John Paul Woolley has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is pleased to announce the appointment of John Woolley as General Manager, welcoming an accomplished global hospitality executive whose career with Marriott International has spanned more than two decades, four continents and some of the company’s most distinguished luxury resorts and hotels.
Woolley joins The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam, where he has served as General Manager since 2023. His appointment marks both a return to The Ritz-Carlton brand, following three years as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, and a return to the Caribbean, a region that has played a formative role throughout his career.
In his new role, Woolley will oversee all operations and strategic direction for the 144-acre resort spanning from the North Sound to the shores of Seven Mile Beach. The resort is home to 369 guestrooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Grand Cayman, and a celebrated culinary program anchored by Blue by Eric Ripert, the Caribbean’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. The resort also holds the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star distinction across the hotel, spa and Blue by Eric Ripert, as well as One MICHELIN Key.
A truly global hospitality leader, Woolley has built his career navigating diverse markets and cultures across North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, he served as Area Director of Sales & Distribution for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. From 2020 to 2022, Woolley led The Ritz-Carlton, Bali as General Manager, following more than four years at the helm of Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak.
His connection to the Caribbean runs equally deep. As Area Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, Woolley oversaw top-line revenue strategy for a portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts across the region. Earlier, as Director of Sales & Marketing for Aruba Marriott Resort, he helped relaunch the property following a $50 million renovation. His career has also included leadership assignments at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas, the opening of Marriott Port-au-Prince in Haiti, JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City and across a portfolio of 23 hotels as Area Director for South Asia.
Woolley will also oversee the continued evolution of the resort’s signature programming, including The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout, the renowned annual culinary celebration hosted by Eric Ripert. Now approaching its 18th year, The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout has become one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated culinary events, bringing together internationally acclaimed chefs and culinary personalities for intimate dinners, tastings, demonstrations and experiences set against the backdrop of Grand Cayman. The 18th Annual Cayman Cookout will take place January 14–17, 2027.
With Woolley at the helm, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman looks ahead to its next chapter, continuing to build upon the resort’s longstanding legacy on Seven Mile Beach.