Marriott Announces Significant Growth and Strategic Expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America | News

Marriott International, Inc. announced an excellent year of growth in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region in 2025. The company achieved a record 94 signed deals in the region, adding 10,461 rooms to its pipeline, an increase of 40 percent in signed transactions and more than 30 percent in signed rooms compared to 2024. This achievement reinforces Marriott’s long-term commitment to diversified expansion and meeting the evolving interests of owners in the CALA region.

In 2025, Marriott expanded its portfolio by 39 properties and 4,292 rooms, growing its regional footprint to 555 open properties and more than 95,000 rooms in 37 countries and territories by the end of the year.

“In 2025, Marriott once again solidified its leadership position in the Caribbean and Latin America as the largest hotel company in the region, marked by another year of market-leading growth. This expansion reflects Marriott’s adaptability and innovation,” said Brian King, president of Enterprise Transformation and Caribbean and Latin America. “Our focus has been on listening to travelers’ needs and responding with an unparalleled portfolio of brands, offering everything from luxury resorts to accessible mid-range solutions. This success is the result of a shared vision with our owners and investors, and the commitment of our teams to deliver exceptional experiences in every destination.”

Conversions were a key driver of Marriott’s contract growth in CALA through 2025, with nearly 30 properties and 3,000 rooms signed under this model. Approximately 30 percent of rooms signed in 2025 are attributed to conversions, underscoring the flexibility of Marriott’s brand portfolio and its ability to unlock value by providing owners with an efficient option to renovate and rebrand existing assets. By the end of 2025, the CALA development pipeline included 45 renovation projects, representing more than 6,000 rooms.

“2025 marked another important milestone for Marriott’s development in the Caribbean and Latin America, with record deal activity and organic signings that continue to grow our footprint and pipeline,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Marriott International’s Chief Development Officer for the Caribbean and Latin America. “We now lead across all segments in the region, including mid-market, which the company only entered a few years ago. This success is a reflection of the strength of our portfolio and the dedication of the team, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has accomplished and the momentum we will continue in the year ahead.”

Elevating the resort landscape through luxury and comprehensive growth

At year’s end, Marriott’s luxury footprint in the region included 71 open properties and 38 pipeline hotels, representing more than 18,000 rooms across CALA. Marriott continued to expand its luxury portfolio in response to luxury travelers’ interest in escaping to some of the world’s most remarkable and remote destinations. In 2025, the company celebrated the opening of two luxury gems: Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, and Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico, offering exclusive retreats in remote and captivating destinations.

In 2025, Ritz-Carlton Reserve also broke ground in southern Eleuthera, The Bahamas, with Cotton Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Residences, expected to open in 2029, while Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts announced the brand’s upcoming arrival to CALA with Bvlgari Resort & Residences, Cave, Exuma in the Bahamas, also scheduled for 2029.

The company’s all-inclusive portfolio also flourished in CALA, highlighted by the opening of Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adult All-Inclusive and W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive, the world’s first all-inclusive W Hotel, which combines the brand’s vibrant design with high-end service and story-worthy experiences. The JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort All-Inclusive in Costa Rica will also debut in 2026 as the first all-inclusive JW Marriott resort in CALA. These projects reinforce Marriott’s position as a leader in delivering luxury all-inclusive activities and experiences for the most discerning travelers.

The momentum in the mid-market continues with City Express by Marriott

At the same time, the company’s mid-market saw extraordinary growth in 2025, led by the expansion of the City Express by Marriott brand. The company signed 28 City Express by Marriott deals in CALA covering 3,188 rooms, several of which mark the brand’s planned expansion into seven countries and territories: Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Looking ahead to 2026, the company expects the opening of six City Express by Marriott properties, including market launches in Argentina, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

City Express by Marriott’s expansion in Brazil continued in 2025. The company signed 13 deals representing more than 1,400 rooms, including seven hotels announced in July that mark the brand’s anticipated debut in the market. This milestone is part of a broader multi-unit development agreement with FÁBRICA DE HOTÉIS in Brazil, which is expected to add 30 City Express by Marriott properties in Brazil’s northeastern region to the brand’s portfolio over the next fifteen years.

At year-end, City Express by Marriott had almost 150 open hotels in the region, representing more than 17,700 rooms, and a pipeline of 46 deals and more than 5,200 rooms.

Brazil: the driving force behind the next phase of expansion

Brazil remains an important strategic market for Marriott in CALA, demonstrating diversified growth and development. Currently, Marriott’s portfolio in Brazil includes 15 properties in Brazil, across 9 different brands, representing 3,779 rooms, with 21 properties and 4,000 rooms in the signed pipeline.

Recent openings include The Westin São Paulo, inaugurated in June 2025, and the upcoming Tropical Hotel da Amazônia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, expected to open in 2026. Marriott has also recently signed major agreements that further strengthen its commitment to the development of leisure in Brazil, including projects such as The Westin João Pessoa, an all-inclusive resort. This diversified growth strategy – which includes resorts, upper luxury and mid-range offerings – highlights the strength, adaptability and broad appeal of Marriott’s portfolio of brands in meeting the evolving needs of Brazil’s diverse hospitality market.

Marriott reaffirms its commitment to improving hospitality in CALA by expanding a diverse portfolio that offers flexible, compelling options for hotel owners. The company continues to support new ways to travel while celebrating the region’s rich culture, diversity and distinctive sense of place.