Source: Getty Images for Wyndham

PARSIPPANY, N.J., -- Highlighting strong and growing interest in its portfolio of upscale brands in theCaribbean, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company, today announced plans for further global expansion with the development of the 450-room Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort.

Located in the parish of St. Philip at the former site of Sam Lord's Castle--a spot renowned for pirates in the 19th century and one that carries great historical significance in the Caribbean today--the all-new construction resort is being developed with Barbados Tourism Investment, Inc. and will be managed by Wyndham Hotel Group. In addition to spacious, elegantly appointed guest-rooms, the resort will offer three on-site restaurants, 20,000 square-feet of state-of-the-art meeting space as well as an expansive luxury spa and fitness center. It will be the first Wyndham branded resort in Barbados.

"The famous buccaneer Sam Lord settled in this area for its beauty and mystique. Today, we believe he selected the perfect location for our continued growth in the Caribbean," said Paulo Pena, president and managing director, Latin America and the Caribbean for Wyndham Hotel Group. "This new hotel's spectacular design will surely become an icon for guests in search of unique 5-star offerings and amenities."

"Each year Barbados hosts more and more visitors as it continues to position itself as a top vacation spot in the Caribbean. The development of Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort, will offer guests the beauty of our beaches and access to our distinctive history, merged with the luxurious experience that the Wyndham Grand brand offers to travelers around the world," said Everton Walters, chairman of Barbados Tourism Investment Inc.

Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort will be situated along the gorgeous beaches of Long Bay by Sam Lord'sCastle. The site was a beautiful Georgian mansion built in 1820 by Samuel Hall Lord, known as 'Sam Lord'. It is said that the notorious buccaneer used to hang lanterns on palm trees to attract merchant ships whose captains mistakenly thought the place was a safe harbor.

When it opens in 2018, the hotel will be Wyndham Hotel Group's 13th property in the Caribbean, with a portfolio which includes TheBahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, under the Wyndham Grand® Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Wyndham Garden® Hotels, Ramada® and Howard Johnson® brands. The company is also scheduled to introduce the first TRYP by Wyndham hotel in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico later this year.

The new hotel will participate in Wyndham Rewards®, the simple-to-use, revolutionary new loyalty program from Wyndham Hotel Group that offers members a generous points earning structure along with a flat, free night redemption rate - the first of its kind for a major rewards program. For more information or to enroll, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com.

For additional photos of today's event, please click here.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 872,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 24 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 106 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

The Company may use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company's website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company's website in addition to following the Company's press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.

About Wyndham Rewards

Named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world's most generous rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide.

Designed for the everyday traveller, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights at any of the approximately 9,100 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 103 million enrolled members globally. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You've earned this. ®