Lopesan Opens Three Connected Resorts in Punta Cana in a US$350 Million Expansion
The Million Dollar Blog, 2026, 2027, New resort, New Resort 2026, New resort in Punta Cana, Resort opening
Key Insights
- One destination, three resort identities: Lopesan opened three interconnected hotels designed for different traveller profiles while sharing many restaurants, pools, entertainment venues and services.
- A major Caribbean investment: The US$350-million development adds 1,035 rooms to Lopesan’s Punta Cana portfolio.
- Caoba Lagoon is the centrepiece: The largest property has 554 rooms, a 127-metre lagoon pool, cenote-inspired areas and ten waterfalls.
- Serenity Bay targets adults: This 239-room adults-only resort offers a quieter atmosphere, exclusive pools, bars and dining spaces.
- Splash Cove focuses on families: The 242-room family resort features connecting accommodations, two water parks, a wave pool and multigenerational activities.
- The Boulevard connects the experience: Guests can access a shared entertainment district with restaurants, bars, shopping, nightlife, a theatre, casino and family attractions.
- More development is coming: A large convention centre is scheduled to open in 2027, expanding the complex’s appeal for weddings, conferences and incentive groups.
- Important editorial clarification: The resorts’ restaurant and pool totals overlap because several amenities are shared. They should not be added together as entirely separate facilities.
Lopesan Opens Three Connected Resorts in Punta Cana in a US$350 Million Caribbean Expansion
opesan Hotel Group has opened Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort, Spa & Casino, Lopesan Serenity Bay Resort, Spa & Casino and Lopesan Splash Cove Resort, Spa & Casino in Playa Bávaro. Together, the three all-inclusive hotels add 1,035 rooms to a connected destination designed for couples, adults, families, groups and multigenerational travellers.
On July 7, 2026, Lopesan Hotel Group announced that it had welcomed the first guests to three new all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, marking the company’s largest Caribbean expansion to date.
The simultaneous debut of Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort, Spa & Casino, Lopesan Serenity Bay Resort, Spa & Casino and Lopesan Splash Cove Resort, Spa & Casino represents an investment of more than US$350 million. The three properties contain a combined 1,035 rooms and join the existing Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino within the company’s broader Playa Bávaro destination.
What makes the development unusual is not simply its size. Rather than opening three unrelated hotels, Lopesan has created three distinct resort identities within one interconnected all-inclusive campus. Guests select the atmosphere that best suits their trip—an expansive lagoon-centred resort, a quieter adults-only retreat or a family resort built around water and recreation—while retaining access to many of the restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and public spaces distributed across the larger complex.
Three hotels designed as one destination
The project is structured around a segmented-resort model.
Caoba Lagoon serves as the development’s principal all-ages resort and architectural centrepiece. Serenity Bay creates a more private adults-only environment within the same destination. Splash Cove concentrates on families, water attractions and multigenerational travel.
That structure allows Lopesan to serve substantially different markets without building three completely isolated guest experiences. A couple staying at Serenity Bay can retreat to an adults-only pool and dining spaces, while still visiting The Boulevard for restaurants, cocktails or entertainment. A family can book Splash Cove for its water-oriented facilities and connecting accommodations while remaining part of the same larger destination as relatives staying at Caoba Lagoon.
The three new resorts also expand Lopesan’s existing presence in Punta Cana. Together with Lopesan Costa Bávaro, the company now operates four differentiated resort experiences within its Playa Bávaro campus. Some major amenities—including The Boulevard, Om Spa, the casino, entertainment venues and selected restaurants—function as shared infrastructure for this wider destination rather than being duplicated separately inside every hotel.
Water and landscape define the architecture
Lopesan developed the new destination in collaboration with HKS Architects and the firm’s hospitality design division, ROAM.
Water is the central organizing element. Lagoons, waterfalls, pool environments, cenote-inspired spaces, tropical landscaping and open-air circulation are used to connect the different buildings and guest areas. Lopesan describes this approach through its “Flow” philosophy, emphasizing movement between architecture, nature, recreation and social spaces.
The most visible expression of the concept is the 127-metre lagoon pool at Caoba Lagoon. The resort also incorporates cenote-inspired design elements and ten waterfalls, creating a landscape in which the aquatic features function as both recreational facilities and architectural landmarks.
This water-led design extends into Splash Cove’s family facilities and Serenity Bay’s quieter pool environments. The result is not one central pool surrounded by three hotels, but a network of aquatic spaces intended to create different atmospheres across the destination.
Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort, Spa & Casino
The centrepiece of the new development
With 554 rooms, Lopesan Caoba Lagoon is the largest of the three new properties. Lopesan markets it as a five-star, all-inclusive resort for all ages, combining extensive leisure facilities with restaurants, bars, pools and future conference infrastructure.
The hotel is intended to serve the broadest range of travellers within the development: couples, families, solo travellers, groups, conference participants and guests who prefer a large resort with numerous activities concentrated around a central aquatic landscape.
Its defining feature is the 127-metre lagoon pool, complemented by three cenote-inspired pools with waterfalls. Lopesan’s current property page lists access to eight pool environments, including the main lagoon, cenotes, a beach-club pool, a wave pool and two water-park areas. Because facilities are shared across the connected campus, these hotel-level counts should not automatically be interpreted as eight completely independent pools reserved exclusively for Caoba guests.
Rooms and suites at Caoba Lagoon
The resort’s 554 accommodations include rooms overlooking tropical gardens, water attractions or pool areas, as well as connecting rooms, swim-up categories and larger one-bedroom suites.
Many standard junior suites measure approximately 55 square metres and include a furnished balcony or terrace. Swim-up junior suites are listed at approximately 56 square metres, while connecting configurations combine two junior suites to provide additional space and privacy. Larger one-bedroom suites measure approximately 107 square metres and separate the bedroom from the living area.
The swim-up rooms provide direct access from the private terrace to a semi-private pool environment. Connecting accommodations pair a king-bedded room with a room containing two queen beds, making them particularly relevant to families and groups that want to remain together without sharing a single sleeping area.
Dining at Caoba Lagoon
Lopesan lists eight restaurants and ten bars in Caoba Lagoon’s principal hotel offering. The restaurant portfolio includes seven themed concepts and an international buffet.
Among the principal concepts are:
- Thai, centred on Thai flavours, coconut, herbs, citrus and charcoal-grilled preparations.
- Lima, combining Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients in a Nikkei concept.
- Indra, dedicated to Indian cuisine, including tandoori preparations, curries and biryanis.
- Kahlo, presenting Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas and slow-cooked recipes.
- Sotto Terra, an Italian concept featuring pasta, pizza and traditional techniques.
- Brassa Nova, an adults-only Brazilian rodizio restaurant.
- Pavilion, the resort’s principal international buffet.
- Additional restaurants at The Boulevard, including La Bohème and Yolo, are incorporated into the wider guest experience.
Caoba Lagoon also includes the expansive Aura Bar, designed around a large tropical vertical wall, in addition to pool bars, lobby bars and shared establishments throughout the complex.
Lopesan Serenity Bay Resort, Spa & Casino
An adults-only resort inside the larger destination
Lopesan Serenity Bay is the adults-only component of the new development.
The resort contains 239 rooms and is positioned as a quieter, more private alternative to the activity-oriented environments elsewhere in the complex. Lopesan markets it as an all-inclusive, five-star property with adults-only facilities, wellness-oriented spaces, dedicated dining and a private pool environment.
Its principal advantage is separation without isolation. Serenity Bay guests have an adults-only home base but can still access many of the restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and nightlife options available throughout the larger Lopesan campus.
The official property page lists nine restaurants, eleven bars and access to nine pool environments. These figures include shared facilities located at Caoba Lagoon and The Boulevard, rather than nine restaurants and nine pools constructed solely within Serenity Bay.
Rooms designed around privacy and calm
All 239 Serenity Bay rooms include a balcony or terrace.
Entry-level junior suites are approximately 55 square metres, with king-bed and two-queen-bed options available in selected categories. Accommodations can overlook tropical gardens, pool areas or other parts of the resort landscape. The portfolio also includes swim-up suites, connecting configurations and larger one-bedroom suites.
The design uses warm neutral colours, natural materials, clean lines and relatively open interior layouts. Serenity Bay’s accommodations are not isolated villas; they are contemporary hotel suites within a larger integrated building and resort environment.
Exclusive adults-only dining
Serenity Bay adds several adults-only venues to the shared culinary program.
Enclave is an adults-only à-la-carte restaurant focused on international cuisine, local ingredients and contemporary preparation. It is included in the hotel’s board plan but requires reservations and a dress code.
The Garden serves as an adults-only international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although intended for Serenity Bay guests, Lopesan’s current dining page lists its physical location within the Caoba Lagoon section of the complex, illustrating how the two hotel identities share infrastructure.
