Applebee’s opening at the Hyatt Place Bayamón
From left: Jorge Colón-Gerena, Federico Stubbe and Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera.
Guests and visitors to the new Hyatt Place Bayamón & El Tropical Casino will be able to grab a bite at Applebee’s, slated to open when the hotel inaugurates in December, officials said Tuesday.
The opening of Hyatt Place marks the return to Puerto Rico in this prestigious hotel chain, while Applebee’s future Bayamón location will be the fourth in the market, and the first in that town.
Through the simultaneous openings, PRISA Group Inc. and Apple Caribe Inc. will create 719 new direct, indirect and induced jobs — 459 from Hyatt Place and Tropical Casino and 260 from Applebee’s — in its operational phase with a total investment of approximately $51.5 million, of which $49.5 million is related to Hyatt Place and $2 million to the 6,000 square-foot restaurant.
“Hyatt Place Bayamón & El Tropical Casino features the conditions we seek to advance our growth strategy and positioning as a casual restaurant for the whole family,” said Jorge Colón-Gerena, president of Apple Caribe Inc., Applebee’s franchisee. “Its central location allows us to cater to different clients, both local and foreign tourists. This, combined with the spirit we share with Hyatt to contribute to economic development, predicts success for the initiative.”
The Hyatt and future Applebee’s restaurant are under construction and slated to open in December.
Located next to the Parque de las Ciencias Luis A. Ferré, Hyatt Place Bayamón & El Tropical Casino will be a seven-story structure with 156 rooms, a casino, restaurant and bar, and multistory parking for 250 vehicles, guest kitchen open 24 hours a day, more than 2,000 square feet of conference space, gym, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi access, among other amenities.
“The essence of the Applebee’s brand fits well with the Hyatt Place concept, a casual hotel focused on urban tourism, with an ideal location that offers high commercial, residential and tourist traffic, and because of the easy access to medical facilities and shopping in the area. In addition, Applebee’s expands the entertainment that Hyatt Place will offer the community,” said Federico Stubbe, president of hotel developer PRISA Group.
Hyatt Place Bayamón has a strong impact on the area’s economy and tourism development of the island, he said. PRISA Group is also develping two more properties in Manatí and the Convention Center District in Miramar, which will create a combined 1,421 jobs this year and next.
