Nobu Has Picked Its First Address in Puerto Rico

Nobu Hospitality is heading to Puerto Rico. The brand founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and producer Meir Teper announced on September 30 that it will open Nobu Hotel and Restaurant San Juan in 2028, its first property on the island. The hotel will be small, with just 50 rooms, and is being developed with the real estate firm KTT. Nobu describes the site as being in one of San Juan’s most storied neighbourhoods, though the exact location, room design and interiors have not yet been revealed.

As with most Nobu hotels, the restaurant is central to the plan. A signature Nobu restaurant and bar will sit at street level, open to the city as well as to hotel guests, and a rooftop lounge and bar will sit above. Service will follow the Japanese idea of omotenashi, anticipating what guests need before they ask, and the brand promises curated experiences meant to connect guests with Puerto Rican culture rather than shield them from it. Nobu’s CEO Trevor Horwell called Puerto Rico one of the Caribbean’s most compelling destinations.

The choice of San Juan reflects a wider trend in luxury hotels toward smaller, place-rooted properties. The city offers centuries of colonial history, colourful streets, an active gallery scene and a strong food culture. Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, American travellers need no passport to visit, and San Juan’s airport has frequent nonstop flights from across the mainland. KTT managing partner Joakim Lehmkuhl said few Caribbean places combine culture, history and energy the way San Juan does.

There is nothing to book yet. Reservations are not open, and the 2028 opening date is a target that could move, as hotel timelines often do. Nobu now spans restaurants, hotels and residences on five continents, having grown from a single restaurant in New York’s Tribeca in 1994. For fans of the brand, the more immediate draw may be the restaurant, which is likely to become one of San Juan’s most sought-after tables once it opens.

Sources: Haute Living, Travel Weekly