Hyatt to Transform Former Hilton Resorts Following Playa Hotels Acquisition
In a significant move for the hospitality industry, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is nearing the completion of its acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts, a deal valued at approximately $2.6 billion, finalized in February. This strategic acquisition will see Hyatt converting five of Playa’s all-inclusive resorts into its own branded properties, enabling the company to expand its footprint in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Resorts Transitioning to Hyatt Brands
Four of the properties transitioning to Hyatt are currently under the Hilton brand. According to a detailed analysis by Baird Equity Research’s Michael Bellisario, the following resorts will undergo branding changes:
- The Hilton Playa del Carmen will become part of the new Hyatt Vivid brand.
- Both the Hilton La Romana family and adults-only resorts in the Dominican Republic will transition to the Dreams and Secrets brands.
- The Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica will be reflagged as Dreams Rose Hall.
Additionally, the Wyndham Alltra Cancun will be rebranded as Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa. Notably, the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa and the Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen are expected to retain their current brand identities, as Playa owns the Jewel brand.
Impact on Hilton’s Portfolio
This transition will reduce Hilton’s all-inclusive offerings to just twelve properties spread across Mexico, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Greece, and Turkiye. Although the loss of these resorts is deemed a “strategic loss” by Bellisario, it is not expected to significantly impact Hilton’s overall earnings.
Hyatt’s Growing Portfolio of All-Inclusive Resorts
The acquisition bolsters Hyatt’s already robust lineup of all-inclusive resorts, which includes:
- Hyatt Ziva Cancun
- Hyatt Zilara Cancun
- Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
- Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta in Mexico
- Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
- Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic
- Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
- Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Jamaica
With this strategic acquisition and the subsequent conversion of its properties, Hyatt is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the lucrative all-inclusive market.
For additional insights about this acquisition and its implications for the hospitality industry, visit Travel Weekly.
