FITCUBA 2015
Magazine Latest News
no.5
Meliรก Hotels International Cuba
Meliรก Hotels international
a quarter of a century in Cuba JARDINES DEL REY a firm commitment
Meliรก Hotels International Cuba
Contents 05
Jardines del Rey, a firm commitment
04 Water Activities at Meliá Cuba Benvenuta Italia to FITCuba 2015!
06 • More options for events and meetings • Resort Credit, an appealing option at the Paradisus Resorts
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07 • Meliá Varadero opens the exclusive The Level section
10 • Adore by Meliá Cuba: New programmes for honeymooners
08 Ten reasons to visit Meliá Marina Varadero
11 • Meliá Cuba Events 2015 • Meliá Cuba Activities 2015
12 • # MeliáCuba leaders in social networks in Cuba
• New Meliá Cuba App
13 • Adults Only Hotels by Meliá • More prizes, recognitions and certifications
14 • New Projects • Fairs we are attending • Products constantly being updated
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Meliá Hotels International, a quarter of a century in Cuba
When Sol Palmeras, the first hotel marketed and managed under contract by a foreign chain in Cuba, was opened on 10 May 1990, few dared to imagine that Meliá Hotels International would celebrate their silver anniversary with this island, the largest in the Antilles. Today we are exceedingly proud to be present at eight Cuban destinations and to have contributed to the development of the tourist industry in this country through a relationship based on trust, respect, professionalism and team work. Around 13,000 rooms in 27 hotels and resorts demonstrates the commitment of Meliá Hotels International to Cuba and the company’s steadfast determination to continue updating and growing our offer in this country where we have the largest number of our facilities in the Caribbean.
The FITCuba 2015 International Tourism Fair is an ideal time to celebrate this quarter of a century of Meliá Cuba together with the country’s main agents of the tourism industry and representatives of important foreign collaborators. It is also an exceptional opportunity because the host of this professional event is Meliá Jardines del Rey, the newest of our resorts. In this edition of the magazine for trade fairs containing our latest news we present a current overview of Meliá Cuba, including our most recent openings, programmes and refurbishments, and the new features of our digital universe, the calendar of our own events and recognitions that honour and bind us.
Sol Palmeras
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Water Activities at Meliá Cuba: All eight of Meliá Cuba’s destinations are equipped with sailing facilities making it possible to arrive by boat.
The number of water activities and people wanting to practise them is constantly growing in Cuba, and every year the warm, transparent and highly safe waters of this archipelago attract thousands of tourists wishing to plough through the water. International marinas, international diving centres, water activity bases and centres form the infrastructure in this country for trips and excursions and for scuba diving, sport fishing and water sports. At the holiday resorts Meliá Cuba manages, located at the best beaches in the country, the sea is not only the unbeatable backdrop wherever you find yourself, but also a source of entertainment and the heart and soul of our event programmes. Water activities are an important attraction at our accommodation units offering beginners’ diving
classes in the swimming pools, water activity centres on the beaches, sea excursions, fishing and diving programmes, diving centres… We have reaffirmed our commitment to water activities at Meliá Marina Varadero Hotel & Apartments; in summer 2013, we opened the largest tourist port in the country at Marina Gaviota Varadero. Designed for sea lovers, this fantastic resort has all the facilities to combine life on board with long stays on land, next to the most famous beach in Cuba. Only a few months ago, the opening of an international kite surf school in Sol Cayo Guillermo hit the news; the air currents at the beaches surrounding this hotel are ideal for this high-risk sport.
Benvenuta Italia TO FITCuba 2015! The guest of honour at the 35th FITCuba is Italy, the country accounting for 3.7% of all the tourists that travelled to Cuba last year. According to the Cuban Office of Statistics and Information, in 2014 Italy was the fourth of the outbound markets for the island (112,076 visitors, a growth of 17.3%
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FEBRUARY
MARCH
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compared with the previous year). This was only exceeded by Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, in that order. The Meliá Cuba hotels received almost 33,000 visitors from the Italian peninsula in 2014, up 25.2% in comparison with the previous year.
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On average, Italians stay four nights and represent around 3% of the market share at our hotels. To further our links with travel agents and tour operators in this country, Meliá Cuba regularly takes part in the International Tourism Exchange (BIT) in Milan.
