On May 1, 2013, South Beach Marriott, a boutique beachfront hotel in the much sought after South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood of Miami Beach, began a six-month, $9 million redesign. The renovation is intended to introduce a livable yet luxurious, residential feel, with high quality finishes.

The new Couples Resort has held its official opening ceremony in Barbados.The 280-room property is located at the former Almond Casuarina Beach Resort. The company concluded its deal to lease the property in January 2013.

The first international resort for Kimpton Hotels will open on the Caribbean Island of Grand Cayman in 2016, marking an important milestone both for San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels and for the re-emergence of resort development in the Caribbean.

“We are thrilled that Breezes Bahamas’ environmental efforts earned the international recognition,” said Zein Issa Nakash, Super Club’s Vice President of Marketing and Environmental Affairs. “We feel very strong about doing our part to minimize waste and preserve the island’s natural beauty and attractions. We signed on to Green Globe to ensure that we are utilizing best practices globally, and setting benchmarks for continual environmental improvements year after year.”

Ritz-Carlton announced plans to open a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in 2016 on Pearl Island, a private island 45 miles south of Panama City, Panama. The 80-room open-air luxury resort will offer a spa, private beach club, three swimming pools and three restaurants. The spa will feature outdoor treatment rooms and tree-top villas offering indigenous treatments. The hotel will offer guests access to a marina, a dive center, a fishing village and an equestrian center.