RIU Hotels & ResortsEvery resort, ranked
RIU is the Mallorca-born giant of high-volume all-inclusive: enormous beachfront properties across Mexico, the Caribbean, the Canaries, and beyond, priced to make a week away feel attainable. The formula is unapologetic — big buffets, in-room liquor dispensers and stocked minibars, 24-hour snacks, pool scenes with real energy — and executed with a consistency that explains the brand's army of repeat guests.
The internal ladder is simple: Riu Classic properties are the value core; Riu Palace is the upscale line with better rooms and more à la carte dining; Riu Republica in Punta Cana is the adults-only party flagship. You trade intimacy and top-shelf polish for price and energy — a fair trade if you make it knowingly, which is what the per-property scores below are for.
5 resorts in our catalog · ★ 4.4 average guest rating · 22,402 reviews analyzed · How we score · Last reviewed July 2026
Where RIU scores strongest
Chain averages across the RIU resorts we've scored.
RIU resorts, ranked
Book RIU if…
- Budget-conscious groups and families who want maximum resort per dollar
- Party-leaning trips — the pool energy is a feature, not a bug
- Travelers who prefer a lively big resort over a hushed boutique
Know before you book
- Buffets carry the dining at Classic properties — pick a Palace if à la carte matters to you
- These are busy resorts; quiet corners exist but you'll have to find them
RIU, head-to-head
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Riu and Riu Palace?
Riu Palace is the brand's upscale tier — better rooms, more à la carte restaurants, and a more polished feel — while Classic properties maximize value. Both run the same generous 24-hour all-inclusive plan.
Are RIU resorts party resorts?
They're lively rather than uniformly party-focused. Riu Republica (adults-only, Punta Cana) is the true party flagship; family properties have energy at the pools but plenty of families around.
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