Hard Rock International is doubling down on the Caribbean with plans for a major new $850 million integrated hotel, casino, and residential resort—one of the largest single hospitality investments announced in the region in recent years.
The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will rise on a waterfront site in San Juan, adding a high-profile anchor project to the northern Caribbean. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026, with an opening targeted for 2029. The development is being delivered in partnership with Misla Hospitality, Stonecrest Investment Management, and The Interfin Companies.
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A Major Addition to the Caribbean Resort Landscape
While Hard Rock already operates resorts in the Mexican Caribbean and the Dominican Republic, this project represents a significant expansion of the brand’s Caribbean footprint. It will be Hard Rock’s first full-scale integrated casino resort in the northern Caribbean and one of only a handful of true destination gaming resorts in the region.
Despite legalized gambling across parts of the Caribbean, large, globally branded casino resorts remain relatively limited. This development signals growing confidence in the region’s ability to support high-capital, entertainment-led tourism projects.
Rooms, Suites, and Branded Residences
The resort is planned to include approximately 415 guest rooms, 58 suites, and 186 branded residences. The inclusion of branded residences reflects one of the Caribbean’s strongest development trends, as lifestyle buyers and second-home owners increasingly gravitate toward hotel-linked ownership in established destinations.
For the region, this model adds long-term real estate value alongside short-term tourism demand, helping destinations diversify beyond traditional hotel-only projects.
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Integrated Entertainment, Caribbean Style
Hard Rock is positioning the resort as a fully integrated entertainment destination rather than a standalone casino. Plans include event venues, a recording studio, and curated music memorabilia designed to connect the brand’s global identity with Caribbean cultural influence.
The broader resort offering will feature multiple restaurants and bars, a Rock Spa®, fitness facilities, and three resort-style pools. Family-friendly amenities—including kids’ and teen-focused spaces—align with the Caribbean’s growing emphasis on multi-generational travel.
Economic Impact for the Region
The project is expected to generate more than 2,500 construction jobs and over 1,200 permanent roles once operational. Beyond direct employment, developments of this scale typically drive demand across regional supply chains, from construction and design to entertainment, food, and cultural programming.
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What It Signals for the Caribbean
This announcement underscores how the Caribbean’s next phase of resort development is evolving. Branded residences, large-scale entertainment infrastructure, and integrated casino concepts are becoming central to investment strategies across the region.
For the Caribbean tourism sector, the Hard Rock project reinforces the region’s appeal to global lifestyle brands seeking flagship developments—positioning the Caribbean not just as a leisure destination, but as a platform for large, mixed-use luxury projects with international reach.
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