Calma Bar, positioned beside the Serenity Pool, is reserved for adults and emphasizes a quieter poolside atmosphere with cocktails, soft music and a more intimate setting.
Serenity guests can also use numerous shared dining venues, including Brassa Nova, Lima, La Bohème, Yolo and Pavilion, subject to restaurant-specific access rules, opening schedules and reservation requirements.
Lopesan Splash Cove Resort, Spa & Casino
Lopesan’s new family-focused resort
Lopesan Splash Cove is the family and multigenerational component of the development.
The resort has 242 rooms and is designed around water attractions, family accommodations, sports, organized activities and entertainment. Lopesan markets it as an all-inclusive, five-star family resort within the Playa Bávaro complex.
Its official property page lists eight freshwater pool environments, including two water parks and a wave pool. These attractions are supported by sports programming and shared access to family facilities within The Boulevard.
Accommodations for families and groups
Splash Cove’s room inventory includes junior suites, water-park-view rooms, swim-up accommodations, accessible rooms, connecting rooms and larger one- and two-bedroom configurations.
Many junior suites measure approximately 55 square metres, while swim-up rooms are approximately 56 square metres. Connecting configurations provide two linked sleeping spaces, and larger suites offer separate living rooms and additional bedrooms for extended families.
The design responds to a practical challenge common in family travel: keeping parents, children and extended family members close while still allowing different sleeping arrangements and degrees of privacy.
Water-park-view rooms place families near the most active areas of the resort, while swim-up categories provide direct pool access. Guests seeking a quieter location should confirm the precise room position before booking, particularly when choosing between water-park, pool and tropical-view categories.
Restaurants and family dining
Splash Cove’s principal offering includes eight restaurants and ten bars, although many of those venues are shared with Caoba Lagoon and The Boulevard. The resort’s official gastronomy page displays a larger collection of establishments because it includes shared restaurants, buffets, bars, pool bars and clubs accessible across the complex.
Its dining access includes international and themed cuisine, with restaurants such as Lima, Indra, Sotto Terra, Kahlo and Pavilion forming part of the larger resort program. Some venues have dress codes or require reservations, while Brassa Nova remains restricted to adults.
The Boulevard: the social centre of the Lopesan campus
Connecting the new resorts with Lopesan Costa Bávaro is The Boulevard, an open-air dining, shopping, entertainment and nightlife district.
Lopesan describes the space as more of a resort town centre than a conventional hotel lobby or amenity wing. Its facilities are distributed across approximately 30,000 square metres and include restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars, shops, a casino, a theatre, a nightclub, a sports bar, a wine bar, an English-style pub, bowling and arcade facilities.
The July 2026 opening announcement lists an 820-seat theatre as part of the connected campus. A separate Lopesan consumer page describes a theatre configuration of 790 seats, so publishers seeking an exact capacity should confirm the current seating plan directly with the company. “Approximately 800 seats” is the safest wording when the configuration is not material to the story.
The casino occupies approximately 1,200 square metres, according to Lopesan’s current information, and offers slot machines and table games such as poker, roulette and blackjack.
Dining and beverage establishments at The Boulevard include La Bohème, Yolo, Bávaro Coffee, Iceberg, the English Pub, Baco Wine Bar, Teatro Bar and other venues. The district also contains the Chía nightlife space and the Titan Gym Bávaro fitness facility.
For younger guests, the shared campus includes Vibe, intended for guests aged 13 to 17, and the Panchi Kids Club, with programming for children aged 4 to 12. The Boulevard also provides access to Splash Island Waterpark, bowling and arcade entertainment.
One important clarification about the spa and casino
The words “Spa & Casino” appear in the official names of all three new resorts. However, this does not mean Lopesan has constructed three completely separate spas and three separate casinos.
The official website presents Om Spa by Lopesan and The Boulevard casino as shared destination amenities accessible through the wider campus. Travellers should therefore understand the three hotels as having access to spa and casino facilities within the connected resort rather than expecting a dedicated full-scale spa and casino inside each individual hotel building.
Om Spa, fitness and wellness
The shared Om Spa by Lopesan covers more than 2,900 square metres.
Its facilities and treatment program include hydrotherapy, massages, body treatments, wraps, facials and personalized wellness services. The spa is presented as part of the overall Lopesan Bávaro destination and is accessible from the different resort experiences.
Spa treatments should not automatically be assumed to be included in the base all-inclusive rate. Lopesan’s board conditions state that premium services and exclusive experiences may incur supplementary charges. Guests should confirm the cost of hydrotherapy access, massages and beauty treatments for their specific booking category.
The campus also includes Titan Gym Bávaro and a variety of organized sports and recreation. The exact schedule, equipment access, classes and age requirements can vary, making the resort application or current guest-services information the most reliable source during a stay.
What the all-inclusive plan actually covers
Lopesan describes the three resorts as all-inclusive, but that term does not mean every restaurant, treatment, activity or premium beverage is automatically included without conditions.
The published board terms include breakfast, lunch and dinner at buffet restaurants, access to a selection of à-la-carte restaurants with prior reservations, and national and international alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in designated areas. Some premium services and exclusive experiences cost extra.
Restaurant-specific rules remain important. Selected venues require reservations, dress codes or adult status. Opening days and hours differ by restaurant, and cross-resort access does not necessarily eliminate those conditions.
The connected model therefore gives guests a broad choice, but it should not be described as unrestricted access to every establishment at every time.
Why the published restaurant and pool totals overlap
The property pages list:
- Eight restaurants and eight pools for Caoba Lagoon.
- Nine restaurants and nine pools for Serenity Bay.
- Eight restaurants and eight pools for Splash Cove.
Those numbers should not be added together to claim that the three hotels contain 25 completely separate restaurants and 25 completely separate pools.
Serenity Bay’s dining page, for example, identifies some included restaurants as being physically located at Caoba Lagoon or The Boulevard. Splash Cove’s dining page does the same. Pool inventories also include shared lagoon, cenote, beach-club and water-park environments.
The most accurate description is that each hotel provides access to a defined portfolio of restaurants, bars and aquatic facilities within the connected Lopesan destination.
A major convention centre is still to come
Business events and group travel form an important part of Lopesan’s expansion, but the development’s largest new meetings facility was not presented as fully operational on opening day.
Lopesan’s current events page labels the Lopesan Convention Center as opening in 2027. Plans call for 16 rooms, a direct connection to the resort, independent access and outdoor event space.
The company’s July opening release says the centre is designed to accommodate more than 2,000 attendees across its meeting and event program. Lopesan’s detailed facility page lists a capacity of up to 1,900 people in the Caoba Ballroom, which appears to represent the maximum for the principal ballroom rather than the total number of guests distributed across all indoor and outdoor spaces.
The Convention Center will position Caoba Lagoon for conferences, incentive travel, weddings, product launches and large group programs, with direct access to The Boulevard and the resort’s wider dining and entertainment infrastructure.
Until that facility opens, articles and promotional material should avoid implying that all future meeting spaces are already available.
The opening-day experience
To mark the July 7 debut, Lopesan created a ceremonial program for its inaugural guests.
According to the company, the first arrivals received personalized airport greetings, private transportation, resort welcomes, a “Blue Lagoon” cocktail toast, ribbon-cutting activities, in-room culinary amenities and messages from resort management. Certain first guests travelling from the United States also received a certificate for a complimentary three-night return stay.
These activities were launch promotions rather than permanent inclusions in the standard guest experience.
Employment and economic impact
Lopesan says the three-resort expansion created approximately 700 jobs during its initial opening phase. The company expects the number of positions to exceed 1,100 when the complex reaches full operating capacity.
The new rooms, restaurants, bars, aquatic facilities, entertainment venues and future convention business expand the company’s demand for hospitality, culinary, maintenance, entertainment, events and guest-services personnel in the Dominican Republic.
Lopesan has also stated that the three hotels are pursuing the same AAA Four Diamond recognition already obtained by Lopesan Costa Bávaro. That designation is an objective, not an award that the three new resorts had already received at the time of opening.
What this development changes in Punta Cana
The most consequential part of the opening is its product segmentation.
Large all-inclusive resorts traditionally try to accommodate every traveller within a single property. Lopesan has instead divided the experience among three identities while maintaining shared infrastructure.
In practical terms, this could be particularly attractive to weddings, incentive groups and multigenerational parties. Different members of the same group can select an adults-only, family-oriented or all-ages environment without staying in completely separate destinations. That is an inference based on the resorts’ respective positioning and their shared access to The Boulevard, dining and entertainment.
The model also lets Lopesan concentrate expensive amenities—such as the spa, casino, theatre, nightlife district and future Convention Center—in shared spaces instead of replicating them three times.
