ILTM Cannes 2019: Melia Hotels International Announces Expansion of Gran Melia Brand

Meliá Hotels International (MHI), the leading Spanish hotel group, which was recently recognised as the Most Sustainable Hotel Company in the World by SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, is set to share exclusive updates, including new openings and expansion plans, at ILTM Cannes 2019, which will take place from 2^nd to 5^th December 2019 in Cannes, France.

ME by Meliá Hotels announces ME Malta (set to open Q1 2021), ME Dubai (scheduled for opening Q1 2020), ME Barcelona (expected to open Q3 2020) and ME Doha (set to open Q3 2021).

MHI is delighted to announce ME Malta, the Group’s second project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and the first luxury lifestyle hotel in Malta. Situated in the coastal town of St Julians, which is well known for its shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife, ME Malta will be home to 200 guest rooms, as well as a mall, a Spa & Fitness Centre, infinity pool, executive lounge and a Conference & Business Centre. The hotel’s central location will allow for easy accessibility to the attractions of St Julians, as well as local diving schools, parks, sculptures and several beaches.

Designed by the late architect, Zaha Hadid, ME Dubai is set to become a legacy hotel, taking residence in the breath-taking, 95 metre-high, Opus building – the latest outstanding addition to Dubai’s iconic skyline. Set to open in Q1 2020, the hotel will consist of 93 rooms and suites across 19 floors, the ultra-luxurious ‘Suite ME’, as well as 98 serviced apartments. The property will feature dramatic, signature furniture in the lobby, lounges and reception area, which were either designed or personally selected by Zaha Hadid. ME Dubai will present three owned F&B outlets including all-day-dining concept Central, the pool bar, Refuel & Relax and The Opus Studio. In addition, The Opus building will offer 15 F&B outlets including The Maine Oyster Bar and Grill and ROKA – the contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant. The team have created some of ROKA London’s most iconic dishes, including the yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing and lamb cutlets with Korean spices. To complement the food from the robata, a selection of expertly prepared sushi and sashimi will be available, alongside dishes from the main kitchen. The interior of ROKA Dubai showcases the collaboration between Rainer Becker and esteemed designer, Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo’s Studio Glitt. Located in the centre of the restaurant amongst diners, the robata grill is the focal feature of the ROKA experience and also brings with it the energy that ROKA is famous for.

ME Barcelona, set to open in Q3 2020, is located in the exclusive avenue of Paseo de Gracia and a few metres from Plaza de Cataluña. The property will feature 164 guestrooms and suites as well as a spectacular rooftop with a solarium and pool, offering guests panoramic views over Paseo de Gracia and Plaza Catalunya. It will also include cutting-edge meeting rooms with the latest technology.

Scheduled to open in Q3 2021, ME Doha will be the first property for the Group in Qatar’s capital. The new, five-star hotel will have 235 rooms, MICE facilities, fitness centre and spa. The property will also feature an infinity pool, overlooking the impressive Doha skyline. There will be three restaurants, a nightclub, an open-air cinema and three bars within the property. ME Doha will be part of a spectacular project titled “Dohalive”, which will incorporate the hotel, shopping facilities, cinema complex and open-air leisure facilities.

Gran Meliá: the first Spanish brand to open hotels in Iguazú, Arusha and Chengdu

Leading luxury Spanish hotel brand, Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, is proud to be the first Spanish hotel company to open hotels in some of the world’s most beautiful exotic locations, including Arusha, Iguazú and Chengdu.

Gran Meliá’s first property in Africa, Gran Meliá Arusha, celebrated its official opening this month. Based in the heart of Arusha in Northern Tanzania, the exclusive East African resort, is the perfect base for visitors looking to explore the natural beauty of some of the continent’s most striking landscapes, including the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. In line with Meliá Hotels International’s dedication to being environmentally conscious, the hotel has been created with environmentally friendly materials and a plastic-free commitment. Gran Meliá Arusha will bottle guests’ water on site, while the hotel’s own spice and vegetable garden will supply the resort’s restaurants with seasonal produce.

Gran Meliá Iguazú in Argentina provides guests with the opportunity to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, Iguazú Falls, as well as the spectacular fauna and flora of the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests. The falls feature 275 individual waterfalls with heights ranging from 60-82m and is one of the top visited destinations in Brazil and Argentina, with over one million visitors each year. The hotel is known for its remarkable and unobstructed views of the falls, with 176 rooms and four suites all offering views of the jungle or waterfalls.

Scheduled to open in 2021, Gran Meliá Chengdu will blend history, luxury and avant-garde design both inside and out. With understated elegance in every detail, the property will feature 270 spacious guest rooms, an international dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant with private dining room, a speciality restaurant and a lobby bar. Chengdu, known as the “Land of Abundance”, is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in China and is known as the home of the much-loved giant panda. The city has earned its reputation due to its historic heritage and cuisine-rich culture. Strategically located between the old and new central business districts of the city, Gran Meliá Chengdu provides easy access to the main transport hubs in the city and will be the perfect location for globally minded luxury travellers seeking a refined experience.

Set to open in Q2 2021, Gran Meliá Cam Ranh Bay will join MHI’s portfolio of properties in the beautiful country of Vietnam. Situated on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, Cam Ranh Bay is considered by my many to be the most beautiful deepwater shelter in South East Asia. The hotel is located just five kilometers from Cam Ranh International Airport and close to key attractions, including the Tu Van Pagoda and Binh Ba Island. The hotel will offer 201 rooms, all with a sea view, as well as 92 villas with individual swimming pools. Guests will be able to relax at the beach club or spa, and choose from two new restaurants.

