RIU Hotels & Resorts has reopened the Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun following an extensive renovation that has transformed its accommodations, dining options and exclusive Elite Club experience. 

Originally opened in 2012, the 618-room resort has long been one of the chain’s signature properties in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. The renovation completely reimagines the hotel while maintaining its distinctive architecture, introducing upgraded guest rooms, refreshed public spaces and enhanced amenities throughout the property.

Elite Club Debuts

Among the biggest additions is the launch of RIU’s Elite Club, an upgraded experience designed for adult guests seeking additional amenities and exclusive spaces.

Elite Club guests have access to a private restaurant, exclusive bar and swimming pool with a swim-up bar, along with premium beverages and some of the property’s top room categories. The hotel now features 100 Elite Club rooms, some equipped with private pools. These accommodations are located in the villa section of the resort, formerly designated as the Adults Only zone.

Refreshed Rooms and Public Spaces

All 618 guestrooms have been redesigned with natural tones and warm wood finishes, creating a brighter, more contemporary look.

The renovation also extends throughout the hotel’s public areas, including its restaurants and lobby, where larger open spaces and expanded windows now maximize views of the Caribbean Sea. The District bar has also been refreshed, offering panoramic ocean views.

Outdoor facilities now include six swimming pools: three general-use pools, an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar, the exclusive Elite Club pool and a dedicated children’s pool.

Families can also enjoy the renovated RIU Land kids’ club, while the resort’s entertainment team continues to offer daily activities and evening shows.

Adult guests staying at Riu Palace Peninsula also have access to RIU Party events held four times a week at the neighbouring Riu Caribe.

New Dining Concepts

The renovated resort now offers nine restaurants and seven bars, including two new dining concepts.

A new American Country-themed restaurant has been added within the resort’s 24-hour Sports Bar, serving classic American favourites, while the new Candy ice cream parlour offers desserts and frozen treats in a family-friendly setting.

The new venues complement the resort’s existing restaurants, including the international buffet restaurant, Italian restaurant Duomo, Agave Mexican restaurant, Sakura Asian restaurant, Steakhouse and Krystal fusion restaurant.

Guests can also enjoy RIU favourites Pepe’s Food, serving grilled specialties, and Tiki Tako, featuring authentic Mexican-style tacos.

RIU now operates six hotels in Cancun. Across Quintana Roo, the company has 15 properties as part of its portfolio of 23 hotels throughout Mexico.

The company is also renovating the Riu Palace Mexico in Playa del Carmen while constructing its fourth property in Costa Mujeres, the Riu Palace Quintana Roo.

For more information, go to www.riu.com.

Source: Travelweek