RIU Hotels & Resorts continues its international expansion with the opening of the Riu Palace Phuket, its very first property in Thailand. The Spanish group, already established across the Americas, Europe and Africa, takes a further step in its rollout across new international markets. The hotel welcomed its first guests on 4 September 2026.
A strategic foothold on the Andaman coast
The Riu Palace Phuket is located on the north-western coast of the island, directly on Mai Khao Beach. The property borders Sirinat National Park, offering guests an unspoilt natural setting away from Phuket’s more built-up areas.
In terms of connectivity, the hotel is 16 kilometres from Phuket International Airport and 40 kilometres from the island’s historic centre, easing transfers for international guests while keeping them within reach of the destination’s main points of interest.
An extensive dining and leisure offering
The property combines traditional Thai gastronomy with international cuisine across six restaurants: the main buffet with live cooking, “Chantra”; the Thai restaurant “Ruen Siam”; the Italian venue “Il Gusto”; a dedicated steakhouse; the casual grill “Pepe’s Food”; and an exclusive restaurant reserved for Elite Club guests.
This is complemented by seven themed bars, including the “Mai Khao” lobby bar, the “Siang Sawan” lounge bar, the “Khon” plaza bar, a sports bar, the “Capuchino” coffee and ice cream lounge, and the “Sabai” pool bar, which includes a swim-up bar.
504 rooms and a premium Elite Club concept
The property has 504 rooms spread across several buildings of up to four storeys, connected by covered walkways. This configuration follows on from the group’s recently opened large-scale beach resorts, such as the Riu Ventura in Cancún.
A block of 49 rooms falls under the Elite Club by RIU category, a premium service that includes an independent reception with personalised check-in, an exclusive restaurant and pool, a selection of international-brand beverages, and an enhanced minibar. Some Elite Club rooms, in the Swim Up category, feature a private terrace pool.
Wellness, entertainment and cultural integration
The hotel has six outdoor pools, including two for children and one exclusively for Elite Club guests. The wellness area includes a Renova spa equipped with a gym, a hammam, a hair salon and a full treatment menu.
The property also features a meditation, prayer and offering point located in front of the spa, as well as an open-air wooden palapa for outdoor massages near the dining area. Entertainment is built around the RiuLand kids’ club, the RiuFit sports programme and a daily evening entertainment schedule.
A firm environmental commitment
On the environmental front, the resort incorporates clean self-generated energy facilities via solar panels installed on two buildings in the service area.
The property also has a rainwater harvesting system on its roofs, which feeds the irrigation system for its gardens and green spaces.
RIU Hotels & Resorts, a family chain in international growth
Founded in Majorca in 1953 by the Riu family, now led by its third generation, the chain has historically focused on leisure hospitality. More than 74% of its properties offer the All Inclusive by RIU service, a positioning reinforced since the launch of its Riu Plaza urban hotel line in 2010.
The group now operates 101 hotels in 22 countries and welcomed 6.8 million guests in 2025, with a workforce of 38,955 employees. RIU currently ranks 40th among the world’s hotel chains and 3rd in Spain by number of rooms.
The arrival in Thailand adds to a series of recent openings by the group across several continents, as Phuket confirms its status as a hotel destination favoured by international investors, amid major integrated resort projects and new brand signings on the island.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
RIU Hotels & Resorts enters Thailand with the Riu Palace Phuket
First RIU property in Thailand, opened September 4, 2026, on Mai Khao Beach
504-room, 5-star, 24-hour all-inclusive resort adjacent to Sirinat National Park
49 Elite Club by RIU rooms, including Swim Up units with private pools
Six restaurants, seven themed bars and six swimming pools onsite
Solar panels and rainwater harvesting system for onsite sustainability
Part of RIU’s global portfolio: 101 hotels in 22 countries, 6.8 million guests in 2025