For guests, the benefit is variety. The trade-off is complexity: the resort map is larger, some restaurants are located outside the guest’s home hotel, age restrictions apply in certain venues, and the exact meaning of “included” depends on board conditions, reservations and room category.
What travellers should verify before booking
As of July 27, 2026, Lopesan has announced that the three hotels are open and have welcomed their first guests. However, the Convention Center is explicitly scheduled for 2027, and the availability of restaurants, entertainment and room categories may evolve during the opening period.
Travellers should confirm five points before reserving:
- The home resort. Caoba Lagoon accepts all ages, Serenity Bay is adults-only and Splash Cove is primarily family-focused.
- The room location. Water-park, pool, tropical, connecting and swim-up categories can provide substantially different experiences.
- Shared-venue access. A restaurant may appear on a hotel’s dining page while being physically located at Caoba Lagoon or The Boulevard.
- Reservations and supplements. Selected à-la-carte restaurants require advance booking, and premium services may cost extra.
- Future facilities. The Lopesan Convention Center is scheduled to open in 2027.
A new all-inclusive district within Playa Bávaro
Lopesan’s Punta Cana expansion is more than a conventional three-hotel opening.
Caoba Lagoon, Serenity Bay and Splash Cove have been designed as separate accommodations within one larger resort ecosystem. Each property has its own identity, audience and atmosphere, but the destination depends on shared restaurants, aquatic environments, beach-club facilities, nightlife, wellness and entertainment.
At the centre is Caoba Lagoon, with its 554 rooms, 127-metre lagoon pool, cenote-inspired spaces and ten waterfalls. Serenity Bay adds a 239-room adults-only retreat, while the 242-room Splash Cove delivers water parks, family accommodations and multigenerational programming. Together, they add 1,035 rooms to Lopesan’s Punta Cana portfolio.
With more than US$350 million invested, a large shared entertainment district and a Convention Center scheduled for 2027, the development establishes a substantially larger Lopesan presence in Playa Bávaro—and introduces a resort model built around choosing one hotel while experiencing a much broader destination.
Marriott Plans a 522-Room All-Inclusive Resort Conversion in Montego Bay
The Million Dollar Blog, 2026, 2027, Montego Bay, New resort, New Resort 2026, New Resort in Jamaica, Resort opening
Insights
Marriott International’s new 522-room all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, announced July 23 and expected to open in 2028.
The groundbreaking of Club Med St. Croix, a 150-suite resort scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027
Marriott Plans a 522-Room All-Inclusive Resort Conversion in Montego Bay in 2028
A major transformation is planned for one of Montego Bay’s established beachfront resorts, with Marriott International and Catalonia Hotels & Resorts preparing to introduce a new 522-room Marriott Hotels all-inclusive property in 2028.
A new Marriott all-inclusive resort for Montego Bay
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts to convert the former Catalonia Montego Bay into a large-scale Marriott Hotels all-inclusive resort.
The agreement was signed in Barcelona on July 22, 2026, and announced the following day. The resort is scheduled to open in 2028, although Marriott has not yet announced a specific opening month or reservation launch date.
Rather than being constructed on an undeveloped site, the project will transform an existing resort property located on the beach near Sangster International Airport. This distinction makes the project a major renovation, conversion and rebranding rather than an entirely new-build hotel.
What will the new Marriott resort include?
Plans call for a 522-room all-inclusive resort with an extensive collection of restaurants, recreational facilities and event spaces.
The property is expected to offer 13 dining venues, three swimming pools, a spa, a fitness centre, tennis and pickleball courts and a lazy river. Marriott also plans approximately 12,917 square feet of meeting and event space, positioning the resort to accommodate weddings, incentive groups, conferences and larger social gatherings.
One of the development’s most valuable features will be its extensive coastline. The property occupies more than 2,130 feet of beachfront, giving the future resort direct access to one of Montego Bay’s established resort areas.
From Holiday Inn to Catalonia and now Marriott
The property has already undergone several changes in identity.
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts announced its acquisition of the Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay in May 2024. At the time, the resort contained 512 rooms, four restaurants or grills, four bars, two swimming pools, a spa, tennis facilities, mini golf and approximately 500 metres of white-sand beachfront.
The resort also included the Rose Hall Club, a 52-room adults-only section with access to exclusive facilities. Catalonia subsequently began investing in renovations intended to modernize the rooms and public spaces.
