About RCD Hotels
RCD Hotels is a Mexican company operating luxury hotels in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. They recently launched two new brands: UNICO Hotel Collection and AVA, both operating under an all-inclusive concept.
UNICO Hotel Collection Expansion
Bernardo Santillana, RCD Hotels’ Corporate Commercial Director for the Mexican market, revealed that approximately 95% of their hotel offerings are located in beach destinations. However, they are venturing into new segments such as business travel with Residence Inn in Mérida and Nobu Chicago.
Existing Portfolio
RCD Hotels currently manages nearly 10,000 rooms across more than 12 hotels under international brands like Hard Rock, Nobu, and Residence Inn by Marriott. Their two proprietary brands, UNICO and AVA, have already shown success since their launches in 2017 (UNICO 20° 87° in the Riviera Maya) and 2023 (AVA Resort Cancún).
New Hotel Openings
The recently opened UNICO 20° 105°, named after its geographical coordinates, served as the host for the World Meeting Forum 2025. This business platform brings together meeting industry buyers and sellers for customized, in-person or virtual events. The hotel’s pre-opening in July saw a 40% occupancy rate, allowing for guest and staff training.
Occupancy and Market Performance
At the group level, average hotel occupancy closed above 80% in 2024. For the current year, the goal is to further increase occupancy rates.
- Domestic vs. International Market: Domestic tourism accounts for roughly 25% of RCD Hotels’ occupancies, while international travel dominates with 75%. The United States is the primary source market.
- Future Reservations: Despite potential for domestic market growth, international travelers’ long-term booking patterns leave little room for additional reservations.
No Deterrents to Expansion
Santillana mentioned that there have been no obstacles or drops in occupancy due to market uncertainties.
