Four Seasons Resort Dominican Republic at Tropicalia to bring sustainable luxury and timeless, tropical
design to Samaná Bay
Four Seasons and Cisneros Real Estate (Cisneros) announce plans for the
development of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia, a sustainable
luxury destination located on a 60-acre (24-hectare) site along the pristine beachfront of Playa Esmeralda
in the northeastern Dominican Republic, along the southern shores of Samaná Bay. The project will combine
the globally renowned hospitality and service of Four Seasons and Cisneros’ decades of business and
investment in the Dominican Republic, Latin America and the United States. With construction underway,
the project is slated to open in early 2026.
Featuring a tropical modernist design by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, Four Seasons Resort and
Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia will set a new standard of natural, sustainable elegance for
sophisticated travellers from around the globe. The property will include a 95-key resort and 25 Private
Residences of three- and four-bedroom units, all located steps from the beach. A site of breathtaking natural
beauty, Tropicalia is the private estate of the Cisneros family featuring a diverse ecosystem of white-sand
beaches; crystalline, aquamarine water and coral reefs; mountains, forests, mangroves, lagoons and
rivers; a working coconut plantation; and an organic farm.
Adriana Cisneros, Chief Executive Officer of Cisneros, notes that the company’s nonprofit Fundación
Tropicalia has dedicated more than a decade to the region’s well-being through an array of educational,
socioeconomic and community programs. “Tropicalia reflects our family’s cultural values,” Cisneros says.
“More than 10 years ago, we embarked on a journey to support social sustainability through innovative
projects in agriculture, gender equality, education, environment, entrepreneurship and microfinance. Our
goal was to create a new kind of luxury destination that is in balance both with nature and with the local
community. We’re pleased that Four Seasons shares our vision, both for Tropicalia and the future of
tourism.”
Tropicalia is owned by Cisneros Real Estate, the development arm of Cisneros, a diversified business
group with nearly 100 years of history in media, real estate, consumer products and social leadership.
Cisneros is committed to long-term ownership of Tropicalia as a legacy project and is dedicated to the
the success of the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences as well as to the socioeconomic sustainability
of the community, region and country.
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“We are thrilled to expand Four Seasons global portfolio in the Dominican Republic, a market that we
have long been focused on as a luxury travel destination,” says Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We are proud to bring this project to life with our partners at Cisneros,
who share our values of supporting the environments and communities in which we operate, and who we
deeply admire for their work with Fundación Tropicalia. Together, we will remain focused on these values
as we welcome guests and residents alike in 2026 and become stewards of this beautiful destination.”
David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, says: “For Dominicans, it is a source of
great pride to welcome Four Seasons to Tropicalia, which is owned by the Cisneros family; a family that
has placed its trust in our country and values the love and effort that this government has put into
promoting tourism.” Minister Collado also added, “This project, which will have the highest standards of
luxury will further diversify the types of travellers coming to our country and reaffirms Tropicalia's
commitment to the sustainable development of the country's tourism, allowing us to continue being a
model destination for the world.”
“Four Seasons will bring a new level of luxury hospitality to the Dominican Republic, a premier Caribbean
destination located about four hours by plane from New York and two and a half hours from Miami,”
William Phelan, President of Tropicalia, says. “The Dominican Republic also has excellent airlift from
Europe, Latin America and other key markets. Our resort will lead the region’s development of
sustainable tourism by integrating innovative design, environmental management and community
development into our business DNA.”
About Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia
In addition to the 95 rooms and suites, the Resort will include a spa, fitness and wellness facilities
including a yoga pavilion; a variety of beach activities and watersports; racquet sports such as tennis,
paddle and pickleball; a Kids For All Seasons children’s club; and event spaces. The onsite culinary
offerings will include numerous restaurants and bars including a specialty restaurant, beachside grill,
poolside bar, ceviche bar, juice bar, marketplace and sundry shop, coffee shop and rum bar.
Nearby aquatic activities include scuba diving, catamaran tours, sailing, observing and helping to protect
sea turtles in their natural habitat, and seasonal whale-watching excursions around Samaná Bay, a
storied marine sanctuary where humpback whales and leatherback turtles return to birth new generations.