The Marriott redevelopment will increase the announced inventory from 512 to 522 rooms. It will also expand the food-and-beverage offering, add another swimming pool and introduce amenities such as the lazy river, pickleball courts and more extensive meeting facilities.
Renovation work began before the Marriott agreement
Physical improvements at the resort were already underway well before Marriott’s July 2026 announcement.
SAMPOL, an international engineering and infrastructure company, announced in June 2025 that it had been contracted to undertake a complete technical refurbishment of the hotel’s rooms and common areas. The stated scope included new or upgraded electrical installations, air-conditioning infrastructure, telecommunications systems, plumbing and sanitation.
Catalonia also advised travel partners that more than 200 rooms would be renovated, together with selected amenities and the adults-only pool area. These renovations were initially associated with the Catalonia brand and should not automatically be treated as the complete scope of the future Marriott conversion.
The property later closed following damage associated with Hurricane Melissa. Catalonia currently states that restoration work has begun and that the hotel remains closed indefinitely. The new Marriott agreement now establishes 2028 as the target year for the property’s return under its new international brand.
A branding partnership rather than a Marriott acquisition
The agreement does not appear to represent an outright purchase by Marriott International.
Catalonia is expected to continue owning and managing the resort, while Marriott contributes its internationally recognized Marriott Hotels brand, global distribution capabilities and Marriott Bonvoy platform. This type of arrangement allows an experienced resort operator to retain control of the asset while benefiting from Marriott’s brand recognition and worldwide customer base.
Upon opening, the Montego Bay resort is expected to participate in the Marriott Bonvoy travel ecosystem, connecting the property with Marriott customers and loyalty-program members around the world.
What remains unknown
Several important details have not yet been announced.
Marriott and Catalonia have not publicly confirmed the property’s final consumer-facing name, room categories, restaurant concepts, architectural team, total investment, opening season or date on which reservations will begin. They have also not published a complete set of current construction-progress photographs.
The announced 2028 opening should therefore be treated as a development target. Major resort conversions can be affected by construction conditions, hurricane restoration, permitting, procurement and final brand-approval requirements.
A significant new chapter for the Montego Bay property
The future Marriott resort will not simply introduce another hotel to Montego Bay. It will give a long-established beachfront property a substantially different identity, expanded amenities and access to one of the world’s largest hotel distribution networks.
With 522 rooms, 13 dining venues, three pools, a lazy river and more than 2,130 feet of beachfront, the project is positioned to become one of Montego Bay’s most closely watched resort transformations ahead of its planned 2028 opening.
Video of the New Marriott Catalonia Montego Bay
Five Major Openings to Watch in 2026 and Beyond
The Million Dollar Blog, 2026, 2027, 5 New Caribbean Resorts Opening in 2026–2028, Cancun, Montego Bay, New resort, New Resort 2026, New Resort in Cancun, New Resort in Jamaica, New resort in Punta Cana, New Resort in Riviera Maya, Resort opening, Riviera Maya
Insights
Marriott International’s new 522-room all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, announced July 23 and expected to open in 2028.
The groundbreaking of Club Med St. Croix, a 150-suite resort scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027
Caribbean Resort News: Five Major Openings to Watch in 2026 and Beyond
The Caribbean resort landscape continues to evolve as major international hospitality groups invest in new all-inclusive concepts, luxury retreats and large-scale beachfront destinations.
This week’s most important development stories include a future Marriott Hotels all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay and the official groundbreaking of Club Med St. Croix. These announcements follow several other significant 2026 developments in Cancún, the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana, where hotel groups are introducing increasingly specialized experiences for adults, families, wellness travelers and luxury guests.
Here are five of the most important new Caribbean and Mexican Caribbean resorts to watch.
Marriott plans a major all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay
Marriott International and Catalonia Hotels & Resorts announced on July 23 that the former Catalonia Montego Bay property will be converted into a Marriott Hotels All-Inclusive Resort.
Expected to open in 2028, the beachfront resort will introduce Marriott Hotels’ flagship brand to one of Jamaica’s best-known vacation destinations. Plans call for 522 rooms, 13 dining venues, three swimming pools, a spa, a fitness centre, tennis and pickleball courts, a lazy river and approximately 12,917 square feet of meeting space.
The property is located near Sangster International Airport and is expected to offer more than 2,130 feet—or approximately 650 metres—of beachfront. Although the opening remains several years away, the project is significant because it illustrates Marriott’s continued expansion into the all-inclusive segment through partnerships with experienced regional resort operators.
