The Pétionville suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has long been a tourism-friendly area, with a smattering of boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Now it is home to a Best Western Premier, the first of several of the hotelier’s upscale branded Caribbean properties.

To celebrate the start of its $9 million transformation, the South Beach Marriott in Florida is offering a “SOBE Soiree” package, which invites clients to experience the beachfront accommodations while sipping on complimentary cocktails.

The Westin Puntacana Resort is scheduled to open in December 2013, at the exclusive Puntacana Resort & Club. It is the second property run by the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in Punta Cana.

Viceroy Hotel Group has made one of its most important portfolio additions to date, announcing the planned 2017 opening of Viceroy Dubai, Palm Jumeirah. The $1 billion dollar endeavor marks the company’s first venture into Dubai and its second in the United Arab Emirates.