A global hotel chain just opened up their first ever Canadian location in Toronto

A worldwide chain of hotels with locations across the globe has finally opened the doors to their first ever Canadian location in the city of Toronto.

Riu is a chain of hotels and resorts that just opened Hotel Riu Plaza in Toronto. The chain has around 100 hotels in over 20 countries around the world.

The chain is named after the Riu family that started it all in Mallorca, Spain back in 1953 with a small hotel in Playa del Palma. The third and fourth generations of the Riu family still operate the chain of hotels and resorts to this day.

The four-star hotel has 352 rooms spread across 23 floors. The project the hotel is situated in consists of a pair of two skyscrapers that are both 49 storeys high. The rest of the project aside from the hotel is meant for residential use.

Hotel Riu Plaza in Toronto is located right next to 18th-century homes that are preserved so they’re historically protected, and the base of the hotel is designed to reflect that and fit in well with the surrounding area. Look skyward, though, and the design departs from there with a more contemporary and modern glass facade.

When it comes to the inside of the hotel, however, it’s Riu’s signature contemporary look all the way, with lots of sleek touches like neutral tones and matte chrome finishes. The main lobby and the lobby bar stocked with snacks and drinks are located on the ground floor. On the second floor where the restaurant is located guests can dine on the signature full breakfast buffet included with every room rate that Riu has become known for.

The hotel also comes equipped with a fitness centre that’s open 24 hours a day and a meeting room with a capacity of 40.

Hotel Riu Plaza is designed to be energy efficient, with measures in places to save water and reduce waste. They even have special cogeneration plants that simultaneously generate both electrical and thermal energy, which is supposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Riu Plaza Toronto is the 12th establishment in Riu’s urban line which is already operating in Panama City, Guadalajara (Mexico), Madrid, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Berlin, London, and Dublin. Riu is currently also at work on a hotel in New York.

The new Riu location in Toronto is centrally located in the Entertainment District, near lots of major landmarks including the Princess of Wales Theatre, David Pecaut Square, Rogers Centre, and the iconic CN Tower. The location of the new hotel also offers direct access to public transportation options.

Hotel Riu Plaza in Toronto is now open at 30 Widmer St.