RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO (June, 2026) — Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is proud to welcome Morty Valldejuli as the property’s new Managing Director, along with Gabriel Armando Emanuelli as its new Director of Sales & Marketing. 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 recognized 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."
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.
With Morty and Gabriel now at the helm of the resort’s executive team, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico remains more committed than ever to delivering exceptional hospitality that connects travelers to the culture, natural beauty, and adventure that make Puerto Rico's east coast so distinctive.
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.
About Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico
Approximately 19 miles from the San Juan city center in Rio Grande, the oceanfront Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is located on a protected natural peninsula at the foothills of the El Yunque rainforest with a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere and country-club-inspired feel. Features include a secluded beach that’s ideal for swimming and enjoying a variety of non-motorized water sports, several oceanfront swimming pools that include Puerto Rico’s largest lagoon-style pool, a full-service spa, a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Tom Kite, 17 food and beverage outlets ranging from a prime steakhouse to Hibachi to classic Puerto Rican cuisine, an indoor Top Golf suite that features a variety of virtual sports, and colorful tropical gardens teeming with local flora and fauna. The resort features 579 guest rooms, suites and villas, including the spectacular ocean-facing Regency Suites, which feature private pools and gazebos for lounging. Tucked away in their own area of the resort, 93 Villas en la Reserva offer king and queen bedrooms with separate living areas, dining tables, kitchenettes, and bathrooms with rainfall showers and large soaking tubs for the best in comfort on the island. The property encourages guests to explore the surrounding nature by day and unwind and indulge by night, making it the ultimate destination to rest and reset in style.
