by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Wed March 4, 2026
Marriott International added nearly 40 properties to its portfolio in the Caribbean and Latin America last year, with a record 94 signed deals across its brands.
The Caribbean and Latin America are lumped together in the hospitality industry as the CALA region. Marriott's year of growth added over 10,000 rooms to its regional portfolio, a 40 percent increase in signed transactions from 2024.
Conversions, or the acquisition of existing hotels and resorts, were a major driver of this growth, accounting for nearly 30 acquisitions and 30 percent of the new rooms added. These included the City Express by Marriott brand.
Additionally, Marriott's luxury growth is another key to its success. It opened Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica, last year, along with Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico.
New Marriott all-inclusives include the Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adult All-Inclusive, and the W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive resort. All-inclusives have experienced strong demand since the end of the pandemic, mainly for their value proposition.
"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. This expansion reflects Marriott's adaptability and innovation," said Brian King, President of Enterprise Transformation and the Caribbean and Latin America.
"Our focus has been on listening to the wishes of travelers and responding with an unparalleled brand portfolio, offering everything from luxury resorts to approachable midscale solutions," said King. "This success is the result of a shared vision with our owners and investors, and the commitment of our teams to deliver exceptional experiences in every destination."
By the end of 2026, Marriott will boast 555 open hotels and resorts representing over 95,000 rooms across 37 countries and territories worldwide. The CALA region will have 71 of these hotels and resorts, with an additional 38 in the pipeline.
Its pipeline currently includes Bvlgari Resort & Residences, Cave, Exuma in the Bahamas and Cotton Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Residences in Eleuthera, Bahamas, both expected to open in 2029.
Marriott's also increasing its presence in Brazil, which it calls a "strategic market." It currently has 15 hotels and resorts in Brazil across nine brands, but expects continued growth in the South American country. It's currently developing a Tribute Portfolio hotel and a new Westin all-inclusive resort in Brazil.
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