Hospitality platform Tortuga Resorts has appointed Leo Schlesinger as CEO, according to a Tuesday release.
Schlesinger joins Tortuga as the company enters its “next phase of strategic growth” following its $2 billion acquisition of the Playa Hotels & Resorts real estate portfolio from Hyatt earlier this year, per the release. The transaction added 15 all-inclusive resort properties across Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to Tortuga’s portfolio.
Tortuga Resorts, a joint venture between an affiliate of Denver-based KSL Capital Partners and Mexico City-based investment firm Rodina, is focused on luxury beachfront real estate across Mexico and the Caribbean.
Beyond the Playa deal, Tortuga is actively investing in its operational capabilities, talent and leadership, according to the release. Last year, the company appointed Hans Schroeder as chief financial officer.
Schlesinger has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience, most recently serving as Group CEO of Norte 19, one of Latin America's largest publicly traded hotel owners and operators, per the release. In that position, Schlesinger oversaw a portfolio of 154 hotels and worked closely with hotel brands including City Express.
In 2023, Marriott acquired the City Express brand portfolio from Hoteles City Express and subsequently expanded it to the U.S.
