kabarsula The rise of RIU Plaza: Why travel advisors should know the brand bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Since launching in 2010, RIU Plaza has built a global portfolio designed to put business and leisure travellers right at the heart of the action. 

Historically known for its beachfront resorts, RIU Hotels & Resorts has spent the past 16 years building a holiday proposition that swaps the sand for city streets, landmark attractions and prime urban addresses.

Launched in 2010 with Riu Plaza Panama, the group’s urban hotel brand was designed to bring RIU’s established hospitality credentials into major metropolitan centres, catering to business travellers and city-break visitors alike.

Today, Riu Plaza has a growing presence across the Americas and Europe, with hotels in destinations including New York, Madrid, London, Chicago and Toronto. The strategy reflects a broader ambition to establish the brand in cities that attract visitors year-round, whether they’re travelling for meetings, sightseeing or a combination of the two.

For travel advisors, that breadth of destinations offers an expanding collection of centrally located accommodation options, supported by a consistent brand experience.

A city-first strategy

Following the opening of Riu Plaza Panama, the brand arrived in Guadalajara in 2011, before making its European debut with Riu Plaza Berlin in 2015.

A year later, Riu Plaza New York Times Square marked a significant milestone, establishing the collection in one of the world’s most recognisable urban destinations.

The following years brought further expansion, including Hotel Riu Plaza España in Madrid in 2019, housed in the landmark Edificio España overlooking Gran Vía, and Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

More recently, the collection has strengthened its presence in major international cities, with Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square, Riu Plaza London Victoria and Riu Plaza Chicago adding to its portfolio.

In 2025, the brand expanded into Canada with Riu Plaza Toronto, located in the city’s Entertainment District, extending its reach into another major North American market.

The result is a portfolio that spans established business centres and popular leisure destinations, giving advisors more opportunities to match accommodation to a client’s itinerary.

Business meets leisure

While location is central to the Riu Plaza proposition, the collection is designed to serve travellers whose needs extend beyond a convenient postcode.

Modern meeting facilities, Wi-Fi and workspaces cater to corporate guests, while comfortable rooms, versatile dining options and fitness facilities support those visiting for leisure. The combination also suits travellers who blend business with personal time, or extend a work trip to explore a destination.

Although Riu Plaza hotels are not all-inclusive resorts, the collection offers the accessibility and amenities that can make planning a city stay simpler.

Breakfast buffets are included in each stay, with some properties also offering buffet dinner services and sleek lobby and rooftop bars to unwind in.

London and New York in focus

The brand’s expansion continues in 2026 with the opening of Riu Plaza London The Westminster, adding a second property in the UK capital following the success of Riu Plaza London Victoria.

The latest addition gives travellers another option for exploring London, a destination that combines major cultural attractions with significant corporate and financial activity.

Looking ahead, Riu Plaza Broadway Times Square is planned to open in New York in 2027. The proposed property would bring the brand’s Manhattan portfolio to three major hotels, further strengthening its presence in a market where location can play a decisive role in accommodation choices.

A growing collection for advisors

As Riu Plaza continues to expand, its proposition is becoming increasingly relevant to advisors building itineraries around major cities, whether for a standalone short break, a business trip or as part of a longer multi-destination journey.

With properties in key metropolitan hubs across North America and Europe, the collection offers a recognisable hospitality brand in locations that help travellers make the most of their time on the ground.