BATI BLEKI BUZZ, November 22nd, 2015

Press weekend at the Riu Palace Aruba, pampers members of the local media

Aruba’s press members were invited for an all-inclusive overnight at the Riu Palace Aruba recently, to experience the resort following a 25 million dollar renovation. As you recall, the old familiar Palm Beach hotel, re-opened under the RIU RESORTS flag in 2007. It now shows off luxurious, elegant and modern decor, combined with new services and upgraded facilities.

Press members checked in at 6pm, and were greeted in the lobby with a glass of champagne and a warm bonbini by Daniele Camponovo Aruba’s Operation Manager, General Manager Richard Velasco and Sales Manager Enrique Llinas. Local pianist Victor Camacho entertained in the lobby bar during check in time. As they reached their respective rooms, press members were surprised with bouquets of fresh flowers, a chilled bottle of champagne, an artfully carved fresh fruit platter, petit fours and other deluxe amenities.

Having freshened up, press members were escorted on a property tour which included a Junior Suite with indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi tubs, and a viewing of the resort’s various restaurants, the ocean front Nautilus steakhouse, the upscale Krystal fine dining, the Oriental fusion Sayuri, and the traditional Italian trattoria, Milano.

According to Camponovo and Velasco the interiors of the newly renovated Riu Palace Aruba are now contemporary and bright, with more ocean front views and larger windows, a departure from the classic Spanish/European look of early years. The concept is now based on clean, uncluttered lines with vibrant colours in the public spaces. The resort’s 450 rooms have also been updated with a modern and comfortable approach paired with the latest technology, with flat-screen satellite TV, electronic safes, and free WiFi. The beach front enjoys the addition of a sun terrace and a new infinity pool overlooking the crystal waters of Palm Beach.

At the end of the property tour cocktails were served at Barry’s Lounge, under the stars, as assorted members of staff were introduced, including representatives of diverse departments from housekeeping to kitchen and management.

A special formal table with a festive flower arrangement was reserved for the press group at Don Nicholas, the main dining room fully renovated in a lime-green motif, where the journalists and photographers enjoyed a huge selection of international buffet specialties. After dinner press members were invited to visit Cool Casino and/or both showrooms at either the Riu Palace or Riu Antillas.

RIU Hotels & Resorts headquartered at Palma de Mallorca, is a privately owned international hotel chain, founded by the Riu family in 1953 as a small vacation enterprise. The company is still held today by the family and managed by members of the third generation. Almost 70% of RIU Hotels and Resorts are all-inclusive. With the opening of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own brand of city hotels called Riu Plaza. The chain had recently opened its first Riu Plaza in New York. With more than 100 hotels in 19 countries, Riu welcomes over four million guests annually and provides jobs for more than 27,813 employees. The chain is currently ranked the world’s 30th, and one of the Caribbean’s most popular. It is the largest hotel chain in Spain in terms of revenue, and the third largest in number of rooms.

In Aruba, in addition to Riu Palace Aruba the chain also operates the luxurious Riu Palace Antillas, the first hotel on the island exclusively reserved for adults 18 and older which offers all-inclusive service 24 hours a day.

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November 21, 2015
Rona Coster