Tiago Moraes Sarmento expands Belmond remit to Mexico and the Caribbean
Belmond has promoted its Mexico area leader to a wider regional role covering Maroma, Casa de Sierra Nevada, Cap Juluca and La Samanna.
Sasha Brown
3 min read
Tiago Moraes Sarmento has been promoted to Regional Managing Director, Mexico and the Caribbean at Belmond, extending his leadership remit across the luxury operator’s hotels in both markets. The promotion follows his appointment as Area Managing Director, Mexico in March 2025.
Sarmento confirmed the move in an October LinkedIn announcement. An exact effective date for the expanded position has not been confirmed.
Tiago Moraes Sarmento takes a wider regional remit
According to Belmond’s announcement, the portfolio includes Maroma on Mexico’s Riviera Maya and Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende, alongside Cap Juluca in Anguilla and La Samanna in St Martin.
The company said Sarmento would work with teams across the region to develop guest experiences and support the properties’ longer-term growth. In comments accompanying the announcement, he highlighted the opportunity to extend his work into the Caribbean while retaining the individual culture and character of each destination.
The role therefore broadens an existing Mexico responsibility to include two Caribbean hotels, rather than marking his first appointment to regional leadership within Belmond.
A career across Belmond’s international portfolio
Belmond’s March 2025 appointment release traces Sarmento’s arrival at the company to 2016, when he became General Manager of Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil. He subsequently led the renovation and opening of Cap Juluca, giving him direct experience of a property now within his expanded remit.
He became General Manager of Mount Nelson in Cape Town in 2021. Responsibility for Belmond’s Southern Africa operations followed in 2023, alongside that hotel leadership role, before his move to Mexico in 2025.
Before joining Belmond, Sarmento held positions including Hotel Manager at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico and General Manager at the former W Vieques. A Portuguese national, he holds an International Hospitality Management degree from Glion Hotel School and speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
Distinctive hotels within a wider luxury business
Belmond is part of LVMH and operates beyond hotels, with trains, river boats and safari lodges also forming its collection. LVMH’s company profile dates its origins to the acquisition of Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976 and describes its approach as Slow Luxury.
The Mexico portfolio illustrates the variety of operations under Sarmento’s leadership. Maroma returned following a redesign in August 2023, with local craftsmanship central to its presentation. Meanwhile, Casa de Sierra Nevada occupies six heritage casonas in San Miguel de Allende, connecting its accommodation with the city’s art, architecture and gastronomy.
Continuity across a broader leadership role
For Belmond, the promotion places a larger portfolio with an executive whose experience includes both hotel operations and multi-property leadership. His earlier work at Cap Juluca also provides continuity as the Caribbean becomes part of his regional brief.
The announcement centres on guest experience, property character and collaboration with local teams. It does not set out a new development programme or investment commitment alongside the promotion.
Related reading: WINC’s coverage of Nicolas Streff’s promotion at Belmond and Vincent Billiard’s appointment at Cheval Blanc.