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NOVEMBER
OVERNIGHT STAYS OF ITALIAN TOURISTS
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Jardines del Rey, a firm commitment
On 7 November 1997, the opening of Sol Cayo Coco marked a double debut for Meliá Cuba. On the one hand, it represented the start of relations with the Gran Caribe Hotel Group, with which we now operate seven accommodation establishments and over 2,200 rooms. It was also our first hotel managed by our division at Jardines del Rey, a destination we have helped to develop and promote since then. Two years later we expanded our presence here with Sol Cayo Guillermo and Meliá Cayo Coco, a resort for adults only that is currently one of the best positioned hotels on travel opinion sites. In 2000 we added Meliá Cayo Guillermo, the resort with the highest standard on this island, and Tryp Cayo Coco, the result of our purchase of the Tryp brand. Finally, Meliá Jardines del Rey, the largest establishment Meliá Hotels International owns worldwide, with 1,176 rooms, opened its doors last December. Located at Flamenco beach, one of the most stunning spots in Cayo Coco, it offers facilities and services for relaxation,
enjoyment, inspiration, body worship, romance and so much more. These six accommodation options, all under the attractive all-inclusive formula, total around 2,700 extremely comfortable rooms with either a four- or five-star category. At each of them families, couples, event and incentive groups, as well as diving, fishing and bird watching fans can find a variety of food options, swimming pools, entertainment programmes, sport courts, gyms, water activity centres, mini-clubs, gazebos for weddings, meeting rooms, excursion offices, and even a kite surf school! The day around free system also invites guests to discover the Meliá Cuba hotels at this destination. Joined to the north of the central province of Ciego de Ávila by a spectacular causeway over the sea, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo have dozens of kilometres of beaches with fine sand and turquoise waters. Few places in the Caribbean can compete with the beauty of their seabeds protected by some of the most important coral reefs in the world.
As this holiday resort is particularly recommended for families, it has a daily programme for children, Club Cubamigos pack, kids corner, miniclub, babysitting service, family coordinator and children’s beach and pool activities. Tourist village next to the hotel with services and facilities outside of the All-Inclusive package: Japanese restaurant, bowling alley and games room, nightclub, spa, gym, shops and arts and crafts gallery.
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More options for events and meetings The opening of Meliá Jardines del Rey, the twenty-seventh hotel managed by Meliá Hotels International Cuba, further expands our options for the events and meetings segment. The new accommodation has a function room with 570 m2 which can be divided into two meeting rooms with direct access from the lobby, as well as outdoor areas for cocktails and coffee breaks, several multipurpose spaces and added values for groups. We have hotels and resorts recommended for event tourism in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, as well as Varadero, Holguín, and the keys of Cayo Largo, Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. These establishments have areas for professional meetings and social gatherings, from gardens and terraces to multi-purpose function rooms that can be converted
into very different formats, equipped with the very latest technology. In addition to these facilities, we offer the services of professional event planners that coordinate the service provided to participants and take care of all the details. Paradisus Varadero, Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Meliá Cohiba, Meliá Varadero, Meliá Península Varadero and Meliá Habana were the hotels with the most sales in 2014 for Meetings & Events by Meliá Hotels International Cuba, our department specialising in the group, conference, function and incentive segment. Marketing actions have been planned and implemented for the most productive markets this year: France, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Uruguay, Turkey and Mexico. We have also taken part in the main specialised fairs in this segment.
Resort Credit IN Paradisus RESORTS The three Paradisus Resorts of Meliá Cuba have started up the exchangeable vouchers scheme for products and services excluded from the all-inclusive option. These include room upgrading, massages and treatments at the Yhi Spa, premium wine menu, special dinners and others that vary from resort to resort. Guests booking between four and six nights can obtain up to 550 CUC in Resort Credit per room and up to 1000 CUC if they are staying for one week or more. For stays up to 31 October in Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Paradisus Varadero and Paradisus Río de Oro, they can book with Resort Credit before 30 September on the Meliá Cuba website or through travel agencies. www.paradisuscuba.com 6
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Meliá Varadero is recommended for meetings and events, weddings and honeymoons, as well as golfers and their families.
New Year festivities at Meliá Varadero have been extra special due to the recent opening of the exclusive area called The Level, designed for guests seeking a superior level of luxury and sophistication. Last 22 December, this classic hotel at the best sun and beach destination in Cuba received its first guests in this privileged area. The fifth floor of this star-shaped pyramid building offers seven suites affording sea views and 63 extremely comfortable rooms, a VIP bar lounge with breakfast and à la carte snacks service, open bar, meeting room, business centre service and comfortable areas to relax in. The Level guests also have a Concierge Service, personalised check-in, late check-out, free Wi-Fi connection in rooms and communal areas, 24-hour room service, pillow menu and nightly turndown service. They also have priority booking in à la carte restaurants, green fees included at the Varadero Golf Club, free sauna in the gym, discounts on massages and other amenities to turn every stay into an exceptional experience. The opening of The Level continues to add attractive facilities to Meliá Varadero, the all-inclusive resort recommended for meetings and events, weddings and honeymoons, as well as golfers and their families.
Meliá VARADERO Autopista Sur, Playa Las Américas, Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba
www.melia-varadero.com MeliaVaraderoCuba
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TEN REASONS TO visit
Meliá Marina Varadero HOTEL & APARTAMENTS
Fans of diving, fishing and water activities in general, but also couples, families and groups travelling on business or for pleasure, are offered two new proposals at Marina Gaviota Varadero: Meliá Marina Varadero Hotel & Apartments and the tourist village Plaza Las Morlas. There are many reasons why you should take advantage of these new options at the most famous beach in Cuba:
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The hotel has 423 rooms with magnificent views of the marina and Hicacos Peninsula, a large swimming pool in the form of a lake, two children’s pools and a walkway for direct access to the beach. Introductory diving classes, evening enter tainment and themed shows are included in the programme of activities.
