PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Global hospitality group Accor has announced a significant expansion of its presence in the Dominican Republic with the signing of a new Novotel hotel in Punta Cana and the introduction of the Swissôtel brand in Santo Domingo, reinforcing the company’s long-term growth strategy across the Caribbean.
The new Novotel Punta Cana Airport will represent an investment of approximately US$22 million by the project’s developers and is scheduled to open in 2027. The 105-room property will be operated by 3C Hotels, a hospitality management company with an established presence across Latin America.
According to Accor, the project has been designed to meet the evolving needs of both business and leisure travelers seeking convenience, connectivity, and modern amenities in one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.
Located just five minutes from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), the hotel aims to address growing demand for accommodation options outside the traditional all-inclusive resort model that dominates the region’s hospitality market.
Abel Castro, Chief Development Officer of Accor Americas, described the agreements as an important milestone in the company’s Caribbean expansion strategy.
“The signing of these two hotel projects represents a strategic step for Accor in the Caribbean and reinforces our commitment to growth in both urban markets and high-potential beach destinations,” Castro said. “These partnerships allow us to introduce globally recognized brands while creating a foundation for future development opportunities throughout the region.”
The Novotel Punta Cana Airport will feature a contemporary design focused on flexibility and guest experience. Planned amenities include a double-height lobby, a central social bar, coworking spaces, a fitness center, restaurant facilities, and event areas capable of accommodating up to 150 guests.
Additional services will include airport transportation, beach club access, and multiple food and beverage offerings. One of the development’s standout features will be a rooftop terrace equipped with a bar and Jacuzzis, providing guests with a leisure-focused experience close to the airport.
The Punta Cana project comes as the destination continues to experience strong tourism growth, increasing demand for diversified lodging options, and expanding business travel activity linked to real estate, infrastructure, and tourism investments.
At the same time, Accor is strengthening its presence in the Dominican capital through a partnership with Noval Properties to develop Swissôtel Santo Domingo. The mixed-use project will be developed under Swissôtel’s “Crafting Pure Living” philosophy and will combine hospitality and residential components.
The development is expected to include approximately 75 hotel rooms alongside nearly 180 residential units, reflecting the growing trend toward integrated hospitality and real estate projects in major Caribbean markets.
The announcement highlights Accor’s confidence in the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector and underscores the country’s growing appeal to international hotel brands seeking opportunities in both resort destinations and urban centers. As global hospitality investment continues to accelerate, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo remain among the most attractive markets for new hotel development in the Caribbean.
