Riu Continues Trend of All-Inclusive Chains Buying up Existing Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean

Riu Palace St. Martin's outdoor pool. The hotel opens in June. 

Riu Hotels & Resorts’ recent purchase of The Radisson Blu on St. Martin kept alive a recent trend of all-inclusive chains snatching up existing luxury resorts in the Caribbean and converting them to fully all-inclusive resorts.

In 2012, Sandals Resorts International purchased LaSource in Grenada and in turn opened Sandals LaSource Grenada, perhaps the most impressive Sandals resort to date, in December of last year. 

Also in 2012, Playa Hotels and Resorts purchased the five-diamond Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is a 5,000 acre ocean-front luxury resort. The newly named Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is slated to open in the fall. 

The Riu purchase represents a $45 million investment. Riu Palace St. Martin will welcome its first clients in June. The new Riu hotel has 252 rooms and a great location at an exclusive cove with white sand and turquoise waters. The property will be a fully all-inclusive resort. The Raddisson Blu had an all-inclusive option but was not an all-inclusive resort. 

Riu Palace St. Martin offers several restaurants, bars, swimming pools, sports and aquatic activities, a mini-club for the little ones, a complete spa and marina, as well as places to hold events and weddings. 

St. Martin has become a highly popular international destination. Most Caribbean cruises make a stop here, and the island offers a range of high-quality restaurants, hotels and leisure activities. 

Visit www.riu.com.