Playa, Hilton to Partner on Caribbean All-Inclusive Expansion

By Guy Britton

PLAYA DEL CARMEN — In a move that will likely change the landscape of all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, two travel giants are partnering on a significant expansion push.

Playa Hotels and Resorts and Hilton have announced a new strategic alliance that will mean a total of 10 new all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Playa will launch the alliance by converting two Playa resorts into Hilton all-inclusive resorts, with plans to open an additional eight all-inclusive resorts together by 2025.

The move was announced at a press conference at The Royal on Monday.

“Our strategic alliance with Hilton is a win-win for both companies. This alliance will empower us to reach more guests, on more occasions, and in more geographies, than ever before,” said Bruce Wardinski, Playa’s Chairman and CEO, Playa Hotels & Resorts. “We view this as justa first step toward what is possible as part of this strategic alliance, and Playa is thrilled to continue to grow along-side Hilton and our other world class partners.”

The Royal will become The Hilton Playa del Carmen.

By the end of 2018, Hilton and Playa will launch two properties: Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Resort — the former Dreams La Romana; along with Hilton Playa del Carmen, what is currently The Royal resort in Playa del Carmen.

That will add a total of 1,269 guest rooms to Hilton’s global portfolio.

“At Hilton, we are dedicated to offering our guests the type of world-class hospitality that matters most to them, in the destinations they want to visit,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton. “Today we are pleased to begin our ambitious expansion journey with Playa Hotels and Resorts. Together we are responding to our shared guests, who are seeking attractive resort offerings. And as our all-inclusive portfolio grows, so too does our commitment to world class hospitality in the Caribbean and Latin America.”

The soon-to-be Hilton La Romana.

The moves comes after Playa recently acquired a portfolio of mostly Hilton-branded resorts in Jamaica, most notably the Hilton Rose Hall.

“We look forward to capitalizing on the power of the Hilton brand, the strength of our respective development teams, and Playa’s world-class all-inclusive management expertise, to accelerate the growth of Hilton’s all-inclusive resorts,” said Fernando Mulet, senior vice president, head of development at Playa.

Playa is also planning two new all-inclusives in greater Punta Cana under the Hyatt brand.

Its current portfolio consists of almost 8,000 hotel rooms in the Caribbean across 20 resort properties.