Hilton is pushing hard to grow its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), where it has already tripled its portfolio over the last decade.
With 225 hotels and resorts open across the region, its next target is to have 300 hotels open by the end of 2027. In June 2024, Hilton CEO visited the group’s properties already operating, underlining his commitment to growth and recognising the importance of local hotel teams in delivering great hospitality.
New brands, new countries
Already in place is a signed pipeline of more than 100 properties, which will see Hilton not only add scale in existing markets, but will launch the group’s brands into seven new countries and territories. In 2024 alone, launches in Bermuda and Paraguay will give guests new choices and new destinations to experience, whether paying directly for their reservation, or using Hilton Honors loyalty points garnered from previous bookings elsewhere.
The region will also soon see the arrival of two new brands, Spark and Home2 Suites. The recently launched Spark is a premium economy segment hotel offering, designed specifically to suit quick conversions from other brands; while Home2 Suites is one of Hilton’s established extended stay offerings.
Mexico is Hilton’s key market in the region, where it has more than 90 hotels open, plus a further 30 in the pipeline. One of Hilton’s other major markets in the CALA region is Colombia, where the group already has 23 hotels open. Later this year it will launch its Tru brand in the country, with an opening in Cali, a city in the southwest.
Among long established markets for Hilton is Argentina, where it first opened a hotel more than 20 years ago. Today, the Hilton Buenos Aires has been joined by nine more properties in the country, and there are plans to double that presence. Peru, too has already seen significant development for Hilton with 11 hotels open and a further seven signed. One recent opening has been the DoubleTree by Hilton Lima San Isidro.
Luxury launch in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, work is progressing on the Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique, which is due to open later in 2024. Located on the country’s northwest coast, the hotel is just 17 miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. Hilton has 10 hotels open in the country, and recently added the Heredia Stadium Hotel to its pipeline. The 121 room property will join Hilton’s Tapestry Collection when it opens in early 2026.
Later this year, the group will add to its portfolio in the Dominican Republic, opening the 502 room Zemi Miches All-inclusive Resort. This new build property will feature as part of Hilton’s Curio Collection offering. Brazil, too is a market with a raft of opportunity, and Hilton plans to roll out more of its brands there. Motto will launch in the country in 2025, with a 132 room hotel opening in Recife, followed in 2026 by the opening of a larger, 285 room Motto in Ibira, a district of Sao Paulo.