As of July 2026, Marriott reported 38 operating all-inclusive properties in nine Caribbean and Latin American markets, with another 16 properties representing approximately 5,600 rooms in development.
Club Med breaks ground on its return to U.S. territory
Club Med and VICI Properties have moved forward with the redevelopment of the former Carambola Beach Resort on the northwest coast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Publicized on July 20 following the resort’s groundbreaking ceremony, Club Med St. Croix is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2027. The project will transform the historic beachfront property into a 150-suite resort within Club Med’s high-end Exclusive Collection.
The planned resort will feature three dining concepts, four bars and lounges, an infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a full-service spa, pickleball, beach volleyball, yoga, non-motorized water activities and guided outdoor excursions. It will cater to adults, couples, groups and families travelling with children aged 12 and older.
Club Med also intends to preserve elements of the property’s original architecture and landscape. The former resort was designed during the 1980s according to conservation principles associated with Laurance Rockefeller, incorporating native stone, hardwood and buildings designed to blend into the surrounding Davis Bay landscape.
Club Med St. Croix is expected to create approximately 200 direct jobs, with the company estimating that about 80% could be filled by local workers. The redevelopment is also targeting BREEAM and Green Globe environmental certifications.
Amàre Cancun will join Curio Collection by Hilton in October
Travellers will not have to wait until 2027 or 2028 for every new opening. Hilton and Fuerte Group Hotels announced that Amàre Cancun Adults Only All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton is scheduled to open on October 31, 2026.
Located on Boulevard Kukulcan, approximately 24 kilometres from Cancún International Airport, the resort will contain 429 rooms and suites in two adjacent buildings: a 20-storey main tower and a six-storey secondary tower. Each tower will have a rooftop pool, while every guestroom is planned to offer an ocean view.
The adults-only resort will include nine restaurants, nine bars, a coffee shop, three outdoor pools, a spa with nine treatment rooms, a fitness centre and nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
Its culinary and entertainment programming will combine Mediterranean influences with Mexican and Latin American ingredients, art and music. Hilton has also announced rotating exhibitions by Mexican and Latin American artists, entertainment led by resident DJs and live performers, and dining concepts developed with Michelin-starred chefs.
The property already operates under the Amàre identity and will complete renovations and brand-integration work before joining Curio Collection by Hilton. It is therefore best described as a major conversion and brand debut, rather than an entirely new-build resort.
Park Hyatt Riviera Maya prepares a luxury all-inclusive debut
Hyatt is preparing to bring the Park Hyatt brand to a secluded stretch of the Mexican Caribbean between Cancún and Puerto Morelos.
Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya will be located within AMAI, a private coastal development reached through a mangrove landscape. The relatively low-density resort will offer 148 guestrooms and suites, including accommodations with private or plunge pools and a 2,300-square-foot penthouse.
Unlike the large-scale buffet-oriented model historically associated with some all-inclusive properties, Park Hyatt Riviera Maya is being positioned around personalized service and entirely à-la-carte dining. Its culinary program will include seven venues focused on Mexican cuisine, seafood, international influences, Mexican coffee, wine and premium spirits.
Each guest will be assigned a Resort Ambassador beginning before arrival. Planned amenities include a beachfront pool with private cabanas, an open-air spa garden, daily wellness rituals, indoor and outdoor event spaces and preferred access to El Tinto Golf Course.
The project demonstrates how established luxury hotel brands are adapting the convenience of an all-inclusive stay to a quieter, more residential and service-intensive resort model.
Lopesan opens three connected resorts in Punta Cana
One of the region’s largest recent openings has already welcomed its first guests.
On July 7, Lopesan Hotel Group officially opened three interconnected resorts in Punta Cana: Lopesan Caoba Lagoon Resort Spa & Casino, Lopesan Serenity Bay Spa & Casino and Lopesan Splash Cove Spa & Casino.
Together, the properties add 1,035 rooms to Lopesan’s Dominican Republic portfolio and represent an investment of more than US$350 million.
The three resorts have been designed for different audiences:
Lopesan Caoba Lagoon is the largest, with 554 rooms arranged around a 127-metre lagoon pool, cenote-inspired architectural elements and 10 waterfalls. It will also include a convention centre capable of accommodating more than 2,000 participants.
Lopesan Serenity Bay is an adults-only retreat with 239 rooms, quieter pool areas and dedicated restaurants, while retaining access to the entertainment, nightlife and dining options of the larger complex.
