was completed just in time for the turn of the decade. There have been many changes made to this iconic RIU resort, both cosmetic, aesthetic and operational. There have been stylistic changes to the fabric of the building, and there have also been changes to the service and the offering at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya.

Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts, spoke of the transformation, saying, “I am very satisfied with the result of this reform project in which we have invested 40 million dollars. I believe that even the most loyal customers of this hotel will appreciate the new style and new services. Your satisfaction is what motivates all our efforts. This project has been special because with it we complete the renovation of the six RIU hotels in Playa del Carmen and because it also puts the finishing touch to a year full of great challenges like those we face in Maldives and Madrid.”

A hotel transformed

The Riu Palace Riviera Maya welcomes guests into a fresh, contemporary and timeless resort. One of the biggest transformations has occurred in the outdoor area, which underwent a complete redesign. There are now three outdoor pools in this area, complete with a swim-up bar, as well as a family-friendly entertainment club, RiuLand, which boasts a kids pool and waterslides.

The guest rooms have also been overhauled, and now each of the 460 rooms is fitted out with a gleaming ceramic parquet floor as opposed to the carpet and tiles that were previously there. The colour scheme of the room interiors has also been changed to create a more calming, seaside environment, with natural tones and light blues reminiscent of the sea complementing each other.

The restaurants have also been transformed, with a more spacious dining area allowing guests to feel even more relaxed. There are a number of international eateries on offer, serving everything from world cuisine to Japanese food to a local Mexican grill. The hotel has also introduced a 24 hour service offering, which extends from room service to the 24 hour lounge bar.

According to the TOPHOTELCONSTRUCTION online database, Mexico will add 131 new hotels to its portfolio in the next couple of years: