Mara Lezama Inaugurates St. Regis Costa Mujeres With $250 Million Investment

Governor Mara Lezama and officials cut the ribbon at the St. Regis Costa Mujeres hotel inauguration

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa officially opened the St. Regis Costa Mujeres hotel on Thursday, joined by Mexico’s Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, executives from Marriott International and AB Living, state officials, and tourism industry leaders.

The $250 million investment reflects strong investor confidence in the Mexican Caribbean, Lezama said, adding that the project will generate new jobs and shared prosperity for local families.

Alfredo Bataller Pineda, CEO of AB Living Group, and Federico Greppi, Marriott International’s regional president for the Caribbean and Latin America, said the hotel employed about 2,000 people during construction and is starting operations with 250 staff. They expect direct employment to reach 350 within the first year.

The opening marks one of Marriott International’s most significant milestones for 2026, as it is the second St. Regis hotel to debut worldwide this year and the only one in the Americas.

Marriott and AB Living said they are promoting responsible growth through sustainable practices, environmental care, local supplier integration, and the use of Mexican-sourced materials.

Costa Mujeres continues to solidify its position as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. By the end of 2025, the area reported 10,524 rooms across 22 hotels, an average occupancy rate of 78.5%, 1.2 million tourist arrivals, and tourism revenue exceeding $1.025 billion.

Quintana Roo as a whole closed 2025 with 139,949 rooms in 1,481 hotels, an average occupancy of 71.3%, 20.2 million tourists, and tourism revenue of more than $18 billion, reinforcing the Mexican Caribbean’s status as a world-class destination.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx