Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico has appointed Morty Valldejuli as Managing Director and Gabriel Armando Emanuelli as Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening the leadership team at the 579-room resort on Puerto Rico’s east coast. The appointments take effect as the property enters a new phase of growth following a recent ownership change.
The two executives bring more than 50 years of combined hospitality experience, much of it rooted in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. They have been tasked with guiding the resort’s next chapter while building on its position as one of the island’s leading destinations for both leisure travellers and meetings groups.
For Valldejuli, the appointment represents a return to Puerto Rico, where he spent part of his early life and attended the University of Sacred Heart in San Juan. His hospitality career has spanned more than two decades across branded and independent hotels in the Caribbean and the United States.
Most recently, he served as the inaugural managing director of Hotel Bourré Bonne in Louisville, helping launch and establish the property in the luxury lifestyle hotel segment. Before that, he spent more than 15 years with Pyramid Global Hospitality, overseeing several of the management company’s top-performing hotels and helping deliver 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,” he added.
Strong Puerto Rican Hospitality Experience
Joining the executive team alongside Valldejuli is Gabriel Armando Emanuelli, a hospitality professional with more than 25 years of experience in Puerto Rico’s tourism industry. His background spans sales, marketing and destination development, with a focus on both leisure travel and the meetings and events sector.
A Certified Meeting Planner and Certified Destination Specialist, Emanuelli has held leadership roles at several well-known Puerto Rican resorts, including Westin Río Mar Beach Resort, Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort and Hotel Rumbao San Juan.
Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for exceeding revenue targets, improving operational performance and enhancing guest experiences. His appointment is expected to support the resort’s continued growth across both domestic and international markets.
Building on Recent Success
The appointments come during a period of momentum for Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. The resort earned its first AAA Four Diamond designation in 2023 and has since received recognition from the Northstar Meetings Group Stella Awards and the Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards.
In 2026, the property was also named among the top 10 resorts in the Caribbean in the USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, reinforcing its reputation within the region’s competitive hospitality market.
The resort occupies a 1,000-acre private peninsula near El Yunque National Forest and is known for its lagoon-style swimming pool, golf facilities and extensive meeting and event spaces. Its location on Puerto Rico’s east coast makes it a popular base for visitors exploring the island’s beaches, rainforest attractions and nearby offshore islands.
The leadership changes also follow a significant ownership development. Earlier this month, the property was acquired by international private equity real estate firm Henderson Park in partnership with Pyramid Global Hospitality, which continues as the operating partner.
The acquisition marked the first investment in Puerto Rico for both companies and signalled confidence in the island’s growing tourism sector. With a new ownership structure and experienced leadership team now in place, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico aims to strengthen its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading resort destinations while continuing to showcase Puerto Rican culture, hospitality and natural beauty.
