Luxury and upper-upscale hotel occupancy in Puerto Rico increased by 14% between 2025 and 2026, with visitors booking 262,779 hotel nights in 2025, marking an 18% year-over-year rise. This surge in demand has drawn major hotel chains to expand their presence in the Caribbean territory.
Nobu Hospitality Global Expansion and Brand Profile
Nobu Hospitality, founded in the 1990s by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and producer Meir Teper, operates 20 hotels worldwide as of 2026. Since opening its first hotel in Las Vegas in 2013, Nobu has planned 28 additional properties over the next decade, including locations in Barbuda, New York, and Rutland in the
English countryside.
Nobu’s New San Juan Hotel Details
Nobu will launch its first hotel in Puerto Rico with a 50-room luxury property in San Juan scheduled for completion by 2028. The project is a collaboration with real estate firm KTT. The hotel will include a signature Nobu restaurant and bar at street level, complemented by a rooftop bar and lounge. Culinary offerings will feature Nobu’s renowned black miso cod and lychee martini.
The hotel’s design will incorporate Puerto Rican cultural elements to reflect the island’s heritage, providing guests with a distinct sense of place, according to a press release from Nobu Hospitality.
Official Statements on Puerto Rico Expansion
Trevor Horwell, chief executive
of Nobu Hospitality, stated, “Puerto Rico has long been one of the Caribbean’s most compelling destinations, celebrated for its rich history, vibrant culture, and exceptional hospitality.” He added that introducing the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant in San Juan enables the brand to join “one of the region’s most storied neighborhoods while introducing our distinctive approach to hospitality in a destination that continues to attract discerning travelers from around the world.”
Other Hotel Developments in Puerto Rico
Other hotel brands are also expanding in Puerto Rico’s luxury market. Hyatt Centric San Juan Isla Verde opened in December 2025 after a $30 million renovation of the former Verdanza
Hotel. Hilton is developing new properties across San Juan, Ponce, and Dorado.
