Riu Hotels and Resorts is to Spain what Club Med is to France. Known first and foremost for its resort clubs on the Iberian peninsula, in the Caribbean or Mexico, Riu has nevertheless diversified in recent years, also targeting a customer base ofbusinessmen. In 2010, the group created the Riu Plazafour-star hotels located in the heart of cities. Panama City was the first destination to benefit from a city hotel under this brand.
Riu's portfolio of city hotels currently includes eight properties, located in Panama but also Guadalajara, Miami, New York, BerlinDublinThe year 2019 has seen the opening of two new establishments. The most prestigious is the conversion of the Edificio España building in MadridThis imposing building, opened in 1953, is reminiscent of the Soviet Union's 'sugar architecture' style, with sculptures on its façade. Since this summer, this RIU Plaza España completely restored in the style of the 50s, with its marble columns and original bas-reliefs, has once again become one of the most fashionable hotels for business travellers, with its 585 rooms and restaurants, 5000 m² of meeting rooms and conference facilities - including one for 1,500 delegates - as well as a skybar at the top of the skyscraper.
Last November, the Group also added a RIU Plaza in the United States with the acquisition of a facility in San Francisco. The RIU Plaza Fisherman's Warf, facing the famous Alcatraz Island, is located ten minutes by public transport or taxi from the financial district of the Californian metropolis. The hotel features 531 roomsThe hotel also has a bar and restaurant, 11 meeting rooms and a lounge with exclusive services for business guests.
" This project is excellent news for the consolidation of our range of RIU Plaza urban hotels, underlines the CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts on his blog, Luis Riu. San Francisco is a great city with a very competitive hotel market and this acquisition puts us in one of the best areas with a quality product that fits perfectly with our business strategy. ".
In addition, an ambitious expansion plan is scheduled for the next decade. Three projects have been announced for the coming months. The end of 2020 will see the arrival of RIU Plaza at London. The group has acquired a hotel dating from the early 1970s near Victoria Station. It will become the chain's first hotel in the UK. The hotel, marketed as a four stars will offer 350 roomsrestaurants, bars and meeting rooms. The brutalist architecture of the 70s will be preserved and transformed into a hotel with a contemporary touch. According to Luis Riu, the investment amounts to around 250 million eurosjustified by " the hotel's unbeatable location in London. "
Amsterdam and Paris under consideration?
Finally, in 2021 will open on the first Riu Plaza in Toronto. The hotel will be located in a new skyscraper in the financial district of the country's economic metropolis. The hotel is aimed primarily at business customers, with 350 roomsIt will also include meeting rooms, restaurants and a fitness centre. The group has also confirmed the opening of a second establishment à New Yorknear Times Square.
According to CEO Luis Riu, the group's objective is to increase the share of city hotels in its portfolio from 10% to 20%. This will translate into one or two units every year, if not every two years. Riu is therefore continuing to keep a close eye on opportunities in the world's major cities, with a preference for hotels with 250 to 350 rooms in urban areas. On his blog, Luis Riu admits to having studied the market in detail at Amsterdam but also to ParisHowever, we were unable to find a school that met the group's criteria...
