RIU Hotels & Resorts is a reliable, well-established name in the all-inclusive space. When advisors book any property within this family of brands, whether it’s a RIU Palace or Hotel, they know their customers are going to get great value, spacious contemporary rooms, in-room liquor dispensers, and plenty of pools in and around which to lounge.
But don’t mistake reliable for outdated. RIU is constantly modernizing, innovating, and not only keeping up with the times and demands of modern travelers, but at times, setting the new bar. Most impressively, these hotels and resorts are doing all of the above while maintaining the bang-for-their-buck, high-energy, and festive setting their guests love them for.
Here are some of the biggest updates the brand has made so far in 2025, and what’s coming up the pike to round out an exciting year of advances for their collection of properties.
A New Build in Cancun
We’re still a few months out, but there’s already been big buzz around the brand-new construction that will be Riu Ventura on Delfines Beach.
Set to open its doors in December, this L-shaped resort is family-friendly on multiple levels – and we don’t just mean that in reference to its high-rise structure! Its compact, simple layout makes it easy to navigate, and all six pools are clustered centrally. Of those, the one with a water slide is conveniently close to RIU Land kids club, while the sixth-floor infinity pool will naturally appeal to adults. High-floor swim-up suites overlooking the ocean make that experience private and promise to be a highlight attraction, but for those whom balcony vistas are enough, lateral sea views and regular ocean view rooms will be available, too.
Other amenities include six bars, eight restaurants (including the new American Country concept), RIU Fit program, and access to RIU Party at nearby Riu Caribe, transportation and all.
Remarkable Renovations
This brand is always building, but what’s great for travelers is that not all of it is from the ground up. RIU pays just as much attention to existing properties, keeping them refreshed and again, reliable crowd-pleasers.
Riu Negril is the most recently completed renovation (preview the photos here on their site!), featuring a totally refreshed lobby, 28 swim-up rooms and suites, three new restaurants (Pepe’s Food, Tiki Taco, American Country), pickleball court, and full updates to five pools, including the children’s pool. RIU Party every Thursday in the hotel’s theatre add even more fun to a long weekend stay. 
In Costa Rica, Riu Guanacaste is scheduled to reopen after a full makeover in October, which will feature a more modern, neutral color scheme throughout the property, swim-up rooms and new friends and family rooms, a redesigned main pool and additional splash park for kids and another pool with a swim-up bar. It’ll also feature a RIU Land kids’ club, Pacha disco (drinks included!), American Country, Pepe’s Food grill, and a multisport court for recreation.
In December, Riu Jalisco in Riviera Nayarit will be open just in time for families to spend the holidays there. This property’s overhaul will include new buildings with 120 more rooms, a new sports bar, American Country restaurant, ice cream parlor, and the return of RIU Family Parties to the region.
Elite Club Expansions
When RIU’s Elite Club was first introduced, it didn’t only make a splash – it was a hit. So much that the concept is expanding at a rapid pace and is becoming available in more destinations and hotels with Riu Palace Costa Mujeres and Riu Palace Riviera Maya starting next year. This exclusive adults-only room category will add an upscale, unique element and even more value to their stay, with amenities and services that turn the stay into an elevated experience.
The long list of benefits starts with premium room locations, access to special spaces (Elite Club lounge, pool and beach areas, restaurants, special check-in area, etc.), and late check-out. Drinks are upgraded, from premium brands at selected bars and in in-room dispensers. So is food, with a more robust room service menu, minibar with snacks, and only-for-Elite-Club breakfast and dinner options and venues.
Current RIU Palace hotels with this category include Riu Palace Kukulkan, Riu Palace Pacifico, Riu Palace Baja California, Riu Palace Jamaica, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Palace Antillas, and Riu Palace Bavaro, putting the Riviera Maya and Costa Mujeres locations in great company early 2026.
Room to Gather, Savings to Celebrate
One thing that’s made the RIU portfolio of hotels and resorts so popular is that it’s a brand that not only grows with traveler needs and stages of life, but that there’s room for all. There are few better brands for a good slumber party among friends and practically no others that have unique friends and family room categories with as many as three double beds in one spacious room. An impressive maximum capacity of eight guests really enhances value and adds fun.
Two-bedroom family rooms or connecting room categories are the more popular options to keep everyone together, with adjoining doors or a shared hallway. If available while booking a group through an ALG Vacations® brand, it’s actually guaranteed.
That security is on top of group perks, which the brand offers plenty of. For example, FIT groups receive a complimentary stay for the 6th, 11th or 16th guest in the group. Contracted groups get extra benefits starting your group at just five rooms, giving vacationers the ultimate flexibility to pick between a traditional contract or using our GroupEase® program.
Expert-designed collections feature different color schemes, special private events, live music, and even an anniversary return stay. Inclusions such as a private dinner, cocktail or tasting experience, live music, DJ, romantic room decorations, photo session, spa discounts or even included treatments, and bridal makeup amp up the value.
Plus, their wedding collections are some of the best in the business. They’re fully customizable and start at the unbeatable price of FREE for a celebration for 10. New to the program is Indulgence Beachfront Bliss, available in Punta Cana only, for a fully tailored six-hour experience for 50 – and can increase up to 350 guests that goes on until dinner and dancing beneath the stars.
Check out the full catalog of weddings here.
Complex Highlights
In Mexico and the Caribbean, two of RIU Hotels & Resorts’ mega-resort complexes deserve some renewed attention this year. In the Punta Cana complex, all four properties share amenities like the on-site Splash Water World and RIU Pool Party. Those who stay in family-friendly Riu Bambu, Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Palace Punta Cana and the adults-only Riu Palace Macao have sections of their own, of course, but the ability to mix and mingle makes it even more fun. And for young adults, the Riu Republica offers an even better way to have it all. Its location just outside the complex means greater exclusivity to change the vibe as guests feel fit.
Then in Los Cabos, Riu Santa Fe has settled in quite nicely to the updates and expansions completed just a few years ago, and provides a chunk of the entertainment for the complex, which includes Riu Palace Baja California and Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. RIU Pool Party, Splash Water World, American Country restaurant, and an Elite Club option are all available here.
Deeper Resources & Rewards
We know – this is a lot of information to take in, which is why the hotel has created a Travel Advisor Handbook to help advisors keep all of the details together and provide them with the unique selling points that can strengthen their sales pitch. RIU Partner Club member travel advisors get points for booking with the brand on top of ALGV’s WAVES™ earnings; these points can be redeemed for free stays. We love a double-dip reward system for our travel advisor partners, especially since the Partner Club’s points never expire, come with a brand-specific call center, and offers special rates for advisors.
All to say, ALGV Gives You MORE, but combined with RIU Hotels & Resorts, we both give advisors our all.
