Marriott International and PASHA Real Estate Group have signed an agreement covering three hospitality and branded residential projects across Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The plans include a Ritz-Carlton beachfront hotel and residences at Zagulba Beach near Baku, an additional tower at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Baku, and a Le Méridien hotel in central Tbilisi.
Together, the developments will expand premium accommodation, luxury living and visitor infrastructure across the Caucasus. They also strengthen Marriott’s presence in a region attracting greater interest from international travellers, investors and global hotel brands.
Senior executives signed the agreement at The Ritz-Carlton, Baku. PASHA Real Estate Group Chief Executive Officer Ozgur Geter and Marriott International President for Europe, Middle East and Africa Neal Jones attended the ceremony.
Ritz-Carlton resort heads to Zagulba Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Baku, Zagulba is planned as an exclusive beachfront resort along the Caspian Sea.
Located north of central Baku, Zagulba Beach offers a coastal setting that could broaden the Azerbaijani capital’s appeal beyond business travel, city breaks and cultural tourism.
The resort is expected to feature 80 luxury guestrooms and suites. Its proposed facilities include premium dining venues, an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, luxury spa and beach club.
Guests will also have access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, providing an elevated level of personalised service within the property.
The development aims to combine a relaxed seaside environment with the service and design standards associated with The Ritz-Carlton brand. It could also help position the Caspian coastline as a stronger luxury leisure destination for domestic and international visitors.
Branded residences expand coastal project
The Zagulba development will include The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Baku, Zagulba, comprising 282 apartments and villas.
Residents are expected to receive access to a private clubhouse, fitness centre, swimming pool, children’s club and cinema. Direct private access to the beach will further distinguish the development within Azerbaijan’s luxury residential market.
The combined resort and residential concept reflects rising international demand for branded living. These developments connect private ownership with hotel-style amenities, managed services and globally recognised hospitality standards.
They can also support tourism growth by creating restaurants, wellness facilities and social spaces that attract visitors beyond the immediate residential community.
New tower strengthens central Baku portfolio
PASHA Real Estate Group will separately expand The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Baku, which opened in 2023.
A proposed second residential tower will add 238 luxury homes to the existing development. Plans include a residents’ lounge, fitness centre and swimming pool.
This expansion indicates continued demand for branded residences within the Azerbaijani capital. It also reinforces Baku’s emergence as a regional centre for premium hospitality, international business and luxury urban living.
“These projects reflect our vision to deliver world-class hospitality and luxury living experiences that meet evolving consumer expectations while creating lasting value for our communities and stakeholders,” Geter said.
He added that the projects were intended to contribute to the long-term attractiveness of Azerbaijan and the wider region.
Le Méridien enters central Tbilisi
Marriott and PASHA will also introduce Le Méridien Tbilisi in Georgia’s capital.
The 152-room hotel is planned for Chugureti, a central district known for its cultural character and increasing appeal among visitors and residents.
The property is expected to offer contemporary guestrooms, several dining venues, meeting and event spaces, and a fitness centre.
Its public areas will include Le Méridien Hub, which reinterprets the conventional hotel lobby as a modern social and gathering space. The concept aligns with the brand’s focus on creativity, culture and destination discovery.
The hotel could support Tbilisi’s expanding city-break, cultural, business and events markets. Its location may also connect guests with neighbourhood dining, architecture and creative experiences outside the city’s established hotel districts.
Marriott deepens its Caucasus presence
The newly announced projects build upon a substantial partnership between Marriott and PASHA Real Estate Group.
Their existing Azerbaijani portfolio includes The Ritz-Carlton, Baku; The St. Regis Baku; JW Marriott Absheron Baku; Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard; Sheraton Baku Intourist Hotel; and Courtyard by Marriott Baku.
It also includes Pik Palace, Shahdag, Autograph Collection, and Park Chalet, Shahdag, Autograph Collection, strengthening Marriott’s presence within Azerbaijan’s mountain tourism market.
Jones described Eastern Europe and the Caucasus as an important growth area supported by travel demand, evolving hospitality infrastructure and appetite for internationally recognised brands.
Projects widen regional tourism appeal
The expansion has implications beyond hotel room supply. New restaurants, spas, meeting venues, beach facilities and social spaces can support employment and increase opportunities for local tourism businesses.
Zagulba’s beachfront development could encourage longer leisure stays near Baku, while the Le Méridien project may introduce more visitors to Tbilisi’s Chugureti district.
The projects also reflect greater competition across the Caucasus for luxury travellers, premium residents and international investment.
By combining coastal resorts, city hotels and branded residences, Marriott and PASHA are creating a more diverse hospitality portfolio. Their latest agreement could strengthen Azerbaijan and Georgia as destinations for travellers seeking culture, business facilities and high-end leisure experiences within one fast-developing region.
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