By Alexander Britell

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants is expanding again in the Caribbean, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The popular upscale hotel brand is planning to open a new boutique resort on Roatan off the Caribbean coast of Honduras.

The new property, which will be the third Caribbean resort for the brand, is slated to make its debut in “early 2021,” according to a statement.

The new Kimpton Roatan will join the existing Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman and the in-development Kimpton Kawana Bay Resort in Grenada; the latter is slated to open in late 2020.

The property, owned and developed by Vista Capital, will be the first internationally-branded hotel in Roatan, with 126 guest rooms (including 43 suites) and amenities like a rooftop sky bar with a glass-fronted pool; a large outdoor pool, a “chef-driven restaurant”; lounges and beach bars and more than 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, according to the company.

“We continue to prioritize our expansion in the Caribbean market and see Roatán as a tremendous opportunity to deliver a unique experience to our Kimpton loyalists and IHG Rewards Club members,” said Mike DeFrino, CEO of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “It is no small feat to be the first boutique hospitality brand in this beautiful destination. We are excited to be partnering with Vista Capital, who are equally committed to honoring the local heritage and culture in a sustaining, eco-conscious way.”

Roatan.

Roatan has long been a favorite of Caribbean aficionados drawn to its laid-back vibe and tremendous snorkeling and diving, among other features.

“We’ve long felt the island of Roatán to be one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean,” explained David Dachner, President of Vista Capital. “We were so inspired and impassioned by the local culture here that we wanted to partner with a top operator to bring our vision to life, opening the doors of Roatán to the world. We are so thrilled to have Kimpton join us in this history-making moment, and know that our new resort will soon become a well-known paradise.”

Kimpton is part of the IHG umbrella of hotel brands.

— CJ