Melia Hotels International announces...

A third of the Spanish hotel group’s pipeline comprises five-star properties

Meliá Hotels International is expanding its luxury footprint in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America.

In 2023, Meliá added to its portfolio of hotels in Tanzania with the opening of Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection – a design-led lodge in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet – and celebrated the Paradisus by Meliá brand landing in Europe with openings in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Continuing its commitment to global expansion, Meliá is preparing to open the doors to Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá in Milan, ME by Meliá properties in Lisbon and Malta, and ZEL, a new lifestyle brand and joint venture with tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

Opening in the heart of the historic Portuguese capital in 2024, ME Lisbon will showcase the brand’s signature avant-garde design and high-quality services, as well as top-notch gastronomic concepts, a Radio Rooftop Bar with panoramic views, and over 600 square metres of meeting and event space.

Also opening in 2024, ME Malta will become the city’s new social and cultural epicentre, in the coastal town of St Julians. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the hotel will feature 140 rooms and suites, innovative culinary offerings and a Radio Rooftop Bar.

ME Sayulita will bring ME’s signature style and innovative cultural programming to Playa de Carricitos in Mexico, featuring 125 rooms and villas and, true to the brand philosophy, an avant-garde luxury experience, with three restaurants, swimming pool, spa, and a rooftop bar with pool and beach club. This will be the third luxury lifestyle brand hotel in Mexico, joining ME Cabo and the future ME Guadalajara, and bolsters Meliá Hotels International’s wider expansion in the country, where it is expected to double its presence in the next two years.

Noteworthy openings for Meliá also include those from ZEL, a new lifestyle brand created in collaboration with Rafael Nadal. Inspired by the welcoming homes, outdoor culture and lifestyle of the Mediterranean, ZEL made its debut in Mallorca in summer 2023 and will continue an ambitious growth plan, starting with ZEL Sayulita in Mexico, projected to open in 2025.

Corporate responsibility and responsible tourism play a key part in the development of the group’s luxury portfolio, with each new opening committed to caring for its local community.

BUILD YOUR OWN TRAVEL BUSINESS. JOIN TRAVEL COUNSELLORS' NEXT EVENT TO FIND OUT HOW

The company has also begun implementing its new sustainable event initiative: Road to Net Zero Events. This project is the result of technology developed in collaboration with Creast, a company that specialises in measuring, reducing and offsetting the environmental impact of events, which has been tested for the past year in Europe at Meliá Barcelona Sarriá and Meliá Berlin.

Meliá Hotels International chief operating officer André Gerondeau said: “It’s an exciting time for Meliá as we embark on an ambitious expansion of our prestigious portfolio of luxury hotels, solidifying our global presence. With great anticipation, we set our sights on the year ahead, as we extend our signature Spanish hospitality to discerning travellers around the world.”

For more information, visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com