Hyatt recently announced an agreement to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts, a leading owner and operator of inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, for approximately $2.6 billion.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Hyatt and look forward to delivering the many benefits of the transaction to Playa’s shareholders, guests, employees and other stakeholders,” said Bruce D. Wardinski, Chairman and CEO, Playa Hotels & Resorts. “Following a deliberate and comprehensive review of opportunities, the Playa Board concluded that the proposed transaction with Hyatt is in the best interest of the Company. As a result of our robust process and engagement with a number of potential counterparties, we are confident that this transaction maximizes shareholder value. The transaction will deliver to Playa shareholders a 40% premium to the Company’s unaffected stock price prior to the disclosure of exclusive discussions with Hyatt.”

Through this acquisition comes the opportunity to secure long-term management agreements for Hyatt’s luxury all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva- and Hyatt Zilara-branded properties. The acquisition will also expand Hyatt’s distribution channels like ALG Vacations and Unlimited Vacation Club to Playa’s portfolio, offering additional benefits to guests of Playa hotels.

“Hyatt has firmly established itself as a leader in the all-inclusive space, a journey that began in 2013 through an investment in Playa Hotels & Resorts that launched the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara brands,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt. “We have respected and benefited from Playa’s operating expertise and outstanding guest experience delivery for years through their ownership and management of eight of our Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara hotels. This pending transaction allows us to broaden our portfolio while providing more value to all of our stakeholders through an expanded management platform for all-inclusive resorts.”

Expected to close later this year, this acquisition is just the latest in a series of moves for Hyatt into the luxury, lifestyle and all-inclusive resort space. In 2021, Hyatt acquired Apple Leisure Group. Last year, Hyatt also completed a 50/50 strategic joint venture with Grupo Piñero, which added the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts portfolio to Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, which currently includes about 55,000 rooms across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Also in 2024, Hyatt acquired luxury travel platform Mr. and Mrs. Smith, allowing World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at a collection of more than 700 boutique and luxury hotels and villas around the globe.

In addition to having properties within the Playa Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Hyatt currently owns a nearly 10 percent stake in Playa Hotels & Resorts.

Have you stayed at a Playa property before? Have you stayed at a Hyatt Zilara or Ziva property before? What was your experience like? What are your thoughts on large hotel brands moving into the all-inclusive resort sector? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.