Sonesta Sets Latin American Expansion Plans
Sonesta announced its aggressive expansion in Latin America, with seven new hotel projects in Colombia, Chile and Peru to open over the next year. This expansion is the result of master franchise agreements in place with GHL Grupo Hoteles S.C.A., which currently operates Sonesta’s properties throughout Peru.
This plan aligns with Sonesta’s strategy to expand its brand internationally and capture business in some of Latin America’s most desirable emerging markets. With existing properties in Lima, Arequipa, Puno, Yucay and Cusco in Peru, in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, Brazil, and a long-time presence in Miami, Sonesta has already built a strong following among discerning guests in this region.
Sonesta Hotel Valledupar will open at the end of April with 120 rooms and will feature first-class amenities, a full-service business center, fine dining restaurant, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a swimming pool and fitness center. The hotel is adjacent to a new shopping mall and will be the first full-service hotel in the area.
Sonesta Hotel Barranquilla, opening February 2010, will feature 126 guest rooms, business center, health club and swimming pool and restaurant and lounge, 2,600 square feet of meeting space. This hotel offers the convenience of an attached shopping mall featuring 50 restaurants and shops, a large casino and Barranquilla’s largest nightclub.
Sonesta Hotel Cartagena has a planned opening date of April 2010, with 100 guest rooms overlooking a private beach. The hotel will feature an international restaurant and a cafe, tennis, health club, swimming pool, business center and conference rooms. Sonesta Hotel Osorno will open at the end of May 2009, providing 123 business class guest rooms with first class service.
The hotel will offer a business center, full-service restaurant, 3,000 square feet of meeting space and a casino with shopping arcade. Sonesta Hotel Concepcion has a June 2009 opening plan, and will offer 120 rooms attached to an 80,000-square-foot destination casino and shopping arcade. The hotel will feature a business center, theater, restaurant and meeting space.
Sonesta Hotel Calama is due to open in August 2009 with 148 rooms and suites. This first-class hotel will offer a casino, restaurant, health club, swimming pool and business center. Sonesta Hotel Cusco is scheduled to open in August with 120 rooms located on the Avenue del Sol, overlooking the park and mountains, just six blocks from the main square and two blocks from the Temple of the Sun, “Coricancha.”
GHL Hoteles, Sonesta’s partner in Peru since 2005, owns and operates hotels throughout South America. With more than 40 years of experience in the hotel industry, GHL operates hotels under the Sheraton, Four Point by Sheraton, Howard Johnson and Sonesta flags. Currently, GHL operates 32 hotels in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Panama.
