Marriott and Polaris Launch Four City Express Hotels to Meet El Salvador’s Growing Demand for Midscale Lodging

(IN SHORT) Marriott International has partnered with Corporación Polaris and Cardedeu to open four City Express by Marriott hotels in El Salvador, delivering 440 new rooms to the country’s midscale market. The properties—City Centro in downtown San Salvador, an airport-adjacent hotel, a highway-front location in Santa Elena, and a City Express Plus in San Benito—will debut between late 2025 and 2027. These additions reflect Marriott’s commitment to expanding accessible, high-quality accommodations in growth markets, following El Salvador’s doubling of hotel capacity and recent JW Marriott announcement. With 153 existing City Express hotels and 62 more in the pipeline, Marriott continues to scale its affordable midscale portfolio across Latin America and the Caribbean.

(PRESS RELEASE) PLANTATION, FL, 2025-Jun-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International has signed a multi-unit agreement with Corporación Polaris and Cardedeu to introduce four new City Express by Marriott hotels in El Salvador—marking the brand’s first entry into this dynamic market. Altogether, these properties will add 440 rooms, bolstering Marriott’s presence in the affordable midscale segment throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Alonso Burgos, Vice President of Development for Marriott International in the CALA region, commented, “El Salvador’s vibrant culture and growing tourism landscape make it an ideal home for City Express by Marriott. This partnership underscores our goal of delivering dependable, high-quality accommodations that resonate with both business and leisure travelers.”

The upcoming openings include:

• City Centro by Marriott San Salvador (conversion, end of 2025): A 31-room urban retreat in the historic downtown district, steps from landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and Liberty Plaza, and only a half-hour from Ilopango International Airport.
• City Express by Marriott Aeropuerto (late 2026): Strategically sited to serve air travelers between San Salvador’s metro area and El Salvador International Airport.
• City Express by Marriott Santa Elena (late 2026): Positioned on the Pan-American Highway within a bustling mixed-use zone near the World Trade Center, La Gran Vía mall, medical facilities, and schools.
• City Express Plus by Marriott San Benito (late 2027): Located in the lively San Benito neighborhood, famed for its dining, nightlife, and cultural venues like the Museum of Art of El Salvador (MARTE).

Alberto Guerrero, President of Corporación Polaris, added, “We’re proud to support El Salvador’s hospitality expansion and cater to the rising demand for modern, reliable lodging options.”

These four launches build on El Salvador’s recent surge in hotel development—including the newly announced JW Marriott Hotel San Salvador—and reinforce Marriott’s ongoing regional growth strategy. Currently, City Express by Marriott operates 153 hotels with over 17,700 rooms and has 62 projects under development across Latin America and beyond.

Media Contact:

Diego Thomas
Senior Manager, Communications & PRMarriott International
Diego.Thomas@Marriott.com

SOURCR: Marriott International