Dominican Republic
An array of possibilities in the Dominican Republic 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.
Produced by Jassen Pintado Written by Mateo Rafael Tablado Translated by María Murgui de Pedro Interviewee Santiago Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic
Meliá
S
Hospitality
ince 1956, Meliá
MELIÁ IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: A VARIETY OF POSSIBILITIES Meliá Hotels International started operating in the Dominican Republic
Hotel International -a hotel chain
in 1996 with the Meliá Bávaro. After
founded in Spain by Gabriel Escarrer-
more than 25 years, Meliá now offers
has moved on from its hotel operations
five hotels, coming up to more than
in tourist destinations in the Iberian
3,000 rooms, besides three casinos, an
country, such as its properties in
important real property operation, three
Majorca and the rest of the Balearic
golf courses in the Cocotal area, as well
Islands, to spread its lodging service
as a shopping mall about to become an
style at an international level, starting
amusement park.
with Meliá Bali, in Indonesia, and
Four of the hotels are in the same
afterwards dabbling into the Americas
one million-plus square feet area in
in countries such as Mexico and the
a premium location in the Dominican
Dominican Republic, among others,
Republic as Bávaro beaches are.
currently operating more than 380
If there is a concept which unifies
hotels in four continents, besides being the following properties -besides
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listed in Spain’s stock exchange within
Meliá’s characteristic touch- is their
the IBEX 35 index, which gathers the
horizontality, with a low density per
best 35 companies in the country.
square foot and wide gardens:
Meliá
Hospitality
“The differentiation attribute by which Meliá stands out is the human element, it is in them where we have our great value” - Santiago Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic
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Hospitality
Meliá
• Meliá Caribe Beach, with a family concept.
-Paradisus Grand Cana, also with one of the best beaches and unrivalled gardens.
-Meliá Punta Cana Beach, an adults only property, Wellbeing and Wellness inclusive.
• Paradisus Punta Cana, which is about three miles away from the rest and is also one of the first Meliá’s
• Paradisus Palma Real, one Meliá’s flagships and one of the most beautiful among the Paradisus line and in the Dominican Republic.
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properties on the island, open since 1998. “The differentiation attribute by which Meliá stands out is our human
Hospitality
Meliá
element, it is in them where we have
internship and afterwards became
our great value”, pointed out Santiago
promoted to leadership positions,
Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director
working in different countries in f
for Meliá Hotels International in the
our continents.
Dominican Republic. A CAREER STANDING OUT DUE TO CONSTANT GROWTH Santiago Rivera Núñez has
Rivera Núñez took part in the opening of the first Spanish hotel in China, specifically in Shanghai, and has worked in Meliá’s properties
developed his entire career at Meliá
in Tunisia and Mexico, besides the
Hotels International, where he first
Dominican Republic.
entered to carry out his professional
“Meliá is the ideal company to
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Meliá
Hospitality
”Meliá is the ideal company to get trained and grow.
I am really proud of belonging to this great family” - Santiago Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic
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Hospitality
Meliá
learn and grow. I am really proud of
which also carries a “wellness” concept
belonging to this large family”, the
besides having sustainable structures.
executive commented.
New restaurants have been created
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
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”.
series of important investments, which, beyond the closing of hotels
• Meliá Punta Cana is also
from March until October 2020 due to
headquarters for “The Level Adults
COVID-19 restrictions, are a part of a
Only”, with spectacular sights for
project whose core has not really been
sunrises and twilights from its rooftop.
modified; not so the properties, which
The whole hotel is enhanced with
are becoming a real sensation that
wellness attributes, having its rooms
goes beyond the hospitable aspect to
equipped by DELOS, with mattresses
dabble directly in entertainment.
with temperature control, air purifiers,
This is only a part of the new Meliá’s look in the Dominican Republic: • Meliá Punta Cana Beach, one
vitamin C showers and even a personalised welcome carried by Deepak Chopra.
of the “adults-only” themed hotels
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Hospitality
Meliá
• Meliá Caribe Beach keeps
previously The Grand Reserve. The
its family vacation essence, but it
new hotel, which is in Paradisus
has been renovated with three new
Grand Cana, offers a premium deluxe
restaurants apart from an amusement
concept update, besides counting
water park, Splash Island -independent with attractions such as another from a Kids Zone-. It also counts with a Splash water park. In this family hotel, “The Level” version adapted to a family
every room is a suite and the ones on
atmosphere.
ground level are “swim-up” rooms.
One of the most recent investments
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The luxury is present in each of its
- over US$150 million- is referred
eight restaurants, and it also has MAIA
Circle -because of its circular shape-,
Signature spa, by Natura Bissé.
Hospitality
Meliá
“We must do things we did not use to do, as guests become more informed, demanding more
and will have significance in all of the Dominican Republic. Via a strategic partnership, it
personalised, higher quality
is foreseen that Katmandú, an
experiences”, declared Rivera Núñez.
amusement theme park, will open
KATMANDU, THE GREAT CHALLENGE The Meliá Hotels International’s
in late 2022. Besides rides, Katmandu will also offer a shopping area and highly
stellar project in the Dominican
digitized operations are expected in
Republic ventures completely into the
the property, which will even offer 360º
entertainment and leisure sectores
as well as virtual reality experiences,
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Hospitality
Meliá
“Guests become more informed, demanding more personalized, higher quality experiences” - Santiago Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic
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 leisurerelated 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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September 2021
Meliá
Hospitality
FOUNDED
“There are many companies, both Anglo-Saxon and Hispanic which are investing a great amount of money in the country and in the area. I can say that this is the perfect moment to invest in the Dominican Republic”, concluded
1996 ein the Dominican Republic. 1956 worldwide
INDUSTRY Hospitality CONTACT www.melia.com/en/home.htm +1(809) 688-5000 santiago.rivera@melia.com
Santiago Rivera Núñez, Area Managing Director for Meliá Hotels International in the Dominican Republic.
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www.melia.com/en/home.htm santiago.rivera@melia.com
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