Cayo Levantado Resort Appoints Maria Lamarche as General Manager

Samaná, Dominican Republic: Cayo Levantado Resort, the Dominican Republic’s renowned private island luxury retreat, has announced the appointment of Maria Lamarche as its new General Manager.

Bringing nearly four decades of international hospitality experience to the role, Lamarche joins the award-winning resort with an impressive background in luxury hotel management, resort operations, pre-openings, and hospitality transformation across the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Her appointment comes as Cayo Levantado Resort continues to strengthen its position as one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive luxury and wellness destinations.

Nearly 40 Years of Global Hospitality Experience

Maria Lamarche brings extensive experience from a career spanning almost 40 years in the international hospitality industry. Her leadership journey has included senior roles with some of the world’s most recognized hotel and resort brands.

Most recently, Lamarche led the pre-opening of Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, helping bring one of the Dominican Republic’s newest luxury hospitality projects to life.

Before joining Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, she served as General Manager of Hilton Hurghada Plaza in Egypt. During her tenure, she played a key role in transforming the 531-room Red Sea resort into Hilton’s highest-performing hotel in Egypt across several important areas, including guest satisfaction, quality assurance, brand standards, and overall business performance.

Her international career has also included leadership positions with major hospitality groups such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Rotana Hotels, Le Méridien, Sheraton, and Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

Leading Cayo Levantado Resort Into Its Next Chapter

In her new role as General Manager, Lamarche will oversee the day-to-day operations of Cayo Levantado Resort while focusing on maintaining the property’s high standards of luxury, personalized service, and guest experience.

Located on its own private island in Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado Resort has built a reputation around exclusive island stays, wellness experiences, and immersive Caribbean hospitality.

Lamarche’s leadership approach is expected to further support this positioning. Known for her collaborative management style, she has a strong focus on developing teams, improving operational performance, and creating meaningful experiences for guests.

Her experience across different international markets also gives her a broad understanding of what today’s luxury travelers expect from high-end resorts.

A Strong Focus on Luxury and Wellness Tourism

Luxury travel is increasingly moving beyond traditional five-star accommodation, with travelers looking for experiences that combine comfort, wellness, privacy, and a deeper connection with the destination.

This shift makes Lamarche’s background particularly relevant to her new position at Cayo Levantado Resort.

Throughout her career, she has worked with luxury and wellness-oriented properties, as well as hotels undergoing openings, repositioning, and operational transformation. Her experience is closely aligned with Cayo Levantado Resort’s approach to combining high-end hospitality, wellness, exclusivity, and authentic Caribbean experiences.

As interest in premium island getaways continues to grow, her leadership could play an important role in strengthening the resort’s appeal among international luxury travelers.

Experience Across Leading Global Hotel Brands

One of the standout features of Lamarche’s career is the breadth of her international hospitality experience.

From the Caribbean and Europe to the Middle East and Asia, she has worked across different hospitality markets and operational environments. Her career with internationally recognized brands has provided her with experience in managing large-scale properties, launching new hotels, improving performance, and building strong hospitality teams.

That combination of operational expertise and international exposure positions her well to lead a distinctive private island resort such as Cayo Levantado.

What Maria Lamarche’s Appointment Means for Cayo Levantado Resort

The appointment highlights Cayo Levantado Resort’s continued focus on delivering exceptional service and maintaining its position within the Caribbean luxury hospitality market.

With Lamarche at the helm, the resort aims to build on its existing reputation while continuing to enhance its guest experience and operational standards.

Her proven experience in hotel openings, resort management, team development, and business performance could also help the property respond to the changing expectations of modern luxury travelers.

A New Era for Luxury Hospitality in Samaná

Maria Lamarche’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for Cayo Levantado Resort. With almost four decades of international hospitality leadership behind her, she brings a combination of operational knowledge, luxury resort experience, and a strong commitment to team development.

As the Dominican Republic continues to attract travelers seeking exclusive Caribbean escapes, Cayo Levantado Resort is well positioned to benefit from the growing demand for luxury island and wellness tourism.

Under Lamarche’s leadership, the resort will look to further elevate its personalized service and distinctive island experience while continuing to establish itself as one of the Caribbean’s leading luxury retreats.