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Marriott International reported a year of strong expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region in 2025. The hotel group signed a record 94 agreements, adding more than 10,400 rooms to its development pipeline – a 40 percent increase in deals and more than 30 percent growth in signed rooms compared with 2024.
During the year, Marriott opened 39 properties with 4,292 rooms. By the end of 2025 the company operated 555 hotels with more than 95,000 rooms across 37 countries and territories in the region.
Brian King, President of Enterprise Transformation and the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International, said the results confirmed the company’s strong market position. “In 2025, Marriott solidified its leadership position in Caribbean and Latin America once again as the largest hotel company in the region, marked by another year of market-leading growth.”
Conversions drive expansion pipeline
Hotel conversions played an important role in the company’s growth strategy. Nearly 30 properties with around 3,000 rooms were signed through conversion projects in 2025, accounting for roughly 30 percent of the total rooms added during the year. At the end of 2025 the regional pipeline included 45 conversion projects with more than 6,000 rooms.
Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer for Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America, said the development momentum reflected strong demand from hotel owners and investors across the region.
Luxury and all-inclusive resorts expand
Marriott continued to strengthen its luxury presence in the region. By the end of 2025 the luxury portfolio included 71 operating hotels and 38 projects in the pipeline with more than 18,000 rooms.
Among the most notable openings were Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, and Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico. The company also expanded its all-inclusive segment with projects such as Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort in Mexico, and W Punta Cana, the brand’s first all-inclusive hotel worldwide.
Further developments are planned, including the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort All-Inclusive in Costa Rica, scheduled to open in 2026.
Midscale growth led by City Express
The midscale segment also recorded strong expansion, driven by the City Express by Marriott brand. In 2025 the company signed 28 agreements for the brand across the region, representing more than 3,100 rooms.
City Express is expanding into several new markets including Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. By the end of the year the brand operated nearly 150 hotels with more than 17,700 rooms across the region, with additional projects in the development pipeline.
Brazil remains a key growth market
Brazil continues to play a central role in Marriott’s regional strategy. The company currently operates 15 hotels across nine brands in the country and has more than 20 additional projects planned.
Recent developments include the opening of The Westin São Paulo in 2025 and upcoming projects such as the Tropical Hotel da Amazônia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel scheduled for 2026.
With its expanding portfolio across luxury resorts, urban hotels and midscale properties, Marriott aims to further strengthen its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America while responding to changing travel demand and new opportunities for hotel owners in the region.
Image Credit: © Marriott International
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