Riu Hotels & Resorts, a family owned business, was founded in 1953 in Mallorca, Spain. Ranked as the 27th largest hotel chain in the world by Hotels Magazine (2007), the company operates more than 100 hotels worldwide with 27 hotels in the Americas region. Worldwide, RIU employs 20,000 people in 18 countries on three continents, offers 35,000 rooms and serves 2.7 million guests annually.

Since 1991, Riu Hotels & Resorts has had hotels in the Americas and Caribbean. As of December 2007, the company offers 27 hotels in the region. They are located in the Dominican Republic (8), Florida(1), Mexico (13), Jamaica(3), the Bahamas (1) and Aruba(1).  All RIU resorts are located on beaches in resort destinations. RIU hotels are known for their  personalized service, quality, modern amenities, cuisine and hospitality.      

Krystal Dining Rooms Opening at Riu Palace Resorts

New Fusion Restaurant Concept blends 50 years of history,

local ingredients and regional flavors

Miami, Florida – April 2008 – Riu Hotels & Resorts is introducing Krystal, a gourmet a la carte restaurant featuring fusion cuisine, at all of their luxury Riu Palace resort locations. RIU has already opened Krystal restaurants in all Riu Palace resorts in Mexico and the new Riu Palace Pacífico, opening this October in Riviera Nayarit, will offer a Krystal restaurant as well. RIU will gradually be incorporating the concept into all its Palace hotels in the Caribbean throughout 2008.

“The advantage of working with Riu is the ability to take more than 50 years of experience and knowledge and develop programs that cater to our guests. That is what we have done with Krystal. We are blending Riu’s knowledge and experience with local ingredients, regional flavors to satisfy and please the appetites and palettes of our guests,” stated Carles Mádrenas, a member of RIU Hotels & Resorts’ board of directors and coordinator of the Krystal culinary concept.

Krystal combines contemporary décor and fine dining, offering innovative menus featuring fusion (a blend of flavors) and crossover (a combination of ingredients from different countries) cuisine. Developed by top Michelin-star Spanish chefs, menus focus on fresh, top-quality ingredients prepared and presented according to the latest trends in international haute cuisine. Smoked salmon with avocado mousse and fine herb mayonnaise; vegetable ravioli with shrimp in a Chardonnay wine sauce; roasted salmon with pineapple chutney; lion of lamb served with vegetable compote and Madagascar pepper, Chilean sea bass with stewed tomato and basil foam are just a few of the temptations offered at Krystal.

“Though reservations are required and guests order off a menu, dining at Krystal is still part of the all-inclusive package,” stated Mádrenas. Krystal impeccably blends the cuisine and atmosphere of the restaurant, where the lighting, décor and ambiance flow with the straightforward presentation, attentive service and regional flavors of its creations.

Krystal restaurants are currently open in all Riu Palace resorts in Mexico, which include Riu Palace Riviera Maya and Riu Palace México on the Riviera Maya, Riu Palace Las Américas in Cancun, Riu Palace Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas and the new Riu Palace Pacífico in Riviera Nayarit (Puerto Vallarta area) will open this October with Krystal as one of its many dining options. Krystal dining rooms will be opening at all Riu Palace hotels in the Caribbean throughout 2008.

About Riu Hotels & Resorts in the Americas and Caribbean

Since 1991, Riu Hotels & Resorts has had hotels in the Americas and Caribbean. As of December 2007, the company offers 27 hotels in the region. They are located in the Dominican Republic (8), Florida(1), Mexico (13), Jamaica(3), the Bahamas (1) and Aruba(1).  All RIU resorts are located on beaches in resort destinations. RIU hotels are known for their quality, modern amenities, cuisine and hospitality.      

About Riu Hotels & Resorts

Riu Hotels & Resorts, a family owned business, was founded in 1953 in Mallorca, Spain. Ranked as the 27th largest hotel chain in the world by Hotels Magazine (2007), the company operates more than 100 hotels worldwide with 27 hotels in the Americas region. Worldwide, RIU employs 20,000 people in 17 countries on three continents, offers 35,000 rooms and serves 2.7 million guests annually. For more information about Riu Hotels & Resorts visit www.Riu.com or contact your travel professional.

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