Land excursions include Los Haitises National Park, an explorer’s paradise with limestone hill formations
(mogotes), mangrove forests, ancient caverns with Taíno pictographs and petroglyphs, and abundant
wildlife. For golf lovers, Tropicalia’s Tom Doak golf course is expected to open after the completion of the
new Four Seasons Resort.
Sustainable Design, Construction and Development
The design of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia is slated to qualify
for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, one of the world’s most
respected standards for “green” buildings, and the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic.
Environmental and social management systems are guiding the Resort’s design, construction and
operation, from biodiversity to waste and water management, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
Isay Weinfeld’s design for Tropicalia is innately low-impact and draws inspiration from the island’s native
materials and colonial-era towns. Coralina limestone, brick and stucco echo the country’s history,
harmonising with the surroundings and conveying a sense of authenticity. His timeless, sophisticated
modern design reflects a tropical touch. The nonlinear format encourages guests to continuously discover
the Resort, as the buildings integrate with the lush landscape to give the sense of being immersed in
nature.
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The project’s modernist design will transition easily from indoors to outdoors, inspiring guests to engage
with the natural environment. The low-density Resort will feature open spaces, passive cooling, and lush
landscaping using curated, non-invasive native species. Guest and residential buildings will be located
along the beachfront of Playa Esmeralda with views of Samaná Bay. Guest rooms will be spacious and
designed with Four Seasons guests in mind, including private terraces and state-of-the-art technology,
with green space and interior gardens prioritised throughout the rooms and common spaces.
In addition to Isay Weinfeld’s architecture and interior design, luxury development firm Sinergo has been
named project manager, international design firm Gensler as executive architect and Bouygues
Construction of France as general contractor. The project’s master planner and landscape architect is
EDSA, has been working closely with former Dominican botanical garden curator Ricardo Garcia,
ensuring holistic development and landscaping with primary native species. These development and
design experts are known for their expertise in bringing environmentally sound and sustainable luxury
resort projects to life in remote locations. IMI Worldwide Properties, an innovative real estate firm with
more than 30 years of experience, is overseeing luxury residential sales.
Social Responsibility
With a focus on socioeconomic inclusion and sustainable development practices, Tropicalia will seek to
share and inspire local cultural experiences by inviting guests and residents to participate in activities that
help sustain the surrounding community and environment. They include PROTORTUGA, a sustainability
initiative to care for leatherback turtles in the coastal area of Miches where guests will be able to observe
and participate in habitat preservation. Tropicalia also offers a range of volunteer opportunities, such as
visits to after-school programs connected to the foundation’s Soy niña, soy important program, which is
focused on gender equality and inclusion. Each of these initiatives gives visitors the opportunity to
immerse themselves in the local culture and to take part in positive change.
Tropicalia’s guests and residents will also enjoy a symbiotic relationship with land and sea, working
closely with the Cisneros family’s sustainable organic farm, Estancia La Querencia. The farm is certified
in organic cacao production, providing local farmers with year-round food and training in organic
agricultural practices as well as supplying produce to local markets and food suppliers. Estancia La
Querencia offers residents unique farm-to-table experiences and an in-depth look at local ingredients and
gastronomy.
Adriana Cisneros drew on the legacy of her father, Gustavo, and her mother Patricia Phelps de Cisneros,
to build Tropicalia on a foundation of social responsibility and leadership. In 2008, more than a decade
before the first shovels would break ground at the luxury resort, Cisneros Real Estate created the
nonprofit Fundación Tropicalia to build a sustainable tourism destination in partnership with the local
community of Miches.
In 2010, Tropicalia committed to the United Nations Global Compact and aligned its business
strategy with fundamental concepts of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
Accordingly, Fundación Tropicalia has invested millions of dollars and sponsored a broad range of
programs promoting education and addressing hunger, climate change, diversity and gender equity.
Tropicalia has been recognised globally for its innovative economic development programs, including as
a finalist by the United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) for Innovation by Non-Governmental
Organisations. For more information on Fundación Tropicalia, please visit www.fundaciontropicalia.com.