Gran Meliá Zhenghzou is situated in the new business district of Zhengzhou, the capital of east-central China’s Henan province. The hotel will boast 388 rooms and suites, while being the perfect space for a wedding ceremony or a business meeting. The property will join INNSIDE Zhengzhou, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to this exciting city in China.

MHI announces Paradisus Playa Mujeres

The latest addition to the Paradisus by Meliá portfolio, Paradisus Playa Mujeres, opens this December. Inspired by Mexican design and architecture, the luxury all-inclusive resort will boast 498 rooms, each providing stunning views of the tropical gardens and picturesque beaches that highlight the natural beauty of the destination. Paradisus Playa Mujeres will provide access to a private marina, where guests can sail the Caribbean Sea and take in the unforgettable views. Playa Mujeres is the ultimate spot for laid-back luxury in a natural, untouched landscape. Paradisus by Meliá’s new offering ‘Embrace Your Nature’ transports guests into a paradise that reflects the natural beauty of the destination, as well as being environmentally conscious and encouraging guests to immerse themselves in local experiences.

Paradisus Playa Mujeres will join other key properties in Mexico, including Paradisus Los Cabos, Paradisus Cancun, Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda, and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla (adults only).

The Most Sustainable Hotel Company in the World

Earlier this year, MHI achieved the highest SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) in the industry, obtained for having drastically reduced its CO2 emissions in line with targets set by the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi), as well as taking part in Project CO2PERATE which converts CO2 into value-added chemicals using catalysis and renewable energy. The SAM CSA is an annual evaluation of the sustainability performance of more than 4,700 companies in all industries based on general economic, social and environmental criteria and specific criteria for each industry. In 2018, MHI voluntarily took part in the evaluation and achieved the third highest score in the industry as well as Silver Class recognition in the Sustainability Yearbook published by SAM. This year, the Spanish hotel company set a new record in achieving its highest ever score to date. The results of the assessment confirm MHI’s excellent performance, commitment to social and economic development and its key role in combating climate change in the hotel industry. The Company is taking its commitment to preserve the environment even further, as it pledged to go entirely plastic-free across all its brands by the end of 2020.

About Meliá Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 390 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Company is the global leader in resort hotels, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market.

Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in the world in 2019, according to the sustainable investment RobecoSAM. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking). 

About Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts

Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the first Spanish luxury hotel brand, which takes residence in some of the world’s most beautiful landmarks, combining timeless luxury, stunning architecture and Spanish culture. Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts offers exceptional experiences and services, which are a modern expression of Spanish culture. There are currently 13 Gran Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint.

All properties are located in the most important global travel destinations, such as Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (Madrid, Spain), Gran Meliá de Mar (Mallorca, Spain), Gran Melia Colón (Seville, Spain), Gran Meliá Xi’an (China), Gran Meliá Rome (Italy), Gran Meliá Sancti Petri (Cádiz, Spain) and Gran Meliá Iguazú (Argentina). The brand is set to expand further in Asia, with the launch of Gran Meliá Zhengzhou at the end of 2019. Follow Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts on Instagram @gran_melia and Facebook GranMeliaHotels. www.granmelia.com

About ME by Meliá

ME by Meliá is a chain of lifestyle hotels with clear personalities, located in global capitals of culture and fashion. It fuses innovation with local brushstrokes and a taste for contemporary design, international cuisine and music to captivate its guests.

By capturing these elements, the ME philosophy lends a much more personal touch to the experience of the traveller. Follow ME by Meliá on Twitter @MEbyMelia, Facebook mebymelia and Instagram @me_by_melia. www.mebymelia.com

About Paradisus by Meliá

Paradisus by Meliá is a luxurious, all-inclusive hotel brand owned and managed by Meliá Hotels International, one of the most successful family-owned hotel companies worldwide. The properties are in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, as well as emerging hotspots, offering the ultimate guest experience with elegant design and spectacular architecture, world-class cuisine and premium service, while providing ultimate relaxation in a stress-free and upscale environment. All properties reflect their surrounding environments and are set amid tropical gardens, chic restaurants, lavish suites, award-winning spas, beautiful sandy beaches and oversized swimming pools.  

The luxury hotel brand currently has 11 hotels in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Mexico, such as Paradisus Palma Real and Paradisus Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Paradisus Cancun, Paradisus Playa del Carmen and Paradisus Los Cabos (Mexico). All properties are surrounded by stunning gardens, with beach-front views that reflect the natural beauty of the destination. Paradisus by Meliá brand is rapidly expanding, The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real opened in December 2018, and 2020 will see new openings in Mexico and Cuba, including Paradisus Los Cayos (Cuba) and Paradisus Playa Mujeres (Mexico).

Committed to health and well-being and environmentally conscious, each resort offers a range of authentic, personalised, Life Enriching Experience activities such as yoga, YHI Spa treatments, water sports and cooking classes. Paradisus by Meliá offers unique room categories and luxury upgrade options, including Royal Service (adults only) and Family Concierge (families only), which are ideal for a wide range of guests: couples, family holidays, weddings and business trips. Follow Paradisus by Meliá on Instagram @paradisusbymelia and Facebook Paradisusbymelia. www.melia.com/paradisus