True to form, Luis Riu Guell, CEO of Riu Hotels and Resorts, did a complete site inspection the day before the new Riu Palace Pacifico opened in October on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. It is the third all-inclusive Riu hotel in the Puerto Vallarta area and the first from the chain's upscale Palace brand of properties.
Just nine miles from Puerto Vallarta's airport and an equal distance from the city's famed Malecon seaside promenade, the well-appointed hotel also lies close to many new attractions in the Nayarit region.
"Mexico has a lot to offer its guests: good airlift, food, music, beaches, very friendly people and [proximity] to the U.S. and Canada," said Riu. "We always enter a new destination with a Club or Classic brand; once they are successfully established, we are ready to introduce our high-end Palace."
Lay of the land
The 445 junior and senior suites occupy two eight-story wings stretching in a U shape from an expansive lobby toward pristine Flamingos Beach and the Bay of Banderas. Viewed from the beach, floors rise in step formation, to accommodate Jacuzzis on open balconies.
Spiral balcony staircases from four corner penthouse suites reach arched aeries containing private Jacuzzis under domed blue ceilings glowing with stars.
Inside the building, entrances off a covered porch lead to restaurants on one side, bars and the theater on the other.
In addition to a spacious buffet restaurant, guests can enjoy specialty dining requiring reservations but no supplements. Choices are Italian, Mexican, Japanese and the signature Krystal fusion fare.
Two reservations can be made upon arrival, and two more after they are used, meaning it's possible to dine a la carte for an entire week's stay.
Sports Bar snack stands are open 24 hours, as is room service with a limited menu.
Around the swim-up pool bar, extra stools and tables sit in the water at each corner of a narrow boardwalk frame, used by servers to reach patrons desiring a more intimate setting.
Along with Riu's usual in-room amenities, units in this more spacious Palace brand property come with robe and slippers, a Jacuzzi tub, a laptop-size safe and upgraded bath toiletries. Suites have step-down living rooms, air-conditioning and a fan.
Although spa services are extra, guests can reserve the on-site sauna, steam room and whirlpools without charge -- and without booking a spa treatment. My excellent, and very necessary, Swedish massage worked its magic well.
Room rates vary according to wholesalers. In general, Riu's all-inclusive Mexico and Caribbean resort rates are from $75 per person, per night in the off season to $125 in season at Riu Classic properties, and from $100 to $195 per person, per night at Riu Palace resorts.
When asked to what he attributed his success, Riu pointed to family heritage.
"Riu Hotels and Resorts was started by my grandfather. My father took over from him, and now my sister and I are in charge," he said. "We hope our children will follow us.
"It is this feeling of family that we try to instill in the operation of our resorts, through staff training, entertainment, amenities, and a general friendly outpouring," he added.
"Our slogan -- 'We're all about you!' -- reinforces that underlying theme."
Through a $2.5 million promotion budget, selling assistance for travel agents includes trade shows, sales calls, across-the-board advertising, online marketing, webinars, seminars, familiarization trips and incentives.
Ricardo Luque, who is in charge of marketing and business development, emphasized the importance of travel agents to Riu's success.
"Closing figures [for 2007] showed 94% bookings from travel agents, strengthening the theory that consumers scan websites but book through agents," he said. "Our website will soon provide agents both land- and air-booking ability."
Riu partners with most major wholesalers and runs year-round charters from Apple Vacations, with limited summer service.
Riu Partner Club
Luque advises agents to become Riu Partner Club members and to enroll their clients in the Riu Class loyalty program for additional perks: discounts on spa and merchandise, newsletters, a point system toward free nights and more.
First-time Riu Class guests receive a gift signed from their travel agents.
"We are here to help in whatever way we can," he added. "You can request a visit from our sales staff at any time."
For full details on programs, agents can visit Riu's website and click on the Riu Class tab at the top of the page and the Riu Partners tab at the bottom of page.
To earn a free night, agents can submit a comment at www.riuthisiswhy.com on why they recommend Riu resorts to clients. If their entry is chosen, they win one free night and become eligible to win a five-night vacation. Best entries are posted in Riu trade magazine ads.
For more information or to book, contact Riu at (888) 748-4990 or www.riu.com.