Puerto Rico is set to breathe new life into one of its most celebrated hospitality landmarks with a $35 million restoration of the historic Hotel Ponce Intercontinental. When complete, the property will reopen under Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio brand as The Continental Hotel, blending preserved tropical modernist architecture with fresh, contemporary amenities.
The revitalized hotel will feature 148 rooms in the main building, alongside a new wing housing 32 “swim-out suites” and 20 luxury villas. Guests can also look forward to a convention center, a scenic terrace, an elegant lobby, and parking for 250 vehicles. Upon completion, The Continental will become the second-largest hotel in Puerto Rico’s southern region.
View Hotels for Sale in Barbados
The project’s financing comes from a mix of public and private investment, including a $12 million CDBG-DR loan through the Housing Department’s Economic Development Investment Portfolio Program, $17.5 million in private-sector contributions, and $5.5 million from the property’s owners. Additionally, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company has allocated $16 million in tax credits and tourism incentives.
Officials anticipate the restoration will create 120 direct jobs, stimulate local business activity, and boost tourism on the island’s southern coast.
Perched on Cerro El Vigía with sweeping views of Ponce, the hotel first opened in 1960, designed by renowned architect William B. Tabler. It quickly became a symbol of mid-century Caribbean glamour before closing in 1975.
View Hotels for Sale in Barbados
This redevelopment will also expand Marriott’s footprint in Puerto Rico’s southern region, complementing its existing AC Hotel Ponce, which opened in 2021. Marriott already maintains one of the largest hotel portfolios in Puerto Rico, spanning luxury resorts, urban business hotels, and beachfront escapes.
The grand reopening of The Continental is scheduled for May 2027, promising a new chapter for this timeless Caribbean icon.
View all of our Properties for Sale in Barbados
