Leadership announcement for Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico

Bringing over 50 years of combined experience with expertise rooted within Caribbean hospitality, the seasoned hoteliers with deep Puerto Rican ties have been tasked with ushering the 579-key resort into its next chapter.

Having spent over two decades leading branded and independent properties across the Caribbean and United States, Morty Valldejuli’s arrival at Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve is a homecoming, as he spent many of his formative years in Puerto Rico throughout different stages of his early life. He attended college on the island at the University of Sacred Heart in San Juan before kickstarting what has become a decorated international hospitality career, which has taken him from New Orleans to the Cayman Islands and beyond. Most recently, he served as the inaugural managing director of the Hotel Bourré Bonne, which he successfully opened and established as Louisville’s most luxurious lifestyle hotel. Prior to that, he built a storied career path with Pyramid Global Hospitality, working with the leading management company for over 15 years, serving as the steward of some of the company’s top-performing hotels, which became recognised under his purview for their strong operational and guest satisfaction results.

“Sitting on an exclusive 1000-acre private peninsula at the foothills of El Yunque Rainforest, home to the island’s biggest lagoon-style pool and most famous golf course, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve offers a premier home base to experience some of the most authentic and beloved corners of Puerto Rico,” said Morty Valldejuli, Managing Director. “We are eager to usher in the next era of prosperity at the resort, and look forward to continuing to showcase the very best of the island, welcoming guests in true Boricua spirit.”

Image credit: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico

Joining him is Gabriel A. Emanuelli as the resort’s director of sales & marketing. A true local and established leader within the Puerto Rican industry, Emanuelli developed his sales, marketing, and hospitality expertise over the course of 25 years spent working on the island, helping shape Puerto Rico’s growth as both a leisure and meetings destination. A Certified Meeting Planner (CMP), Certified Destination Specialist (CDS) and a former tourism industry board leader, Gabriel worked with the Westin Río Mar Beach Resort, Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort, and Hotel Rumbao San Juan throughout his career – establishing a proven track record of exceeding revenue goals, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, which he looks forward to bringing to Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve.

The newly appointed executives arrive ready to build upon the resort’s established track record as a leader across both group business and leisure travel segments. The decorated property received AAA’s coveted Four Diamond designation for the first time in 2023, followed by accolades in the events space by both Northstar Meetings Group Stella Awards and Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards. Most recently, the resort was named one of the top ten best resorts in the Caribbean by USA Today’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards in 2026.

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve was acquired earlier this month by Henderson Park, the international private equity real estate firm, in a joint venture with leading hospitality management company, Pyramid Global Hospitality, as the operating partner. The acquisition marks both companies’ first investment in Puerto Rico.

Main image credit: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico