For 25 years, Meliá has achieved a superb operation in Dominican Republic, offering a wide variety of experiences for different travel plans and is now investing in new entertainment options
Since 1956, Meliá Hotel International -a hotel chain founded in Spain by Gabriel Escarrer- has moved on from its hotel operations in tourist destinations in the Iberian country, such as its properties in Majorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands, to spread its lodging service style at an international level, starting with Meliá Bali, in Indonesia, and afterwards dabbling into the Americas in countries such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, among others, currently operating more than 380 hotels in four continents, besides being listed in Spain’s stock exchange within the IBEX 35 index, which gathers the best 35 companies in the country.
Meliá in the Dominican Republic: a variety of possibilities
Meliá Hotels International started operating in the Dominican Republic in 1996 with the Meliá Bávaro. After more than 25 years, Meliá now offers five hotels, coming up to more than 3,000 rooms, besides three casinos, an important real property operation, three golf courses in the Cocotal area, as well as a shopping mall about to become an amusement park.
Four of the hotels are in the same one million-plus square feet area in a premium location in the Dominican Republic as Bávaro beaches are. If there is a concept which unifies the following properties -besides Meliá’s characteristic touch- is their horizontality, with a low density per square foot and wide gardens:
Meliá Caribe Beach, with a family concept.
Meliá Punta Cana Beach, an adults-only property, Wellbeing and Wellness inclusive.
Paradisus Palma Real, one Meliá’s flagships and one of the most beautiful among the Paradisus line and in the Dominican Republic.
Paradisus Grand Cana, also with one of the best beaches and unrivalled gardens.
Paradisus Punta Cana, which is about three miles away from the rest and is also one of the first Meliá’s properties on the island, open since 1998.
Meliá’s transformation in Dominican territory
Within Meliá Hotels International’s operation in the Dominican Republic, changes are happening from the inside, strengthening synergies and simplifying processes, increasing efficiency and being enabled to provide a better experience for guests.
Since more than two years ago, the company has accomplished a series of important investments, which, beyond the closing of hotels from March until October 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, are a part of a project whose core has not really been modified; not so the properties, which are becoming a real sensation that goes beyond the hospitable aspect to dabble directly in entertainment.
This is only a part of the new Meliá’s look in the Dominican Republic:
Meliá Punta Cana Beach, one of the “adults-only” themed hotels which also carries a “wellness” concept besides having sustainable structures. New restaurants have been created in this hotel to widen the culinary experience and a luxurious YHI SPA -Meliá’s brand- has recently been opened, using organic products which are 100% local.
Paradisus Palma Real keeps that breathtaking sight of the Caribbean upon arrival, as well as counting with “The Reserve for Adults Only” and its family version “The Reserve”.
Meliá Punta Cana is also headquarters for “The Level Adults Only”, with spectacular sights for sunrises and twilights from its rooftop. The whole hotel is enhanced with wellness attributes, having its rooms equipped by DELOS, with mattresses with temperature control, air purifiers, vitamin C showers and even a personalised welcome carried by Deepak Chopra.
Meliá Caribe Beach keeps its family vacation essence, but it has been renovated with three new restaurants apart from an amusement water park, Splash Island -independent from a Kids Zone-. It also counts with a “The Level” version adapted to a family atmosphere.
One of the most recent investments - over US$150 million- is referred Circle -because of its circular shape-, previously The Grand Reserve. The new hotel, which is in Paradisus Grand Cana, offers a premium deluxe concept update, besides counting with attractions such as another Splash water park. In this family hotel, every room is a suite and the ones on ground level are swim-up rooms. The luxury is present in each of its eight restaurants, and it also has MAIA Signature spa, by Natura Bissé.
Katmandu, the great challenge
The Meliá Hotels International’s stellar project in the Dominican Republic ventures completely into the entertainment and leisure sectors and will have significance in all of the Dominican Republic.
Via a strategic partnership, it is foreseen that Katmandú, an amusement theme park, will open in late 2022.
Besides rides, Katmandu will also offer a shopping area and highly digitized operations are expected in the property, which will even offer 360º as well as virtual reality experiences, generating value both for the Meliá hotels, the Punta Cana area and the country.
Being a part of a thriving market
Meliá is not alone, and the hotel offer in this area in the Dominican Republic generates a high competition. This has brought investments also from leisure-related sectors, as hotel industry and tourism are, and the area will probably host more hotels and theme parks in the mid-term.
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