Hard Rock International announces today it is partnering with Misla Hospitality, Stonecrest Investment Management, and The Interfin Companies to develop the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino San Juan. The $850 million new-build project is slated to open in 2029, with construction commencing mid-2026.
The Condado district welcomes a new addition to its hospitality scene with the opening of Magdalena 1163, a boutique hotel designed to provide personalized attention and a lodging experience crafted within a serene, contemporary luxury setting.
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, Puerto Rico's legendary oceanfront retreat originally built in 1919 by Frederick William Vanderbilt, proudly announces the completion of an extensive renovation to all guestrooms, suites, and corridors. Designed by HBA International, the project seamlessly blends the hotel's historic grandeur with contemporary sophistication. Marking a new chapter in its legacy, the hotel also introduces an exclusive In-Suite Wellness Package.
La Concha Resort, one of San Juan's most iconic beachfront destinations, proudly announces its official transition to Marriott International's prestigious Autograph Collection, marking a transformative new chapter for the resort as La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico, an Autograph Collection Hotel. This milestone coincides with the completion of an extensive property-wide renovation, highlighted by the unveiling of the fully reimagined Suite Tower featuring 238 newly redesigned rooms and indulging suites.
VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts proudly announces the appointment of Pierre-Alex Maillard as Area General Manager. Pierre-Alex will lead the team at VERANÓ San Juan, which is the first of three new luxury lifestyle hotels slated for Puerto Rico by VERANÓ.
Marriott International is pleased to announce Sam Basu as new Area General Manager of Puerto Rico, and concurrently to General Manager of the iconic The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan. With over two decades of extensive experience in luxury hospitality spanning across the United States, Central America and Puerto Rico, Basu will oversee the breadth of Marriott's portfolio on the island, liaise with franchise partners, foster relationships with local officials and lead the highly anticipated re-opening of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino welcomes Romeo Penacino as Executive Chef, bringing over 20 years of culinary excellence and leadership in the hospitality industry. Romeo has a proven track record of enhancing revenue, driving profitability, and fostering employee engagement. His career spans across various esteemed establishments including the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort and Aruba Marriott Complex.
Javier Escola assumes the position of Director of Food & Beverage at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, Javier brings extensive experience from leading hospitality establishments around the world. Prior to joining the San Juan Marriott, Javier held the role of Director of Food & Beverage in a well-respected hotel in Qatar. He also served as Director of Food & Beverage at Sheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa in Tenerife, Spain.
Mariano Formariz joins the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino as the new General Manager. With an esteemed career spanning over 25 years, Mariano has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and passion for the hospitality sector with extensive leadership experience across multiple brands in Latin America. He began his journey with Marriott in 1998 and has since held significant roles including General Manager and Complex General Manager in his home country Argentina. Mariano's most recent role was Area General Manager for Peru, overseeing Sheraton Lima Historic Center, JW Lima, JW El Convento Cusco, and Courtyard Lima Miraflores. In his new role, Mariano will oversee the property's day-to-day operations and elevate the visitor experience, including staff management and deployment, strategic planning, budgeting, and sales and marketing for the resort.
Expected to join the Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio this year, the early 19th century property will represent Hilton's first hotel in Old San Juan.
Padín brings a vast knowledge of hospitality and over 30 years of hotel industry experience to the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel team. Launching his career on the island, Padín graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and began his hospitality career at Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino as part of the housekeeping team in 1992, where he remained until 1993. Following a role as Executive Housekeeper at Palmas Del Mar Resort, Padín was appointed Assistant General Manager at Colonial Hotel and Beach Resort in 1996 and promoted to General Manager in 1997. After success in his first general manager position, Padín assumed General Manager, Resident Manager, and Director of Operations titles at Allegro Resort, Doral Resort at Palmas Del Mar, Copamarina Beach Resort, Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, and most recently La Concha Resort, before joining the team at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel as General Manager.
