The Riu Dubai hotel has just opened its doors, marking a new milestone in the RIU chain’s history and bringing a new concept to hospitality in Dubai, UAE. It is the Spanish chain’s first hotel in the Middle East, and it is the emirate’s first 4-star all-inclusive, beachfront family hotel. The project is the result of a partnership between RIU Hotels & Resorts and world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of world-famous, innovative developments including The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s new coastal city, Deira Islands. In adding this new hotel to RIU’s portfolio, it also adds a new destination, bringing the chain’s total number of hotels up to 100 in 20 countries around the world.

To launch the new hotel Riu Dubai, the heads of the two companies presided over the opening ceremony held yesterday afternoon, 9th December. H. E. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Nakheel, and Mr. Luis Riu, Chief Executive Officer of RIU Hotels & Resorts, cut the ceremonial ribbon before taking a tour of the hotel facilities and enjoying a gala dinner accompanied by their respective senior management teams.

Mr. Luis Riu, Chief Executive Officer of RIU Hotels & Resorts, said: “The opening of the hotel Riu Dubai is a major milestone in our hotel chain’s international expansion, because this is our first hotel in the Middle East. This is a unique opportunity to offer all our experience with the 24-hour all-inclusive product, which is so popular among our European and American customers, but this time in a completely new destination. We undertook this enterprise with Nakheel, which is the best partner you could imagine thanks to its extensive experience in master developments and large-scale destination projects and its firm commitment to Dubai’s tourism sector in particular. We are confident that Riu Dubai will be a huge success among our traditional European customers and also those who will get to experience our brand for the first time.”

H.E. Mohammed Al-Shaibani, Chairman of Nakheel, said: “Nakheel has a long, successful history of creating and delivering a diverse range of tourism and leisure projects in line with government goals, and I am delighted to see our first hospitality joint venture come to fruition. The opening of Riu Dubai is a key milestone for Nakheel, Deira Islands and Dubai, and underlines our commitment to partnering with reputable, international brands to bring new and unique tourism concepts to the emirate.”

The new Riu Dubai is a large hotel with 800 rooms, located on the beachfront. Its striking white façade makes an immediate impression and its modern, light-filled spaces and its comprehensive facilities make it the ideal location for a perfect family holiday. Designed as a place to enjoy Dubai’s warm, sunny climate and endless attractions, the hotel offers two children’s pools and three large pools for adults with a broad terrace with direct access to a large beach. The hotel also offers the new ‘Splash’ water park, with slides and other attractions for adults and children alike.

The hotel has four restaurants. The main restaurant, ‘Al-Ándalus’, will offer RIU’s famous buffet of international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or guests can choose from the other dining options: Asian cuisine at ‘Spices’, Italian at ‘The Palm’ and Lebanese at ‘The Moon’. There are also six bars at Riu Dubai: ‘The Pearl’ is the elegant lobby bar with a large terrace, ‘Shamal’ opens in the evenings to present shows on its stage, the ‘Sports’ bar is open 24 hours and offers a continental breakfast, ‘Spike’ is also open in the evenings for guests to enjoy the open air after dinner, and ‘Coral’ and ‘Oasis’ are in the pool area and offer swim-up bars.

The 24-hour All Inclusive by RIU service is highly valued by RIU guests because it includes absolutely all meals, snacks and drinks offered at all the hotel’s bars and restaurants, without limits or schedules, as well as enjoyment of all the facilities and services such as the water parks, day and nighttime entertainment, and access to the gym and spa, where only the beauty and wellbeing treatments carry a charge.

The 15 square kilometre Deira Islands is set to transform Dubai’s most tradicional trading hub into a world-class destination for living, leisure and tourism. The project has added 40 kilometres, including 21 kilometre of beach, to Dubai’s coast. Dubai adds a modern, vibrant and exotic destination to RIU’s global portfolio.

About Nakheel:
Dubai-based Nakheel is a world-leading master developer whoseinnovative, landmark projects form an iconic portfolio of master communities and residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments that are pivotal to realising Dubai’s vision. Nakheel’swaterfront projects, including the world-famous, award-winningPalm Jumeirah, have added more than 300 kilometres to Dubai’s original, 70km coastline, paving the way for the development ofhundreds of seafront homes, resorts, hotels and attractions.

Nakheel’s master developments span 15,000 hectares, accommodate nearly 300,000 people and provide a growing range of destinations, attractions and facilities for Dubai’s citizens, residents and tourists. They include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village, Al Furjan, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Jebel Ali Village, Dragon City, Nad Al Sheba Villas, Warsan Village, International City and the upcoming Deira Islands – a new destination for tourism, living and leisure at Dubai’s oldest, most traditional trading hub.