Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Announces New Resort on Roatán Island to Open in Early 2021

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced last week it will open a boutique resort on Roatán Island's exquisite West Bay Beach in early 2021. The new Kimpton resort in Roatán, Honduras will mark the third resort for the boutique hotel company in the Caribbean, joining the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman, which opened in November 2016, and the Kimpton Kawana Bay Resort in Grenada, which plans to open in late 2020.

Owned and developed by Vista Capital, the new Kimpton Roatán will be a complete reimagining of the existing Grand Roatán Resort and mark the first internationally branded hospitality offering on the island. With established Caribbean architects Lane Pettigrew Associates at the helm, the new Kimpton will expand the footprint of the property to a total of 126 guest rooms inclusive of 43 one- and two-bedroom suites and one Presidential suite. Guests of the resort will enjoy amenities such as a rooftop sky bar with a glass-fronted pool, expansive outdoor pool, chef-driven restaurant, lounge and beach bars, fitness center, luxurious spa, water sports facilities and nearly 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meetings and events space.

Mike DeFrino, Chief Executive Officer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, said: "We continue to prioritize our expansion in the Caribbean market and see Roatán as a tremendous opportunity to deliver a unique experience to our Kimpton loyalists and IHG Rewards Club members. It is no small feat to be the first boutique hospitality brand in this beautiful destination. We are excited to be partnering with Vista Capital, who are equally committed to honoring the local heritage and culture in a sustaining, eco-conscious way."

The largest of Honduras's Caribbean Bay Islands, Roatán sits atop the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, making its turquoise waters a sought-after destination by snorkel and scuba diving enthusiasts and adventure tourists alike. While perhaps a lesser known destination, Roatán has a rich history tracing back to its indigenous Paya peoples and is regarded as the gateway to Central America. Nestled on the pristine white sands of West Bay Beach, the Kimpton Roatán aims to celebrate the island's diversity and local culture in its thoughtful artwork, incorporating Paya artifacts loaned from the national museum into its destination spa, and its carefully designed sustainability-driving infrastructure, boasting solar technologies, on-site water desalination and eco-friendly touches throughout.

David Dachner, President, Vista Capital, explained: "We've long felt the island of Roatán to be one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean. We were so inspired and impassioned by the local culture here that we wanted to partner with a top operator to bring our vision to life, opening the doors of Roatán to the world. We are so thrilled to have Kimpton join us in this history-making moment, and know that our new resort will soon become a well-known paradise."