PRESS RELEASE (May 9, 2023) – BWH Hotel Group® announces the signing of three additional hotels as the company continues its rapid expansion across the Caribbean region. The new hotels include the region’s first Aiden® hotel in Curacao; a new construction Best Western Plus® at the Puerto Plata International Airport; and Mayaguez Plaza Hotel, a new BW Signature Collection® hotel in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
The region’s first Aiden hotel is the new-construction Aiden Resort Bapor-Kibra, which is set to open in 2026. Situated on a hillside overlooking the trendy Mambo Beach area, and just a five-minute walk to the beach, the resort will feature 160 guestrooms with first-floor private plunge pools and a large pool for all guests, rooftop bar, 10 on-site dining concepts, casino, and convenience store. Developers Nathalie Faria and Akash Soemeer were inspired through travel to “reimagine the hotel experience through [their] own approach to owning and operating a hotel,” according to Faria. “It’s the first property on-island with everything on-premises. This is one of the hottest areas in Curacao for development right now,” she added.
In the Dominican Republic, a new construction hotel that will open in early 2025 as a Best Western Plus and is set to be the first hotel at the Puerto Plata International Airport on the north coast. The hotel, which is scheduled to begin construction within 24 months, will feature 92 guestrooms and suites, meeting space, fitness center, outdoor pool, dining room, and business center. It will be developed and managed by Neon Lights Estate Corp, according to Juan Tomas Diaz, CEO of the company. Miguel Rene De la Cruz, project director, said that Neon Lights plans two additional BWH Hotel Group projects in the Dominican Republic including one in Cabeza-de-Toro/Punta Cana, and another in Juan Dolio.
The third hotel recently signed is the Mayaguez Plaza Hotel, a BW Signature Collection in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The iconic boutique-style hotel is located on the plaza in the heart of Mayaguez, where in 1904 it served as the monastery for the adjacent Our Lady of the Candelaria Cathedral. According to Nestor Ruiz Colon, whose company, IHP Hospitality, owns and operates the hotel, 20 additional boutique-style extended-stay rooms will be created in existing adjacent buildings as the company spearheads development of the Mayaguez Tourist Zone. The hotel is open and operating now, welcoming guests to the famed and historic city in western Puerto Rico.
“BWH Hotel Group has been focused on growing our presence in the Caribbean region and we are proud to announce the signings of these three beautiful hotels in the Dominican Republic, Curacao, and Puerto Rico,” said Brad LeBlanc, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, BWH Hotel Group. “These hotels will be excellent additions to our global portfolio and will undoubtedly provide our valued guests with more options for exceptional travel experiences in the region.”
“Each of these hotels will bring a unique experience for travelers to the Caribbean region,” said Bill Clegg, Caribbean Director of Development, BWH Hotel Group. “From the modern style and local charm of our Aiden brand to the trusted service and contemporary amenities of Best Western Plus, and the truly authentic and enticing offerings of BW Signature Collection, locals and travelers alike are sure to enjoy these new offerings in the region.”
About BWH Hotel Group®
BWH Hotel Group is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels®. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline