Puerto Rico Is Getting Hilton’s First-Ever Spark Hotel in the Caribbean

Hilton is bringing its newest hotel brand to the Caribbean — and its first stop is the southern Puerto Rican city of Ponce. The company has announced plans to open Spark by Hilton Ponce, marking the debut of its fast-growing premium economy brand in the region. The hotel is slated to open by the end of 2025 near the city’s airport and just off Highway 52, which connects Ponce to San Juan.

It will be the first Spark by Hilton in the Caribbean and Latin America.

What Travelers Can Expect

Spark by Hilton Ponce will have 120 guest rooms, a breakfast area, meeting space, and a small outdoor pool. Rooms will include standard essentials like a mini-fridge and high-speed Wi-Fi. Breakfast will be complimentary, and the lobby area will be designed for working, dining or socializing — part of Spark’s focus on “essentials done right.”

The hotel is owned by Ponce Resorts Inc. and will be managed by HI Development P.R. Corp, Caribbean Journal has learned.

While not a resort, the property is positioned to serve business travelers, road trippers, and budget-conscious guests looking for a short stay with reliable service and Hilton-brand consistency.

Why It Matter

Hilton says Spark is its fastest-growing brand, with over 160 hotels opened globally in less than a year. The Ponce location will be the first in Latin America or the Caribbean and is part of a broader push to expand Hilton’s footprint in Puerto Rico — where it currently operates more than 10 properties.

The company says it plans to double its presence on the island over the next four years.

Hilton’s regional team framed Spark as a strategic option for conversions — meaning existing hotels can be transformed quickly and efficiently to match Spark’s standards.

The Bigger Picture

The hotel will add capacity in Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second-largest city, which has historically been underserved by major hotel brands. The location near Mercedita International Airport and the main expressway makes it a convenient stop for travelers heading to the south coast or exploring beyond San Juan.

For Hilton, the Ponce opening is a milestone in its larger Caribbean and Latin America strategy. The company now has around 290 hotels in the region and says another 145 are in various stages of development, and now one in Puerto Rico’s second city.