Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (July 24, 2025) – W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive, the first all-inclusive resort under W Hotels, is pleased to announce the appointments of two key members of its opening leadership team: Miriam Hernandez as Director of Sales & Marketing and Julio Cesar Valdivia as Executive Chef.
As established members of the leadership team, Miriam Hernandez and Julio Cesar Valdivia have brought impactful expertise and creative vision to W Punta Cana’s adults-only luxury experience. Their ongoing contributions continue to reinforce the property’s mission to redefine all-inclusive hospitality through innovation, bold design, and exceptional service.
A seasoned commercial strategist with over 25 years of experience in hospitality, travel, and technology, Miriam Hernandez will oversee all facets of the resort’s commercial strategy. In her new role, she is focused on brand positioning, driving revenue, and cultivating long-term industry partnerships.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape a new chapter for both the W brand and the all-inclusive category,” said Hernandez. “W Punta Cana is unlike any other property in the Caribbean, and together with this talented team, we offer an inspired strategy, creative storytelling, and passionate partnerships, putting the property on the global stage.”
Prior to joining Marriott International, Hernandez held leadership roles at Hyatt International and Expedia Group, where she served as Director of Market Management for the Caribbean Region. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a results-driven approach to business development and is known for building high-performing teams and fostering meaningful stakeholder relationships. Hernandez holds a master’s degree in marketing from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico and has completed executive coursework at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration.
Joining her on the resort’s opening leadership team is Executive Chef Julio Cesar Valdivia, a Peruvian culinary talent with more than 15 years of experience across six countries and eight global hotel brands. Valdivia brings a globally inspired culinary perspective shaped by past roles at luxury properties including Taj Dubai, W Costa Rica, W Aspen, and W Nashville.
Valdivia began his culinary journey at just 17 while studying accounting at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in Lima, quickly trading numbers for knives as his passion for gastronomy took over. He now channels that early spark into bold, globally inspired cuisine, leading with a philosophy rooted in creativity, quality, and emotional connection.
“W Punta Cana is a place where guests will mix flavor with emotion,” said Valdivia. “Food is a universal language, and I’m thrilled to be building a culinary experience here that’s bold, elevated, and intentionally original.”
W Punta Cana is poised to be a multi-sensory dining journey that unfolds across a variety of distinctive venues, each offering its own immersive take on international, Caribbean, and Dominican cuisine. Executive Chef Julio Cesar Valdivia brings the experience together with a creative vision that spans every outlet with reimagined Dominican and Caribbean flavors come to life in an elegant, emotionally resonant setting. Working alongside a talented team of chefs from across Latin America and the Dominican Republic, Valdivia infuses each dish with cultural depth and culinary soul.
Beyond its bold culinary program, W Punta Cana invites guests to revel in a fully immersive, adults-only escape. The resort seamlessly blends play, purpose, and a deep connection with the Dominican culture; it promises a liberated take on luxury in one of the Caribbean’s most coveted coastal enclaves.
For more information about W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive, visit: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pujwh-w-punta-cana-adult-all-inclusive
