Aimbridge Hospitality announces that it will open two new resorts at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas, as part of an extensive $350 million rebuild project on the property. The two resorts, including The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef and The Seaborn at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection, are expected to open in the Fall of 2022.
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Cotton Bay Holdings to introduce a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. A highly personalized leisure experience that blends intuitive service with local design and stunning natural landscapes, the resort joins an exclusive collection of only five Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties around the world.
Last week, Meliá Hotels International, in joint venture with Falcon's Beyond Global, has announced extensive plans to build and develop a world-class theme park, Katmandu™, slated to open fall 2022 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and a premier entertainment, dining, and retail destination.
Olympus Ventures, the family office of Richard M. Schulze, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy and one of the world's foremost entrepreneurs, has acquired ownership of The Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt, which encompasses CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and The Reef by CuisinArt.
Archipelago International, Southeast Asia's largest privately owned and independent hotel operator, today announced that it has been awarded the management contracts for a further two hotels in Cuba. The first of these is the iconic Panorama Hotel in Havana. To be rebranded as the ASTON Panorama Hotel, the property, which first opened its doors in 2002, comprises 320 rooms and is best known for its impressive architectural design and superb location, facing the sea in the city's Miramar district.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the largest hotel franchise company in the world, shows great progress as it continues to expand its hotel portfolio, reaching the Caribbean for the first time through the Dominican development company "PROFUSION GROUP".
Earlier this year, Mint Hotels & Residences debuted in the Dominican Republic with a selection of independent boutique properties.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a luxury resort and residences on Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, currently scheduled to open in 2021.
Relais & Châteaux has announced that QUINTESSENCE HOTEL—A TROPICAL GRAND MANSION has now joined Relais & Châteaux, the most prestigious network of luxury hotels in the world. Headquartered in France, R&C represents 550 independently owned and operated boutique hotels and gourmet restaurants in extraordinary locations around the globe. Each property accepted into the Relais & Châteaux family must embody values of sustainability, hospitality and service, while celebrating the local culture of their unique region.
Parris Jordan, Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) announced that the 2018 edition of CHICOS is now set for November 8-9, 2018 and will be hosted at the Fairmont Southampton Resort in Bermuda."The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has been an exceptional partner for CHICOS and we are honored to return to the island nation in 2018," says Jordan. "The leadership of the BTA and the support of the entire hospitality community in Bermuda enables us to move forward with new and innovative perspectives and ideas."Our heart beats with a Caribbean rhythm," says Kevin Dallas, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. "We are honored to welcome CHICOS back and are eager to showcase Bermuda and further discussions with the hundreds of investors, bankers, lenders and other interested hospitality developers. CHICOS is a critical venue for all of us to promote continued growth."As Jordan and the CHICOS team assemble the program contents, we can be sure of specific topics that are important to the region and are to be included in the agenda:
Though it has been two years since U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro restored diplomatic relations between their respective countries (a move President Donald Trump is itching to reverse), American developers are still evaluating whether the Caribbean’s largest island and third most popular tourist destination is worth their capital investment.
The inaugural Conference SAHIC Cuba designed to promote the hotel, tourism and related real estate businesses in the island nation took place in Havana, Cuba, May 15-16, 2017. After two full days of activities, the event proved to be 'the' place to provide the 225 attendees from 24 countries with new opportunities to expand their network while learning where the industry is heading in the continually emerging Cuba.
Howard Hospitality Group (HHG), an international hotel investor, developer and operator, has announced the launch of Locale, an innovative new limited-service hotel brand. Redefining traditional extended stay conventions, Locale appeals to the millennial mindset while creating an open, inclusive concept for savvy travelers from all walks of life. The brand's first hotel is presently under development in a coveted spot on Grand Cayman along the Seven Mile Beach corridor, near local businesses and the popular Camana Bay shopping and dining area, with a projected opening date of September 2017.
Meliá Hotels International announced during the International Tourism Fair in Cuba that it will extend its presence in the centre of the island with the addition of 8 hotels, while also assisting in promoting multi-destination vacations.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) luxury brand of iconic landmark hotels, today announced the signing of a management agreement with Callaloo Cay Antigua for the brand's first new-build resort in the Caribbean, Waldorf Astoria Antigua. Scheduled to open in 2020, the elegant resort in the middle of the Leeward Islands will provide unparalleled service and one-of-a-kind experiences where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic.
The Board of Directors of Warwick Hotels and Resorts (WHR), led by President Richard Chiu, hosted an official grand opening celebration for Warwick Paradise Island - Bahamaswith formal festivities on Friday, March 31, 2017. The event was attended by more than 300 guests including Bahamas government and parliament officials, society members, industry partners, local businesses and members of the media.
Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman, a new resort situated on the picturesque Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, has welcomed its first guests, the Huff family (pictured left). As part of its soft opening, select guestrooms are now open, as are the resort's unique open-air lobby, License to Chill® Bar, Margaritaville Coffee Shop® and 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill.
Continuing its aggressive development in Latin America and the Caribbean, Wyndham Hotel Group, the hotel giant with an unmatched global presence of more than 8,000 hotels, today unveiled plans to manage the stunning 242-key Wyndham Grand Ambergris Caye, the first resort in Belize to fly the Wyndham Grand® flag.Caribbean tranquility meets Venetian romance and charm at this five-star oceanfront resort, scheduled to open in December 2018. Situated along the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, the resort's five towers – housing elegantly designed one-, two-, and three-bedroom hotel and residential suites – feature eleven cascading waterfalls and rise up from sparkling pools connected by bridges and canals reminiscent of Venice. The various waterways create the largest pool of its kind in all of Belize for guests and residents to enjoy.Wyndham Grand Ambergris Caye – owned by Venezia del Caribe, LTD, and developed by Sandy Point Developments, LTD – will offer a signature spa, a fitness center, multiple restaurants, 7,000 square feet of meeting space, and an onsite excursion center. It puts guests within just yards of Belize's Barrier Reef, the world's second largest coral reef system which runs the length of the country, and is just three miles from San Pedro, the island's only town. "Belize is emerging as a top spot on every traveler's bucket list, thanks to its pristine beaches, celebrated culture, and continuous recognition as a must-visit destination by respected sources like The New York Times, Lonely Planet, and U.S. News & World Report," said Paulo Pena, president and managing director, Latin America and the Caribbean for Wyndham Hotel Group. "With overnight visitors hitting a record high last year – up 13% over 2015 – we're seeing an increased demand for first-class, high-end hotel experiences in destinations like Ambergris Caye. With Wyndham Grand's understated approach to luxury travel, coupled with the market expertise of established partners like Venezia del Caribe, LTD, and Sandy Point Developments, LTD, we'll deliver a distinct and unforgettable resort experience for guests." The resort's development will create upwards of 250 jobs. Upon opening Wyndham Grand Ambergris Caye will employ approximately 350 people. "The combination of Wyndham Hotel Group's vast global reach and recognition, along with a top-rated loyalty program in Wyndham Rewards, sets the stage for a successful luxury development in one of Belize's most desirable locations," said Jeremy Meighan, partner and director for Venezia del Caribe, LTD, and Sandy Point Developments, LTD. "With the baby-boomer population looking for new places to retire and major airlines adding more flights to Ambergris Caye, the area is experiencing a real estate boom," said Daniel Hartin, owner of Sandy Point Real Estate. "Wyndham Grand is going to be the benchmark of the luxury market in Belize and we invite travelers to register and explore the ownership opportunities within this prestigious resort at www.wyndhamgrandbelize.com." Ambergris Caye is the largest of the more than 200 islands, known as cayes, located off the coast of Belize. Situated off the Barrier Reef, the island is a renowned destination for diving and snorkelling. Regular cooling trade winds create a temperate atmosphere year-round whether relaxing on the beach, hiking through rainforests, or exploring limestone caves and Mayan ruins.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has been appointed by the Bahamian subsidiary of Hong Kong-based development company Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) to operate and manage Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas, which will open in Spring 2018. Set on the gorgeous white sands of Nassau's Cable Beach, Rosewood Baha Mar will be a sanctuary of exclusivity, located within the stunning Baha Mar Resort multi- property oasis in the Caribbean. "Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has had a relationship with Baha Mar since 2011, and we are truly excited to re-engage as the operator of Baha Mar's luxury resort through our partnership with CTFE, Baha Mar Resort's new owner," says Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. "We are fully committed to this project and look forward to raising our flag in The Bahamas as originally planned."Featuring elegant British colonial architecture and interior styling, Rosewood Baha Mar will epitomize Bahamian refinement and sophistication. The resort will offer 185 ocean view rooms and suites, as well as five luxurious beachfront villas, which will be contemporary and residential in style. Each accommodation will be elegantly appointed with refined Bahamian art and décor. Of note, all guestrooms will boast private balconies with outdoor living areas, while the luxurious four-bedroom villas will offer exceptional tranquility, exclusive services and a private pool. Amenities at Rosewood Baha Mar will include four signature dining venues including Commonwealth, a farm-to-table restaurant that will include a private Rum Room for exclusive, island-style dinners; the Pool Grille -- an inspired, al fresco poolside restaurant that will serve fresh seafood, grilled dishes and cocktails; Bar Riva, a relaxed, nautical-themed bar where guests will enjoy craft cocktails and small plates, and the Library Lounge, which will feature Bahamian-style afternoon tea and unique tea cocktails. Recreational facilities will include Sense, A Rosewood Spa, salon, barber shop, fitness center, two private swimming pools and luxury cabanas. Additionally, guests will have direct and private beach access. Eight meeting and event spaces will provide the perfect setting for corporate meetings, retreats and incentives. The venues – including a 4,950-square-foot ballroom, meeting room, boardrooms, private dining room and two al fresco event areas – will offer exquisite catering, refined service and state-of the art technology.Rosewood Baha Mar will join a regional network of distinctive Rosewood properties in the Caribbean and Atlantic, including Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Rosewood Tucker's Point and Rosewood Little Dix Bay, which is slated to re-open in 2017.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with CTF BM Operations Ltd. for the operation of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the Baha Mar Convention Center and a variety of restaurants, bars and lounges, all of which will be part of the mixed-use Baha Mar Resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The Baha Mar Resort will open in phases, with initial operations at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar expected to begin in late April 2017.