First Ever RIU All-Inclusive Resort Opens Today In Thailand
My favorite resort brand has finally arrived in Thailand. I have stayed at RIU resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean countless times, and there is one reason I keep going back every single time.
Bang for your buck. There might not be another all-inclusive brand on the planet that delivers a consistent offering at the exact price point that RIU can. Combined with one of my absolute favorite destinations, Phuket, it does not get much better than this.
Oh wait, it does. The new property is a RIU Palace, which is their top-tier brand offering significantly more luxury and elevated service than their standard properties.
Unbeatable Value Right On The Beach
What has completely blown my mind the most is the pricing. Checking the opening rates listed on Expedia today, I am seeing rooms for $156 dollars a night based on double occupancy. That breaks down to 78 bucks per person, per night, for an all-inclusive beachfront stay in Phuket. Literally, it does not get any better.
Let us get right into the property itself, because the layout is incredibly impressive. I am a massive fan of swim-out rooms, and it was the very first photo I noticed when looking at the resort layout. I can easily see myself sipping an ice-cold beverage while lounging in my own private pool, which looks to be situated just fifty feet from the crashing waves of the ocean.
Why Mai Khao Beats The Chaos Of Patong
The next big thing I needed to figure out was the exact location. I have done the drive from Phuket International Airport all the way down to Patong Beach, which is the traditional nightlife mecca of the island, and that is a brutally long ride after a major international flight. The great news is that the new Hotel Riu Palace Phuket is located in Mai Khao, a short twenty minute drive from the airport terminals.
Building this massive 504-room resort on Mai Khao Beach instead of Patong was a very deliberate and strategic decision. The RIU model thrives on creating entirely self-contained mega resorts. They target guests who want to stay on the property to maximize their vacation value, rather than tourists who prefer stepping out into a crowded city center for street food and packed nightclubs.
Patong Beach is incredibly crowded, heavily developed, and has virtually no space left to build a brand new five-star footprint. Moving further north to Mai Khao allowed the brand to secure a massive private beachfront right on the Andaman Sea.
The property is bordered by the pristine Sirinat National Park, an area famous for untouched nature and sea turtle nesting grounds. The entire focus here is an idyllic, zero-stress paradise for travelers looking to completely escape the chaos instead of being caught directly in the center of it.
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Six Restaurants And 24-Hour Service
This resort is bringing the brand’s renowned 24-hour all-inclusive model to Phuket, setting it completely apart from the local competition where a full all-inclusive package is still incredibly rare.
The culinary experience has been specifically crafted to bridge authentic Thai gastronomy with international favorites across six distinct dining venues. Guests have access to “Chantra” for live cooking stations and themed buffets, “Ruen Siam” for local Thai flavors, “Il Gusto” for Italian cuisine, a dedicated premium Steakhouse, and the casual “Pepe’s Food” grill.
The beverage program is equally massive, featuring seven separate bars spread across the property, including a vibrant swim up pool bar, a modern sports bar, and a dedicated coffee and ice cream parlor.
Elevating The Stay With Elite Club
For those who want to completely elevate their trip, the resort features forty nine rooms designated under the highly exclusive Elite Club by RIU category.
Booking an Elite Club room is how you secure those incredible Swim Up suites with a private pool right on your terrace.
The upgrade also grants you an independent reception area for a personalized check in process, exclusive access to a dedicated Elite Club restaurant and pool, an upgraded minibar stocked with premium international brand drinks, and a specialized aromatherapy service.
The sprawling outdoor facilities include a total of six swimming pools, ensuring that the massive footprint never feels crowded.
The property also features a comprehensive Renova Spa offering extensive massage treatments, a fully equipped gym, and a beautiful open air wooden palapa designed for outdoor wellness sessions in direct contact with nature.
To honor the local culture, RIU also built a meditation and prayer area in front of the spa building to seamlessly blend the property with the traditions of Thailand.
The doors officially open today, September 7, 2026, marking a major milestone for the hotel chain and a massive win for travelers looking for an affordable, high-luxury escape in Southeast Asia.
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