Lopesan Splash Cove is a 242-room family resort featuring a wave pool, water-park attractions, sports and multigenerational entertainment.
The properties are connected through The Boulevard, an open-air pedestrian district with restaurants, cocktail bars, shops, nightlife, an 820-seat theatre and a casino. Lopesan expects the complex to support approximately 1,100 positions once it reaches full operational capacity.
A new generation of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts
These openings reveal a broader transformation taking place across the Caribbean resort industry.
Rather than treating all-inclusive resorts as a single category, hotel groups are creating distinct products for adults, families, luxury travellers, wellness guests, groups and loyalty-program members. Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt are also expanding through conversions and partnerships with established resort owners, allowing them to introduce their global brands into mature Caribbean destinations more quickly.
At the same time, larger developments such as Lopesan’s Punta Cana complex are functioning almost like self-contained resort districts, with multiple hotels, convention facilities, entertainment venues, restaurants and public gathering spaces in one integrated destination.
For travellers, the result is a wider choice of resort experiences. For the hospitality industry, these projects demonstrate that the Caribbean remains an important testing ground for new luxury and all-inclusive concepts.
Opening dates are announced targets and may change because of construction schedules, renovations, regulatory approvals or operational decisions. Dates should be reconfirmed with the resort company before publication or booking.
Caribbean Real Estate Market Forecast 2025–2028: Why Luxury Homes Are Thriving
The Million Dollar Blog, 2026, 2027, 2028, Caribbean properties, Caribbean Properties Price for 2026, Caribbean Real estate 2026, CBI
Caribbean Luxury Real Estate Market Outlook 2025–2028
The Caribbean has always been a dream destination, but today it is also one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury property markets. From beachfront villas to branded residences, the region’s real estate is thriving—and the next three years look exceptionally promising for investors and lifestyle buyers alike.
Tourism Fuels Property Demand
Tourism across the Caribbean is breaking records, with visitor arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic highs. This boom creates steady demand for vacation homes, rental villas, and branded condos.
Key Insight: More visitors = higher rental yields and stronger resale values. That’s why islands like the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and St. Lucia are experiencing rising interest in prime properties.
Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment Programs
Luxury real estate in the Caribbean is increasingly linked to citizenship-by-investment (CBI). Nations such as Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Kitts & Nevis allow investors to purchase approved real estate projects in exchange for residency benefits.
This dual advantage—a dream home and a second passport—makes the Caribbean unique in the global property market.
Branded Residences: A New Era of Luxury
A major trend shaping the forecast is the rise of branded residences. Imagine owning a villa or condo managed by a world-class hotel brand, with full concierge, rental programs, and worry-free maintenance.
These properties are in high demand, offering investors:
Turnkey ownership
Strong rental management systems
Resort-style amenities
Destinations like the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and the Bahamas are leading the way in this segment.
Sustainability Adds Long-Term Value
Eco-conscious living is no longer optional—it’s expected. Caribbean developers are embracing:
Solar power and energy-efficient homes
Hurricane-resistant architecture
Marine and coastal preservation projects
This makes new luxury developments not only stylish but also resilient and sustainable, enhancing long-term property value.
Island-by-Island Highlights
Bahamas & Turks & Caicos → Consistent leaders with strong tourism, high demand, and branded luxury projects.
Barbados & St. Lucia → Attractive for villas, long-stay living, and lifestyle-driven buyers.
Dominican Republic → The value champion, with major projects and world-class infrastructure.
Grenada, Antigua & Dominica → Boutique islands where CBI-approved luxury homes are booming.
Market Forecast: Steady Growth Ahead
Experts project 3–6% annual growth in property values in prime Caribbean markets between 2025 and 2028.
Prime markets: 3–6% price growth per year
Secondary markets: Stable, with slower appreciation but rising rental yields
With record tourism, CBI benefits, and sustainable developments, the Caribbean market is positioned for long-term strength and stability.
Why Now Is the Time to Invest
✔️ Strong rental demand from record tourism
✔️ Citizenship-by-investment opportunities
✔️ Eco-friendly, future-proof homes
✔️ Branded residences with guaranteed services
✔️ A safe, stable region attracting global wealth
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Caribbean Real Estate
Caribbean luxury real estate isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. From world-class branded villas to eco-conscious beachfront homes, the market is full of opportunity for investors and families seeking paradise.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning property in the Caribbean, 2025–2028 may be the golden window to invest.