Bimini, Bahamas, October 14, 2025
News Summary
Orlando-based Westgate Resorts is joining a multimillion-dollar investor group backing the planned Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences on Rockwell Island in Bimini, Bahamas. The development will include ocean-view residences with private docks for large vessels, an 18-hole golf course, a boutique hotel, dedicated lots for larger homes and a protected nature preserve. This marks Westgate’s first investment in the Bahamas and represents a strategic step into Caribbean and Latin American markets. The announcement comes amid broader industry activity including hotel conversions, expanded hospitality financings, equipment finance growth and multiple global brand openings.
Westgate Resorts Leads Multimillion-Dollar Investment in Banyan Tree Bimini on Rockwell Island; Industry Roundup
Orlando-based Westgate Resorts is taking a significant step into the Caribbean with a multimillion-dollar investment in the planned Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences on Rockwell Island in Bimini, Bahamas. The investment, announced on Oct. 13, 2025, brings Westgate together with Gissy Family Investments and additional partners to join a local developer formed by Gerardo Capo. The project builds on prior work at Rockwell Island, where the developer previously completed an $850 million Bimini Bay development.
Top-line details
The development on Rockwell Island will include ocean-view residences that feature room for large private docks on the bay, an 18-hole golf course, a boutique hotel, a protected nature preserve, and areas set aside for larger homes. The new partnership marks the first time Westgate has invested in the Bahamas and is positioned as a stepping stone toward future activity in the Caribbean and broader Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) markets.
Why this matters
Westgate has been diversifying beyond its traditional timeshare and resort club operations, expanding into direct hotel development, strategic investments and wider real estate interests. The company operates more than 60 resort properties and says it has an international footprint that has grown in recent years through new brands and partnerships. This transaction further indicates a strategic push into markets outside the company’s longtime U.S. base.
Project features and local amenities
- Residences with ocean-front views and private docks able to accommodate 80- to 120-foot vessels.
- An 18-hole golf course planned on Rockwell Island.
- Dedicated space for larger single-family homes.
- A boutique hotel as part of the island’s hospitality mix.
- A nature preserve to protect island ecology amid new development.
Industry roundup — other notable hotel deals, financings, conversions and openings
Atlanta Marriott conversion
Two New York City–based investment firms acquired a 462-key Crowne Plaza at the Atlanta convention center and plan a renovation and rebrand to a Marriott-branded property. A hospitality operator based in Louisville has been selected to manage the hotel. The property is expected to reopen in late 2027 following renovations.
Financial deals and lending activity
An Atlanta-based hospitality finance firm reported it has closed and committed roughly $1.6 billion in hotel-specific financings year-to-date across 51 assets. Those financings span bridge loans, mezzanine debt, construction loans, preferred equity and hotel-tailored CMBS investments. The lender also said its pipeline has strengthened since the fall and that construction loan offerings have expanded to include higher-leverage solutions.
Equipment finance expansion
A regional private credit firm launched a new equipment finance division to broaden its offering for commercial real estate and hospitality clients. The unit will focus on lease financings from $500,000 to $10 million with terms generally ranging from 24 to 84 months, led by two industry veterans with extensive experience in equipment and specialty finance.
Labor and staffing
Hotel workers at a major downtown Houston property ended a 40-day labor strike after ratifying a new contract that includes wage increases. The ratification vote occurred on Oct. 10, and the agreement raises minimum pay for certain roles to a stated hourly floor.
New brands and openings
- An Italian heritage property launched a new collection brand to consolidate several Lake Como-area assets, with one city-center five-star opening set for early December and a renovated apartment-style property planned for mid-2026.
- A lifestyle hotel operator is preparing to open its first all-inclusive resort outside Europe later this year on a UAE island, adding to a global pipeline of more than 60 resorts in development.
- A London-based operator added a 144-key limited-service hotel in the U.K. as part of a mixed-use town-center transformation.
- An international hospitality company opened the first property from a particular midscale brand in Australia and the Pacific, marking the brand’s debut in that region with a 174-key urban hotel.
- A global hotel group opened its first Novotel in Malta, a 293-key property in Gżira under a local franchise operator.
What this signals for the sector
Industry activity highlights persistent investor interest in coastal and resort redevelopment, a widening set of financing solutions for hotel owners, and ongoing brand expansion across global markets. The mix of conversions, new-build resorts and expanded financing options suggests developers and operators are adapting strategies to capture leisure and meeting demand while managing capital and labor costs.
Next steps and timelines
Project timelines vary: the Rockwell Island development remains in planning and investment stages; the Atlanta convention-center hotel expects to reopen in late 2027 after renovations; other brand openings and conversions are scheduled through 2026 and later in 2025 depending on the project.
FAQ
What is the Westgate investment on Rockwell Island?
Westgate is part of a multimillion-dollar investor group joining a planned Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences development on Rockwell Island in Bimini, Bahamas. The project includes residences, private docks, a golf course, a boutique hotel and a nature preserve.
Who are the other partners in the deal?
Partners include a family investment group from Orlando and a local developer entity that previously built a large Bimini Bay project. Additional partner investors are also involved.
Is this Westgate’s first project in the Bahamas?
Yes. This marks Westgate’s first venture in the Bahamas and is positioned as an entry point for broader activity in the Caribbean and Latin America regions.
What other major hotel moves were announced recently?
Recent activity reported includes a hotel conversion and renovation in Atlanta, expanded hospitality financings totaling about $1.6 billion year-to-date by an Atlanta lender, a new equipment finance division at a private credit firm, a labor contract ratification in Houston, and multiple brand openings and signings across Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific.
When will the renovated Atlanta hotel reopen?
The property is slated to reopen as a Marriott-branded hotel in late 2027 following renovations and rebranding work.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lead investor | Westgate Resorts joining a multimillion-dollar investor group |
| Project | Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences on Rockwell Island |
| Key amenities | Ocean-view residences with large private docks, 18-hole golf course, boutique hotel, nature preserve |
| Strategic importance | Westgate’s first Bahamas investment; potential gateway to broader Caribbean and Latin America activity |
| Notable regional activity | Hotel conversion in Atlanta, expanded hospitality financings, new equipment finance platform, multiple global openings |
| Announcement date | Oct. 13, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Business Insider Markets: Westgate Resorts and partners investment in the Caribbean
- Wikipedia: Westgate Resorts
- Hotel Investment Today: Westgate CALA deal, Atlanta conversion, financing & equipment
- Google Search: Westgate Banyan Tree Bimini Rockwell Island
- Westgate Resorts — Official site / News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bimini
- Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts — Official site
- Wikipedia: Banyan Tree Holdings
- The Tribune 242: Bimini coverage & local news
- Google News: Bimini Bay Rockwell Island
Author: Construction FL News
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