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Sonesta Forms Alliance with AKEN Hotels & Resorts to Accelerate Expansion in Latin America
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has announced a strategic alliance with AKEN Hotels & Resorts, marking a pivotal move in Sonesta’s international expansion, particularly in the South American and Caribbean markets. The partnership will integrate AKEN’s luxury properties into the Sonesta system, expanding the reach of the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program and enhancing the brand’s footprint in high-growth destinations. The definitive agreement is expected to be finalized by mid-2025.
In a major step toward international growth, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has executed a strategic alliance with AKEN Hotels & Resorts LLC, a luxury hotel group known for its presence in South America and the Caribbean. This partnership is set to bring AKEN’s portfolio into the Sonesta brand ecosystem, opening up new destinations and travel experiences for Sonesta guests, especially through the integration with the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
The agreement signals Sonesta’s intent to scale rapidly across Mexico, Central America, and beyond, tapping into markets with rising demand for luxury, eco-conscious travel. Brian Quinn, Sonesta’s Chief Development Officer, emphasized that the alliance supports the company’s "Fast, Friendly, and Flexible" growth model and establishes a long-term collaboration with a brand that shares its service values and customer focus.
The partnership aligns Sonesta with a group already established for its conscious luxury and ecotourism credentials, an area where AKEN Hotels excels. Co-CEOs Luis Gallotti and Lisandro León Liguori have built AKEN around principles of mindful hospitality, integrating lifestyle and wellness into every guest experience. Their properties reflect a commitment to local culture, authentic experiences, and elevated design—ideals that complement Sonesta’s evolving brand vision.
With this strategic move, Sonesta not only gains access to a portfolio of high-end properties in emerging luxury travel regions, but also boosts its brand visibility and loyalty engagement. For Sonesta Travel Pass members, this alliance means new opportunities to earn and redeem points in destinations that were previously out of reach, broadening the program’s global appeal.
The collaboration will also strengthen Sonesta’s global sales distribution, supporting both companies’ long-term goals of sustainable, customer-focused growth. As the partnership matures, both Sonesta and AKEN aim to set new standards for service excellence in luxury travel while introducing innovative ways to combine wellness, sustainability, and authentic hospitality across international markets.
Source: Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
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