RIU Palace Aquarelle ready to open its doors

Falmouth's emergence as a major tourist resort town is poised to be further enhanced with the opening of the RIU Hotels & Resorts' new Aquarelle Hotel five-star property, which will join the Trelawny hotel landscape on May 4.

"The RIU Palace Aquarelle will be the seventh establishment of the hotel chain in Jamaica after 23 years of operating here. We have, indeed, invested in renovations, but a brand-new hotel is a totally different project," said Frank Sondern, RIU's regional director of operations, during a recent media walkthrough.

With 753 rooms, the RIU Aquarelle resort will boost the room stock of the seaside town but also offer guests a "luxurious and unforgettable" vacation experience.

"It is ambitious, exciting, a challenge, and more so because it is a new destination. This five-star resort will feature swim-up rooms, adding a touch of exclusivity and indulgence to the guest experience," said Sondern.

According to Sondern, one of the standout features of the resort is its commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, pointing out that the resort will be equipped with 800 solar panels, harnessing the abundant Caribbean sunshine to produce an impressive 470,000 KW/h per year.

Niurka Garcia-Linton, director of RIU Sales in Jamaica, said that the Aquarelle has accounted for 27 per cent of the bookings from loyalty sales the hotel recently did for the upcoming summer.

"We are looking at the opportunity for the local market to come and enjoy the product that we have in Jamaica. The Aquarelle is a five-star, all-inclusive 24-hour resort with a beautiful white bay beach. What makes it special is that it is the first hotel of the chain to offer swim-up rooms located on an upper level, offering both privacy and privileged views," Garcia-Linton added.

With the addition of the RIU Palace Aquarelle, RIU Hotels and Resorts will now boast a record 4,274 rooms across Jamaica.