Central and South America See Hospitality Sector Accelerate Activity, Continue Upward Trend
The Central and South American hospitality market is on the rise.
By Alex Girda, Associate Editor
The Central and South American hospitality market is on the rise. The slam-dunk Brazil scored by becoming the host country of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2016 Olympic Games, has cemented the emergence of Latin America as a fellow economy-to-watch alongside the Southeast Asian “tigers.” Over the past months, a clear emergence of the hotel and resort sector is clearly visible in this part of the world, and recent news seems to further reinforce that statement.
During recent weeks, MHN and CPE have reported on a number of hospitality projects in countries from Central and South America such as Argentina and Panama. San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina’s new Hilton Garden Inn and Panama’s upcoming W-brand hotel are now joined by three new hospitality developments that in various stages of completion.
Marriott International has recently announced that it is planning to bring the upscale JW Marriott Hotel in Peru’s world famous Machu Picchu. The hotel operator is committing to the historic appeal the area carries and will incorporate artifacts found in the area into the hotel’s design. The 153-key venue is located just at the entrance of the famous Andes mountain sanctuary, 11,154 feet above sea level, making it Marriott International’s highest-altitude hotel. The JW Marriott in Cusco is the 52nd venue worldwide to bear that brand name.
The hotel will feature two restaurants: Pirka Restaurant featuring an original colonial wall from the nearby convent and serve modern Peruvian cuisine, as well as the Qespi Bar & Ninna Sonnoco Lounge. Client amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a large spa and a relaxation pool. Due to its location, the hotel will provide in-room supplemental oxygen systems to prevent any issues visitors might have with the altitude adjustment.
Costa Rica is another country in which a massive resort has announced its presence recently. RIU Hotels & Resorts is set to open its second hotel in the country, therefore bringing its luxury range, the Riu Palace, to the region. Located in the Guanacaste area, the hotel will join the company’s three year-old Riu Guanacaste hotel, already a hit among tourists. Taking shape right on the beach, the Riu Palace Costa Rica will be a 538-key venue offering free Wi-Fi and around the clock room service. Five dining spots including Arenal, a restaurant offering international cuisine, as well as four additional restaurants featuring Japanese, Italian, steakhouse-style and modern specialties.
The five-star RIU Palace’s amenity package includes four pools, as well as the ‘El Poblado’ street, littered with souvenir shops, boutiques and a photographic shop. The resort will also include the Renova Spa, where guests have access to the gym, sauna and Jacuzzi.
Brazil is the last country on this list to have a new hospitality venue, this time by the Brazil Hospitality Group. The Hangar Hotel Complex is the largest project of its kind in the Brazilian state of Para and, through the two hotels that compose it, totals 405 rooms. The Tulip Inn Hangar and Soft Inn Hangar were designed by Liberty Incorporadora and were built close to the Hangar Convention Center, as well as the Belem International Airport.
Soft Inn Hangar features 273 low-cost rooms, while Tulip Inn Hangar points its 132 rooms towards a more upscale clientele. Announced by the country’s third largest hotel chain in 2010, the two facilities are part of a low-to-midscale range Brazil Hospitality Group offers its guests. The Soft Inn brand applies to two-star hotels that cater to visitors seeking great cost-to-benefit ratios, while the Tulip Inn venues carry a broader three-star rating.
