ALIS CALA Deal of the Year Award Winners Announced
Miami, Florida, USA – – ALIS CALA announced its winners for the prestigious ALIS CALA Deal of the Year Awards. Among these winner and finalists were the hotels and companies who were responsible for the most influential hotel industry deals. The winners were announced on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, during the morning plenary session at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Florida.
The Strand, Turks & Caicos in Turks & Caicos Islands was named Development of the Year 2024. The Strand, Turks and Caicos, part of the Leading Hotels of the World, is a luxury boutique resort in Providenciales on Cooper Jack Bay’s pristine shores. With 2,230 feet of oceanfront, the property offers 60 Suites, 22 Villas, and 19 Private Residences, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors, terraces, and infinity pools. Guests enjoy bespoke services, water and racquet sports, and boat tours from the marina. The on-site DelMar restaurant blends Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean flavors, and a spa and “Maestro in Residence” program will debut in 2026. Developed by John Fair, Director of BBF Cooper Jack Ltd, The Strand opened on November 23, 2024. The development cost was approximately US$180 Million. Finalists in this category also included the Royalton CHIC Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort in St. Johns, Antigua & Barbuda and Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines in St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
The Jewel Palm Beach Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was named Transaction of the Year 2024. Playa Hotels & Resorts successfully sold the Jewel Palm Beach Resort to Anacaona de Inversiones, a Dominican Republic-based investment fund, marking a strategic portfolio optimization for Playa. The 500-room property, undergoing extensive renovations, will be rebranded under Hyatt's Vivid brand, the first of its kind in the country. Anacaona's collaboration with Hyatt ensures high standards during this transition. The acquisition, valued at US$68 Million, represents Anacaona's entry into the Dominican tourism sector, creating over 1,100 jobs and stimulating local economic growth. The project has full support from the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Tourism and necessary permits. Finalists in the category also included Hotelaria AccorInvest Brazil in Brazil and the Zemi Beach House Anguilla, LXR Resorts in Anguilla.
We would like to express our gratitude to those who served on the Deal of the Year Awards Committees. For the ALIS CALA Development of the Year Award, we thank Rogerio Basso (Chair), Patricia Boo, Gary Brough, Liam J. Day, Marie Dexter, John S. Fareed, JP Ford, John McCarthy and Darrin Phillips. For the ALIS CALA Transaction of the Year Award, we thank Paul Weimer (Chair), Letvia M. Arza-Goderich, Raul Calvet, Alexandra Lalos Church, David Larone, and Ricardo Mader.
ALIS CALA was be held at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida on April 29-May 1, 2025. For more information about the conference, please visit the ALIS CALA website.