Riu Dubai resort and splash park opens at Nakheel’s Deira Islands

Riu Dubai, Nakheel’s 800-room joint venture with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts, is now open at Deira Islands, adding a new dimension to Dubai’s hospitality offering as the emirate’s first 4-star, 24-hour all-inclusive beachfront resort.  

Riu Dubai, Nakheel’s first hospitality joint venture and the first attraction to open at Deira Islands, was inaugurated by Nakheel Chairman, HE Mohammed Al-Shaibani and Luis Riu, Chief Executive Officer of RIU Hotels & Resorts.

RIU’s first resort in the Middle East and its 100th property worldwide, Riu Dubai has 800 rooms and suites, most with a sea view, and an abundance of dining and leisure facilities. There are 10 food and beverage outlets, a splash park, three swimming pools, two children’s pools, water sports, a fitness centre, beauty salon and children’s club.  

HE Mohammed Al-Shaibani, Chairman of Nakheel, said: “Nakheel has a long, successful history of creating and delivering a diverse range of tourism and leisure projects in line with government goals, and I am delighted to see our first hospitality joint venture come to fruition. The opening of Riu Dubai is a key milestone for Nakheel, Deira Islands and Dubai, and underlines our commitment to partnering with reputable, international brands to bring new and unique tourism concepts to the emirate.”

Luis Riu, Chief Executive Officer of RIU Hotels & Resorts, said: “The opening of the hotel Riu Dubai is a major milestone in our hotel chain’s international expansion, because this is our first hotel in the Middle East. This is a unique opportunity to offer all our experience with the 24-hour all-inclusive product – so popular among our European and American customers – in a completely new destination. We undertook this enterprise with Nakheel, the best partner you could imagine thanks to its extensive experience in master developments and large-scale destination projects, and its firm commitment to Dubai’s tourism sector. We are confident that Riu Dubai will be a huge success among our traditional European customers and those who will get to experience our brand for the first time.”

Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), commented:  “With Dubai continuing to welcome back international tourists, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to further improve the competitiveness of our tourism industry, in line with making Dubai the world’s most visited and most preferred destination, as envisioned by our visionary leadership.  The Riu Dubai is yet another development of distinction by our key partner Nakheel that will contribute towards the growing momentum in the hospitality sector and add to the city’s diversity of offerings designed to enhance the global appeal of Dubai as a must-visit destination.”

The opening of Riu Dubai coincides with the start of UAE’s peak travel and events period, which includes the festive season and the world-famous Dubai Shopping Festival.  

Riu Dubai is also geared up to welcome residents of Dubai and the wider UAE for staycations and day visits, during which guests can enjoy the splash park, water sports, beach access and more.  

 Deira Islands, Nakheel’s new, 15 square kilometre waterfront city, has added 40 kilometres of coastline to Dubai, and is transforming the emirate’s oldest and most traditional trading hub into a world class destination for living, tourism, retail and leisure.