Marriott International is continuing its expansion in the all-inclusive space via a new, long-term partnership with Sunwing Travel Group's Blue Diamond Resorts arm, under which Marriott plans to more than double its existing all-inclusive footprint.
Under the joint venture, Marriott will add 19 franchised resorts totaling 7,000 rooms across six Caribbean and Latin American destinations to its all-inclusive portfolio. All 19 properties will be flagged under Marriott's Autograph Collection, with the majority expected to be converted by the middle of this year.
The move is expected to grow Marriott's all-inclusive presence to 33 properties by 2025, and also marks the company's first foray into St. Lucia and Antigua.
The Blue Diamond properties set to convert to the Autograph Collection portfolio include the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun, Planet Hollywood Adult Scene Cancun and the Royalton CHIC Suites Cancun Resort & Spa in Mexico; the Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa, Royalton CHIC Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Royalton Splash Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino and the Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; and the Royalton White Sands Montego Bay, Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay, Hideaway at Royalton Negril, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa and Grand Lido Negril in Jamaica.
Also set to join the fold are the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, the Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia, the Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa and the Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica.
Marriott first began ramping up its focus on the all-inclusive sector in August 2019, announcing plans to begin flagging all-inclusive resorts under a variety of its full-service and luxury brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Luxury Collection, Marriott, Westin, W, Autograph Collection and Delta by Marriott. (Prior to the push, Marriott's sole all-inclusive was the Westin Golf Resort and Spa in Playa Conchal, Costa Rica.)
Soon after, the company doubled down on its all-inclusive plans with its acquisition of Elegant Hotels in Barbados in late 2019 as well as new all-inclusive expansions slated for Jamaica and Curacao.
Marriott's all-inclusive footprint currently spans nine open hotels across Costa Rica, Barbados and Mexico, with an additional five hotels in the pipeline in Mexico, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil.