Tourexpi
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has completed the sale of the
real estate portfolio it previously acquired from Playa Hotels & Resorts
N.V. to Tortuga Resorts for approximately $2 billion. The closing marks a fully
asset-light outcome for the transaction, with Hyatt retaining long-term
operational involvement through management agreements rather than property
ownership.
Portfolio sale and financial structure
The portfolio originally comprised 15 all-inclusive
resorts across Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. As disclosed
earlier, Hyatt sold one property to a third party in September 2025 for $22
million. With the completion of the Tortuga transaction, the entire Playa real
estate portfolio has now been divested for a total of $2 billion.
Under the agreement, Hyatt may earn up to an
additional $143 million if certain operating thresholds are met and has
retained $200 million in preferred equity in Tortuga. Concurrently, Hyatt and
Tortuga entered into 50-year management agreements for 13 of the 14 remaining
properties, aligned with Hyatt’s existing all-inclusive management terms. One
property is subject to a separate contractual arrangement.
Long-term operations remain with Hyatt
“This closing is the culmination of a transformative
transaction for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection,” said Javier Águila. He
highlighted the securing of long-term management contracts for a portfolio of
resorts and pointed to strong cultural alignment between Hyatt and Playa as a
key factor in completing the deal.
Leo Schlesinger described the transaction as a
defining step for Tortuga, positioning the company as a scaled platform in
luxury beachfront hospitality across Mexico and the Caribbean and deepening its
partnership with Hyatt.
Asset-light focus and use of proceeds
Hyatt said the sale underscores its commitment to an
asset-light business model and shareholder value creation. Proceeds will be
used to repay a delayed draw term loan that financed part of the Playa
acquisition, with pro forma net leverage expected to remain within levels
consistent with an investment-grade credit profile.
Advisors and hurricane update
BDT & MSD Partners acted as Hyatt’s lead financial
advisor, with Berkadia as real estate advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP as
legal counsel. Tortuga was advised by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, with Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP as legal counsel.
Separately, Hyatt noted that seven properties in
Jamaica damaged by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 are expected to remain
closed until the fourth quarter of 2026. All guests and colleagues were safely
evacuated, and financial assistance has been provided to affected colleagues
through the Hyatt Care Fund and direct company support.
Image
Credit: © Hyatt Hotels Corporation
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