JW Marriott Opens in Santo Domingo

By: - August 28th, 2014

Above: the new JW Marriott in Santo Domingo (Photo: Marriott)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first-ever JW Marriott in the Dominican Republic has opened its doors in Santo Domingo.

The 150-room property, which is located in the capital’s Piantini district, is located above the city’s Blue Mall within a 15-story tower that first opened in 2010.

“The inauguration of this project is a very special moment for the Dominican Republic,” Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia said. “It is a moment where we making history with the level of tourism growth.”

It was developed by Fondo de Valores Inmobilarios, led by Luis Emilio Velutini.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Mr. Velutini on this project, and reveal our first world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel to the Caribbean,” said Craig Smith, president of the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International. “This beautiful hotel brings the highest levels of accommodations and service to the Dominican Republic and is a great addition to the brand’s growing global portfolio.”

It is the first JW Marriott in the region outside of Mexico, home to the JW Marriott Cancun, but, perhaps more crucially, the property offers a series of amenities largely unprecedented for a business hotel in the Caribbean, including LCD TVs, Apple TV in every room, embedded TVs in the bathroom mirrors, Nespresso coffee machines and iPhone 5 docking stations, among others.

“The opening of this high luxury, sophisticated hotel marks an important milestone in the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry,” Velutini said. “With the thriving economy in the country and the success of the high-end Blue Mall complex, we are confident that this unique and visually stunning hotel will become a landmark in Santo Domingo attracting travelers and groups from all over the world.”

The hotel includes nine event spaces, including a 1,158-square-foot ballroom.

“Each JW Marriott delivers a warm, authentic, relaxed and elegant environment that is unique to the luxury segment, and we are thrilled to open our doors for business and receive guests to experience this incredible new hotel,” said Nigel Cook, general manager of the hotel, in a release.

Hotel News

Jamaica Agriculture Minister Dies

Above: (left) Former Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke in 2012 By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke passed away on Thursday morning, the government announced in a statement. Clarke died in hospital where he had completed a surgery, the government said. Clarke had served eight different terms in Jamaica’s Parliament, having also served […]

Hotel News

Island Shop: Five Perfumes Made in the Caribbean

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor Rum, coffee and straw baskets are classic Caribbean keepsakes but locally produced scents also make evocative souvenirs. Get a noseful of these five fragrances, guaranteed to bring back memories of your tropical trip. Goombay, Bahamas This unisex scent from Freeport, Grand Bahama perfumery Fragrance of the Bahamas combines spices […]

Hotel News

Antigua, China Agree on $32.6 Million Assistance Package

Above: Antigua PM Gaston Browne in China (Photo: ABG) By the Caribbean Journal staff Antigua and Barbuda and China have agreed on a $32.6 million assistance package, Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced. According to Browne, who is currently on an official visit to China, said he had negotiated the deal following a “frank and […]


St Lucia Sustainable Development Minister Heads to Samoa

Above: Samoa By the Caribbean Journal staff St Lucia Sustainable Development Minister Dr James Fletcher will be visiting Samoa for the upcoming third International UN Small Island Developing States Conference. Fletcher’s visit will be financed by the government of Taiwan. The conference aims to determine how much progress has been made since the Barbados Programme […]

10 Secret Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts

Above: Round Hill, Jamaica THERE ARE terrific all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean. But there are also some wonderful EP properties that also offer all-inclusive options, meaning that you can have the best of both worlds. Here are 10 “secret” all-inclusives across the Caribbean, from Jamaica to Curacao — properties you may not have realized have all-inclusive […]

Starwood Names New CFO

Above: Samoa By the Caribbean Journal staff St Lucia Sustainable Development Minister Dr James Fletcher will be visiting Samoa for the upcoming third International UN Small Island Developing States Conference. Fletcher’s visit will be financed by the government of Taiwan. The conference aims to determine how much progress has been made since the Barbados Programme […]

IMF: Grenada Economic Recovery "Slowly Taking Hold"

Above: Grenada (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Grenada has made a strong start in implementing its new IMF programme, the fund said following the completion of its first review of its programme with the country. The programme was approved in June for a total amount of $21.7 million. “The economic recovery is slowly […]