Our 5 Favourite RIU Hotels

Written by Corie Daniel Last updated May 2nd 202402/05/24

Have you stayed at a RIU hotel before? If you haven’t, you’ve been missing out! There are so many of these amazing hotels to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down to five of our firm favourites…

What makes a RIU hotel great?

These spectacular selection of hotels are sprinkled across the globe, from the Canaries to the Caribbean, and they’re often in prime spots or based on a beautiful spread of beach.

RIU hotels have something for everyone, from properties that are packed with activities to their luxe palace properties that add a hint of luxury to your holiday.

There’s an abundance of entertainment and activities for you to choose from while you’re away, from tennis to scuba diving, or volleyball to art classes. There’s just as good a list for kids and teens in their clubs, too.

And of course one of the hallmarks of a RIU hotel has to be the great gastronomy that’s on offer. From the big buffet restaurants serving up dishes from around the world to the tasty a la cartes, your holiday in one of these hotels will always be full of flavour.

Take a look at five of our favourites and see if any tickles your fancy…

RIU Republica, Dominican Republic

This adults only escape in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic really is unique in its offering. If you want a holiday that serves up the perfect mix of laidback and lively – this is the place to go.

Right on the beach, it also has a whopping eight pools, as well as its very own waterpark boasting a spectacular selection of slides (because it’s not just kids who like to make a splash!)

Food-wise, you’ll never be hungry at this hotel. There’s a jerk chicken place right on the beach, serving up endless amounts of fresh, tasty jerk chicken every day, as well as a selection of other snacks like burgers and hot dogs.

You’ve got the choice of two buffet restaurants, as well as four a la carte restaurants and another three speciality buffet restaurants, including an Italian and Asian eatery.

You’re spoiled when it comes to drinks, too. There’s three swim up bars to choose from, plus a sprinkling of other bars and lounges all around the complex. There’s also a 24 hour sports bar with pool and air hockey tables if you’re up for a bit of competitive fun.

The thing that really takes this hotel to the next level though? The entertainment. If you love to party on an evening, then this is the hotel for you!

Two nights a week, the hotel has a themed party, complete with a resident DJ and professional dancers to hype the place up. They usually run from 7-11pm, and it really does feel like you’re at a proper club or event!

Other nights of the week you’ll find tributes to top artists and even acrobats, and on top of all this, there’s also two pool party events you can attend at another RIU hotel nearby.

The hotel puts on free shuttle buses to and from the event, and all your drinks are still All Inclusive at the pool party venue. With foam shot down from the sky and balloons dished out to the crowd, the atmosphere is absolutely electric!

Of course, if relaxing is more your vibe, you can simply stay put at the RIU Republica – the complex is so spacious and lush with pretty palm trees everywhere, and there’s plenty of quiet spots to sit back and soak up a good book.

For the best of both worlds, the RIU Republica is hard to beat!

RIU Cancun, Mexico

For a modern stay in Cancun, Mexico, look no further than the RIU Cancun. Many other hotels in the area have a more ‘traditional’ Spanish feel to them, including some other nearby RIUs, but the RIU Cancun evokes a clean, fresh feel to it.

The exterior of this hotel looks like a giant book, and it certainly a place to create an amazing story of your own.

The whole design of this hotel is sleek and contemporary from start to finish, from its glistening lobby to its sleek stage and entertainment area, the hotel has a real smart feel to it.

Many RIUs are known for their beautiful beach front location, and this one is no different. Situated on a gorgeous stretch of Cancun’s beach, you can go from being in the pool one minute to being on soft white sands the next.

The colour of the sea here has to be seen to be believed – its iridescent blue shimmer is like something off a postcard.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, the hotel has a pretty perfect pool selection to choose from.

The infinity pool, complete with an in-pool bar, has to be our favourite – where you can sip on your tequila sunrise whilst taking in all the views of the turquoise sea. What more could you want?

One of the best things about this hotel is its prime location – it’s the perfect distance away from the main ‘strip’ of Cancun so that it feels like it’s in a quiet spot, but it’s actually only a quick 10-minute walk into the lively city centre.

If you prefer where you stay to be within a stone’s reach of an array of restaurants, bars, and entertainment, then it really doesn’t get much better than this – everything you need is just a short stroll away.

It’s less than 10 minutes walk to Coco Bongo, arguably the most entertaining venue in all of Mexico, where you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind night out in the style of an amazing acrobatics show to all your favourite tunes.

For an amazing getaway in Mexico, we simply love the RIU Cancun! If you want something a bit further afield, the RIU Palace Peninsula lies further out from central Cancun and has a seriously dreamy pool scene.

RIU Touareg, Cape Verde

We love Cape Verde for its all-year-round amazing weather scene, and paired up with a stay at the RIU Touareg in beautiful Boa Vista, you’ve got an amazing escape!

This platinum hotel has so much to offer you won’t ever have to leave the resort if you don’t want to . It’s got one of the prettiest pool scenes around, with six to take a dip in, with some featuring under-water sunbeds and a swim-up bar for those poolside drinks, too. Oh, and there’s a whirlpool bath to sit in and soak up the sun as the bubbles bob away!

This hotel is perfect for both families and adults – there’s two children’s outdoor pools, featuring fun slides and a fountain, as well as an adults-only pool which is exclusive to those staying in the adults only section.

Like many RIU’s around, this hotel serves up 24 hour All Inclusive at its finest, meaning you’ll be left wanting for nothing. Enjoy a long, laidback continental breakfast by the poolside restaurant, where by evening, it turns into a grill restaurant that’s just as tasty.

One of the best things about the RIU Touareg though, has to be the beach. It’s bagged a spot on one of Boa Vista’s best beaches, with a stretch of powder-white sand just ready and waiting for you to laze the day away.

If you want nothing more than to relax and unwind in serene surroundings, the RIU Touareg is an easy choice.

RIU Palace Tikida Taghazout, Morocco

Morocco might not be your first thought when it comes to where to holiday, but it soon will be when you’ve taken a look at the RIU Palace Tikida Taghazout.

This five-star Platinum property in amazing Agadir is one of the most aesthetically pleasing RIU’s to look at – it’s outdoor pool scene looks like a piece of paradise in the shimmering sun.

There’s a pool for every day of the week here, with seven serene pools to choose from. One even comes with sunken sunbathing decks right beside the pool, and there’s two infinity numbers right in front of the beach. Water babies will love it here!

You’ve got a great offering when it comes to food and drinks too, from the 24 hour lobby bar serving up the most colourful cocktails to the Moroccan a la carte restaurant, letting you get a real taste of authentic Moroccan cuisine.

The swish surroundings of this hotel make you feel like you’re in a spa setting already, so why not treat yourself with a treatment at the actual Tikida Spa? Chill out in the relaxation room or opt for a massage that will melt all your troubles away.

The hotel is on its own private stretch of beach, in the most peaceful location of Taghazout Bay. You’re only 3 miles from Taghazout centre, and less than 15 miles from Agadir city centre – meaning you’re right within reach of exciting excursions and day trips to explore this dreamy destination.

For something different with a touch of luxury, we love the RIU Palace Tikida Taghazout.

RIU Palace Tenerife, Tenerife

Tenerife is the biggest and one of the most-loved Canary Islands, and the RIU Palace Tenerife is a fitting match to make your holiday complete.

With both a sea and mountain setting, the hotel has some of the best views of any RIU – with volcanic slopes to the rear and spectacular sea views to the front. What more could you want?!

Both of the two large swimming pools here face the glittering Atlantic sea, plus there’s another infinity pool that’s exclusively for adults, which serves up the most fantastic views imaginable.

When it comes to food, the gastronomy at the RIU Palace Tenerife caters to all tastes, as well as treating you to the best fusion and Spanish dishes too. You can also enjoy brilliant buffet breakfasts on the terrace, overlooking the ocean.

The hotel resides on Tenerife’s south coast, just a 20-minute stroll from the centre of Costa Adeje (which, apparently, the Backhams are a big fan of too!)

It’s hardly surprising, with five-star hotels like this one dotted around, as well as a dreamy designer shopping scene and rustic waterfront restaurants on the go.

For a stay in terrific Tenerife, the RIU Palace Tenerife will have everyone in the whole family feeling like royalty from the moment they arrive.