Vidal-Soto is a graduate of Universidad Del Este in Puerto Rico, receiving a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management Science in 2010, in addition to a certificate in Hospitality Management from Florida Atlantic University following a post-graduate program to continue his industry education in 2020. Before his appointment as Director of Sales at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, Vidal-Soto held roles as General Manager, Operations Manager, and Operations Director within the hospitality industry at Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, and Crescent Hotels and Resort, overseeing operations at a number of properties across the United States. Most recently, Vidal-Soto served as the Regional Group Sales Manager for MGM Resorts International's Northeast and West Coast Regions, supervising MICE and pharmaceutical group sales revenue.
Chávez studied Law at the Universidad Tecnológica de México and the Universidad Panamericana, both located in Mexico City, and his first work experiences were as associate director of Economic Affairs and Culture of the state of New Mexico. His career as a hotelier began in 2000 in the sales area of the Excalibur hotel in Las Vegas, from where he moved to the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in 2001. At the MGM Grand, Chávez's held the role of front desk agenda where he worked his way up to become the manager of Front Services until 2010.
Previous to his role as general manager of La Concha Resort, Mike Rivera was the vice president of operations for The Condado Collection, as well as prior hotel manager, for which he is returning to the hotel with new vigor. Rivera has also served as vice president of operations for Restaurantes Encanto and Empresas Cordero Badillo, where he oversaw important functions such as supervising restaurant operations and renovations; inventory and labor cost control; service standards, and program implementation. He has also held positions including director of operations for TRICON Restaurants International, and hotel manager, resident manager and executive assistant manager of food and beverage for well-known hotels and resorts such as Puerto Rico's Wyndham Hotel and the Condado Plaza Hotel.
Royal Sonesta San Juan announced the appointment of Raul Bustamante as General Manager of the beautiful beach-front property located in the neighborhood of Isla Verde. In his role, Bustamante is responsible for the successful execution of all aspects of the hotel's operations, including sales, marketing, and finance.
Driftwood Capital, a vertically integrated commercial real estate investment, development and lending platform specializing in hospitality, announces that it has acquired the Sheraton Old San Juan, a 240-room hotel and 27,500-square-foot retail complex in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Driftwood intends to undertake a full-scale renovation of the property and convert it to a Tribute By Marriott - making it the only branded hotel in the historic district. It will be managed by Driftwood Capital's sister company, Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM), a national hotel operator with over 20 years of expertise.
Hilton announces the appointment of Sharilyn Toko as general manager of the 652-room Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the company's first hotel to open outside of the continental U.S. in 1949 and birthplace of the pina colada. With more than three decades of hospitality experience, Toko joins the Caribe Hilton team following a year of holding a dual role as general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan HotelandCasino and The Condado Plaza Hilton, where she took the helm in 2016 to reenergize the team and elevate the guest experience. An award-winning general manager, Toko is a Hilton veteran who joined the company in 1989 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where she remained until 2000, overseeing the resort's catering and convention services. She then moved to Puerto Rico to take on the role of director of meeting and conference services at the former El Conquistador Resort, where she advanced her career, leading her to oversee the 950-room resort as hotel manager, responsible for not only the hotel, but also its private island, water park, spa, privately owned villas and more. Toko studied Business Administration and Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
This new year brings a new lifestyle hotel to Puerto Rico with the opening of Palacio Provincial, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, in January 2021. Set within a storied Colonial-era building in San Juan's most historic neighborhood, the 43-room hotel has been meticulously restored and reimagined into a flawless, light-filled home base for discerning travelers seeking the best of Old San Juan's rich history with top-service and accommodations.
The Fairmont El San Juan is not just the newest Fairmont property, it's also a landmark in Puerto Rico. Originally opened in 1958 as El San Juan Hotel, the oceanfront hotel officially joined the Group'sluxury portfolio on January 3rd, 2020. This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting journey for Fairmont in Puerto Rico and continues a period of tremendous growth for Accor in North & Central America. A prestigious arrival in Puerto RicoHere, you will experience unparalleled service, unrivaled presence and attention to detail. You'll always go home enlightened, empowered and ready to live your life more playfully and healthfully. Write your own story in this paradise!
Aloft Hotels, Marriott International's innovation incubator brand for global travelers, today announced the opening of Aloft San Juan, the first Aloft hotel in the Caribbean. By mixing art, technology, and music, Aloft San Juan introduces a new social scene with a fresh approach that differentiates itself from the traditional hotel offering.