RIU repositions Riu Touareg as family resort after major renovation - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

RIU Hotels & Resorts has reopened the Riu Touareg on the Cape Verdean island of Boa Vista following an extensive renovation that has transformed both the property and its market positioning. The five-star, 24-hour all-inclusive resort now focuses almost entirely on families, replacing the previous concept that divided parts of the hotel between family and adults-only areas. The quiet pool is the only facility that remains reserved for guests aged over 18.

All 1,181 rooms have been redesigned with new furnishings and finishes, renovated bathrooms, upgraded climate-control systems and other technical improvements. Public areas, pools, restaurants and leisure facilities have also undergone major changes. The Riu Touareg originally opened in 2011 and was RIU's fourth hotel in Cape Verde and its second on Boa Vista.

The reopening also underlines the importance of Cape Verde within RIU's resort portfolio. The Spanish hotel group now operates six properties in the archipelago – three on Sal and three on Boa Vista – with a combined 4,679 rooms. The scale of the Riu Touareg renovation therefore represents more than a refurbishment of an individual property, strengthening RIU's family-oriented product in one of its established leisure destinations.

More space for families

The shift towards families is reflected in several of the newly created and renovated facilities. The children's club and playground have been completely upgraded, while the resort has added the Candy ice cream parlour and café. Its three main swimming pools have been remodelled and surrounded by larger sunbathing areas.

RIU has also expanded the fitness and wellness offering. The gym is larger, the spa has been renovated and the RIU Fit and RIU Land programmes have been updated. Other changes include the consolidation of the resort's souvenir shops into one larger retail area.

Food and beverage facilities have received a substantial overhaul. The main Morabeza restaurant now has a larger air-conditioned indoor section as well as its terrace, while the Asian Kabuki restaurant has moved to a larger location. Kulinarium has also been expanded.

The existing Da Marcello Italian restaurant remains part of the selection, while the former snack restaurant has been transformed into Bereber, a themed and air-conditioned steakhouse. A new American Country sports bar and restaurant occupies the space previously used for the nightclub and karaoke, and two Pepe's Food grill stations have been added around the main pool areas.

In total, guests can now choose between six restaurants and nine bars, ranging from the Atlas lobby bar and Sabura plaza bar to several pool bars and a swim-up facility.

Six RIU hotels in Cape Verde

The transformation of the Riu Touareg comes as RIU continues to maintain a substantial presence in Cape Verde. Its six hotels across Sal and Boa Vista give the company 4,679 rooms in the destination, making the archipelago an important part of its international leisure portfolio.

The renovation also changes the role of one of the group's largest properties in the country. Rather than maintaining separate concepts for different guest segments within the same resort, the Riu Touareg is now positioned as a comprehensive family all-inclusive product.

For Boa Vista, the reopening returns more than 1,100 comprehensively renovated rooms to the market together with expanded restaurant, leisure and children's facilities. The investment strengthens the island's large-scale resort offering while giving RIU a more clearly defined family product within its Cape Verde portfolio.

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