US$18m Plaza Court Hotel opens on Main St

-President urges collaboration to sell ‘One Guyana’ brand

President Irfaan Ali yesterday underscored the importance of collaboration over competition within Guyana’s growing hospitality sector, as the US$18 million Plaza Court Hotel officially opened its doors on Main Street, Georgetown.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President said that while the country continues to see a rapid expansion of high-end hotels, operators must work together to sell a single destination brand. “You cannot compete to sell that brand. You must collaborate to sell that brand. The brand is One Guyana,” he said.

Ali noted that the Plaza Court Hotel is the seventh major hotel to open within the past year, adding that over the last five years Guyana has welcomed nine international-standard hotels. He said this growth reflects strong private sector confidence in the economy and the government’s long-term development vision.

The President also pointed to improvements in public safety, stating that there has been no reported crime in the immediate Main Street area in recent months. He said this was the result of targeted investment in infrastructure, technology, and security, all of which support tourism and business development.

Ali used the opportunity to call out what he described as persistent negativity from some Guyanese, urging citizens instead to acknowledge progress and support national development. He praised local investors for reinvesting in the country and helping to build a stronger, more diversified economy.

The Plaza Court Hotel occupies the building which was previously the Main Street Plaza Hotel and the King’s Plaza Hotel.

Plaza Court Hotel Chairman Ravin Prashad and Director Navin Prashad said the project was driven by a belief in Guyana’s future and a clear demand for quality accommodation, particularly during major regional and international events.

Navin Prashad said that the 60-room boutique hotel was designed and built to international standards by One Construction Group and features a modern lobby, fully stocked bar, restaurant, meeting and private dining rooms, a gym, a rooftop bar overlooking the Demerara River, and a presidential suite intended to host heads of government and other high-level visitors.

He said the hotel is locally owned, with no franchise affiliation, and builds on the family’s experience in hospitality through the Palm Court brand. Prashad also committed to working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority to maintain high service standards while supporting affordable accommodation options for the diaspora.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues said the opening comes at a critical point for Guyana’s tourism sector, which continues to record strong growth in visitor arrivals and international recognition. She noted that Guyana recorded over 453,000 arrivals in 2025, a 22% increase from the previous year, with the United States and the wider Caribbean remaining the largest source markets.

Rodrigues said investments such as Plaza Court strengthen the national room stock, ease pressure on existing facilities, and enhance Guyana’s ability to host international conferences, sporting events, and business delegations.

Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer  Peter Ramsaroop said the hotel represents more than a physical structure, noting that it supported local suppliers during construction and will continue to contribute to employment and economic activity. He credited the government’s macroeconomic stability and clear development plan for attracting sustained private investment.

The Plaza Court Hotel is located opposite the Prime Minister’s official residence on Main Street, near several diplomatic missions and historic landmarks.

As its doors opened, President Ali said the facility adds to Guyana’s evolving tourism landscape and reinforces the message that development is strongest when the public and private sectors move forward together.