The JW Marriott will make its debut in the Caribbean.

(Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo) — JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International's world-class luxury hotel brand, recently announced plans to establish a new 131-room JW Marriott Hotel in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital, in 2014. Marriott will manage the mixed-use residential and commercial complex as part of a deal with Grupo Velutini, a Panamanian subsidiary of Fondo de Valores Inmobiliarios (FVI).

President Leonel Fernandez, Marriott International chairman J.W. Marriott, Jr., Grupo Velutini owner/president Luis Emilio Velutini, and Rob Steigerwald, Marriott International chief operating officer, Americas, attended the official announcement event at the hotel site within the Blue Mall. qatar property

"The Dominican Republic is a very desired destination for today's luxury tourist and a developing business hub in the Caribbean," stated Marriott International Chairman J.W. Marriott, Jr.

"As a result, it's great for our JW Marriott brand, which is now present in 22 countries around the globe."

The JW Marriott Santo Domingo will be located in the first seven floors of a 15-story mixed-use tower being built above the existing Blue Mall Santo Domingo, which opened in 2010 and features 20,000 square meters of commercial space over six floors, including high-end retail such as Louis Vuitton, in the Piantini area, Santo Domingo's primary business, commercial, and residential district.

"We are ecstatic to offer the JW Marriott brand of luxury to Santo Domingo," stated Grupo Velutini owner and president Luis Emilio Velutini. "And we know it will be successful because of its ideal location above the Blue Mall and close access to key enterprises."

A three-meal-a-day restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, and a pool snack bar will be among the hotel's 131 guest rooms and suites. It will contain a fitness center and a swimming pool, as well as 589 square meters of conference space, including a ballroom and two smaller rooms.

Gomez Vasques Aldana Asociados, a well-known Mexican business with vast expertise in the hospitality industry throughout Latin America and in Santo Domingo, is the project's primary architect.

"We are privileged to begin this cooperation with Mr. Velutini and FVI, which has one of Latin America's greatest real estate portfolios," says Laurent de Kousemaeker, Marriott International's Caribbean and Latin America chief development officer. "We already have two hotels in Santo Domingo and are confident that the JW Marriott luxury brand will be warmly welcomed."

There are 53 JW Marriott hotels in 22 countries right now. By 2015, the company's portfolio would consist of 80 properties spread across 29 countries.