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Meliá Marina Varadero is a major five-star resor t with different types of accommodation: an all-inclusive hotel and two self-catering condominium areas with fully equipped, spacious and functional studios or apar tments with one to three bedrooms.
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The hotel’s facilities are rounded off by a buffet restaurant and four specialised restaurants (Latin, French, Oriental and Italian), three snack bars and seven bars with a variety of novel dishes awaiting your palate, some with allegorical names and settings of the life and work of the famous author Ernest Hemingway.
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The Level is an exclusive section for luxury within the hotel with 88 rooms, Concierge Service, personalised minibar, hydrothermal circuit, discounts on massages, priority golf and diving bookings, room service and pillow menu, among other amenities.
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For long stays in the apar tments, the ‘longer you stay the less you pay’ formula applies, with generous discounts that encourage not only groups and families to stay longer, but also couples and independent travellers seeking space and comfor t.
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There are facilities in the apar tment areas to enjoy your stay to the max, whether you’re relaxing with your par tner or spending a perfect holiday with your family: swimming pool, gym, tennis cour ts, mini-market, laundry service, car park and pass-hotel offers to access the allinclusive services.
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Meliá Marina Varadero provides ultramodern function rooms with a flexible format, wedding gazebo, alternative locations and group coordinator to hold professional and social events with full guarantees of success in a truly tropical seaside environment.
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A walkway leads to Varadero, the most famous beach in Cuba, which invites you to plunge into its warm waters, fish, dive and cross its delightful waters, combining the enjoyment of the natural beauty of your surroundings with a lively time on board.
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In the process of becoming the largest tourist por t in Cuba, Marina Gaviota Varadero offers around 1,200 ber ths and 13 pontoons for mooring. It also has a catamaran station and a diving and fishing centre with a specialised shop.
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Several enter tainment options converge in the tourist village, Plaza Las Morlas, (music room, jazz café, bowling alley, shops), cuisine (specialised restaurants, tapas bar, coffee house, ice cream parlour) and wellness (spa, gym, beauty salon).
MELIÁ MARINA VARADERO - HOTEL & APARTMENTS Autopista del Sur y Final, Punta Hicacos, Varadero, Matanzas. Cuba jefe.ventas.mmv@meliacuba.com www.melia-marinavaradero.com MeliaMarinaVaradero
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NEW
PROGRAMMES
FOR HONEYMOONS New Meliá Cuba programmes will start this summer for weddings, honeymoons and renewal of vows after an upgrading process that includes a redesign of the website www.weddingcubachannel.com The new honeymoon programmes, designed to fully match high international standards, are presented as FREE WEDDING LUXURY WEDDING MEMORABLE WEDDING LIVE YOUR DREAM WEDDING CITY WEDDING RENEWAL OF VOWS (Free Option) FREE HONEYMOON ROMANTIC ESCAPE
• A special room is reserved for (handcrafted chocolates, Cuban music the couple, with flowers, a bottle of and Cuban rum). sparkling wine and tropical fruit upon • Privacy and comfort, both in BY arrival as well as a daily turndown accommodations designed specifically service, private check-in with a for adults or for guests of all ages. welcome cocktail and late check-out, among other What is more, in the Royal Service and The Level The Meliá Hotels special touches, with the most impeccable service at sections, newlyweds will experience romantic International Cuba all times. moments to utterly enjoy themselves. resorts can be an • Select cuisine, with breakfast in the room the • Wedding coordinator to provide personalised outstanding getaway morning after arrival, a romantic dinner and priority service, attention to details and assist the bride and for a perfectly reservations in the specialty restaurants. The city groom. romantic honeymoon. hotels also offer free entrance to their nightclub or • Excursions to Havana, the “Cayos” in the north of disco so that the newlyweds can celebrate in true the country, Varadero, Holguín and other attractive Caribbean style. destinations of the Cuban archipelago. • Additional services for weddings: Beauty and spa sessions, • Memorable experiences off the beaten path on a very party and private dinner with open bar, live music, flower hospitable and seductive island, that is much more than arrangements, photography, video and gifts for the guests beaches and tropical warmth.
HOTELS AND DESTINATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR HONEYMOONERS HAVANA: Meliá Cohiba, Meliá Habana y Tryp Habana Libre; Varadero: Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Paradisus Varadero, Meliá Las Américas, Meliá Las Antillas, Meliá Marina Varadero, Meliá Península Varadero, Meliá Varadero y Sol Palmeras; cayos: Meliá Buenavista, Meliá Cayo Santa María, Meliá Las Dunas, Meliá Jardines del Rey, Meliá Cayo Coco, Meliá Cayo Guillermo, Sol Cayo Largo y Sol Cayo Guillermo; HolguíN: Paradisus Río de Oro y Sol Río de Luna y Mares; SANTIAGO DE CUBA: Meliá Santiago de Cuba.
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MELIