Haiti officially welcomed The Marriott Port-au-Prince during an event that celebrated Haiti, its culture and local artisans whose artwork adds beauty throughout the hotel. Some of the artisans works will be curated by Donna Karan, fashion designer, and her UrbanZen Foundation, which seeks to help communities preserve their unique cultural and spiritual values through their creativity and craft.
For far too long the Caribbean has taken tourism for granted according to a white paper issued by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) entitled Cuba: The Great Disruption for the Good of the Caribbean. The paper states that the country that many regard as the least capitalistic in the region is about to teach its neighbor governments, capitalists and free market adherents a lesson.
Luxury hotel and resort operator AlSol Hotels & Resorts will open AlSol Tiara Cap Cana on Monday, June 1, adding a contemporary and chic marina oasis to its portfolio. The hip, new boutique hotel welcomes multi-generational travelers to its social and warm atmosphere situated at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic affectionately known as the "Jewel of Punta Cana."
On the occasion of the French President's visit to Cuba, Accor announces the signature of a management contract with Gran Caribe (Ministry of Tourism) for the Pullman Cayo Coco hotel in Cuba. This 518-room hotel-resort (including 40 suites), will offer upscale services and will notably be the first establishment on the island offering Wi-Fi in all its rooms. The Pullman Cayo Coco is located just 10 minutes from the international airport and boasts a vast sea front (over 500 meters) on the beautiful "Las Coloradas" beach. The Pullman Cayo Coco will open in November 2015.
During the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami last week, Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Caribbean-based Sterling Developments to build an Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel on the island of St. Kitts & Nevis, making it the first Hilton property in the territory. The 226-suite hotel is currently under construction and plans to open its doors in Q1 2017.
The 2015 HOLA (Hotel Opportunities Latin America) Conference took place April 28-30 at the J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel in Miami. The conference projected a focus on occupancy in Central America since supply has been outpacing demand since mid-2012. An emphasis on this current strategy to attract demand is critical to support further hospitality development in Central America. Plenary sessions, however exuded enthusiasm and optimism. Here is just a handful of the critical "takeaways" from last week's HOLA event:
Ocean by H10 Hotels - H10 Hotels Caribbean Division - has announced the expansion of its presence in Cuba and the Caribbean, by adding two new resorts which will be opening later this year. In addition to the existing Ocean Varadero El Patriarca, all inclusive resort located on Cuba's famed Varadero Beach, the new all inclusive resorts Ocean Casa del Mar and Ocean Vista Azul will be opening by end of 2015 in Cuba.
Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of two iconic Jamaican properties to Curio – A Collection by Hilton, a global brand of distinctive upper upscale and luxury hotels, hand-picked for travelers who seek local discovery and authentic experiences.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) a division of Viacom Inc., are pleased to announce the signing of a landmark agreement to develop Nickelodeon Hotels1. A Gourmet Inclusive® collection of luxurious family-friendly properties, Nickelodeon Hotels will represent the first and only international hotels for Nickelodeon, one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia brands for kids.
Sanctuary Cap Cana by AlSol introduces its new adults-only concept to the AlSol Hotels and Resorts portfolio. Offering the ultimate in luxury for couples seeking romantic getaways, the growing brand’s recently renovated and reopened flagship property will welcome travelers 18-years-old and older to its pristine oceanfront location in Cap Cana, the jewel of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic beginning December 15, 2015.
Hilton Worldwide and Resorts World Bimini, the world's first cruise destination resort, have announced the newest luxury lifestyle hotel in the Bahamas will fly the Hilton Hotels & Resorts flag. The newly-built luxury marina hotel, slated to have its official grand opening at Resorts World Bimini in the Bahamas this summer, will operate as Hilton at Resorts World Bimini, and marks Hilton Worldwide's second hotel in the Bahamas.
The new Marriott Port-au-Prince Haiti Marriott Hotel today checked in its first guests. Among the 200 new Haitian hotel workers who welcomed them were young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Haitian-Americans who want to share their hospitality skills to help boost Haiti's tourism economy. The stories of these new associates include Luccardo, who was recruited to work at the hotel's front desk from the Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs orphanage, and Hermine, who was part of the hotel's intern program and will be an entry-level supervisor. In addition to members of a Haitian-American executive team, the Haiti Marriott is led by a veteran Marriott general manager who was previously at the Marriott Champs Elysees in Paris.
Baha Mar, the new $3.5 billion resort, will introduce a new era of luxury, glamour, gaming and excitement to The Bahamas when it begins hosting paid guests on March 27, 2015, at Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, Rosewood at Baha Mar and SLS LUX at Baha Mar. Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar will open shortly after.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) and Playa Hotels & Resorts B.V. ("Playa"), a leading owner, operator and developer of all inclusive resorts in prime beachfront locations, announced the opening of Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, an adult-only all inclusive experience, opens on the heels of Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, an all inclusive experience for guests of all ages.
"The Caribbean remains a positive market, as far as hotel performance is concerned - and it will be for some time to come," says Mr. Parris E. Jordan, Chairman, Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) and Managing Director of HVS's operations in the Caribbean. "If you're a hotelier in the Caribbean, things are good…very good." Approximately 300 delegates gathered at the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) 2014, held last week at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Recognized as the leading venue for the hospitality industry in the region, CHICOS is known throughout the hotel investment world as the place where deals get done. This is the must-attend event for anyone with interest in hospitality in the Caribbean region. "Visitor arrivals to the region continue to increase," Jordan adds. "Hotel operating performance is healthy and strong, particularly average daily rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR). It will surpass the prior peak of 2007 by the end of this year. And the percentage of RevPAR growth, year-to-date 2014, is surpassing even what we're witnessing in the United States." With regard to hotel investments, Jordan goes on to share that the future of Caribbean financing is in alternative sources of capital, as opposed to traditional debt sources. "The banks and lenders who were active in the prior cycle are not active now, but capital is available and we can assist developers in finding these sources." Many of the speakers commented on the notable and increasingly active feeder markets to the Caribbean region from South America. CHICOS 2014 featured numerous panel discussions composed of prominent executives in the industry. Participants included Kenny Blatt, Principal and COO, CPG Real Estate; Nicholas Hecker, Principal, Och Ziff Real Estate; Honorable Minister Sealy, Chairman of Caribbean Tourism Organization and Minister of Tourism for Barbados; Adam Rosenberg, Global Head of Gaming and Leisure, Fortress Investment Group- Credit Funds; Hugh Riley, CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization; Roland Mouly, VP Development, Latin America, Mexico & Caribbean, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group; Doug Kulig, CEO, OBM International; Patrick Freeman, President, Cisneros Real Estate; Alinio Azevedo, Director of Development, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Denis Ebrill, EVP Product Development North America, Melia Hotels International; Rafael Blanco, EVP, Viva Resorts; among many others. In addition to the event organizers, CHICOS was sponsored by: Host Patrons Dominican Republic Export & Investment Center and Hard Rock International; Patron Sponsors Interval International and MasterCard; Platinum Sponsors KPMG, Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, Marriott International, Choice Hotels International, JetBlue and OBM International (OBMI); Silver Sponsors Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, BCQS, Melia Hotels International, Apple Leisure Group, K&L Gates, PKF, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, BanReservas, Rider Levett Bucknall; Cisneros Real Estate, Banco Popular; and Media and Education Partners Hotel Executive.com, HotelNewsNow.com, STR and Florida International University. CHICOS 2015 location and dates are to be announced shortly. Photography and video footage of CHICOS 2014 are available upon request. For more information about CHICOS, visit www.hvschicos.com
An agreement has been signed between the Government of Dominica and Range Developments, a development company, for the construction of a luxury hotel resort as an approved project under its Citizenship By Investment programme. Further to an agreement signed by Range Developments with Kempinski Hotels for the operation of the hotel, the resort will be Kempinski's first luxury hotel project in the Caribbean. The Cabrits Resort Kempinski Dominica will be a 101 room hotel on Douglas Bay in Cabrits on the north shore of the island, close to the town of Portsmouth.
Positive Trends and Cautious Observations to be discussed at 2014 HVS Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS) this November In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic;"Hospitality Developers in the Caribbean Need to Get More Creative"
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting today announced the groundbreaking for Puerto Rico's fourth Hyatt-branded select service hotel, the $29.7 million Hyatt Place San Juan. The announcement comes on the heels of the recent opening of the 126-room Hyatt House San Juan, which opened October 1, 2014, and confirms Hyatt's commitment to Puerto Rico and the region. Hyatt Place San Juan will be developed by a joint venture between affiliates of Hyatt, PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting, Inc. As part of the transaction, a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management and related agreements with the joint venture for the operation of the hotel. Hyatt Place San Juan is expected to open in the first quarter of 2016.
Gansevoort Hotel Group has announced it will be officially opening its doors December 15, 2014 to its latest oceanfront resort--Gansevoort Playa Imbert--on the Dominican Republic's north coast.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting today announced the opening of Hyatt House San Juan, debuting as Puerto Rico's first extended stay hotel as well as the brand's first Hyatt House hotel outside of the continental United States. The Governor of Puerto Rico, the Hon. Alejandro Garcia Padilla, attended the hotel's ribbon-cutting ceremony.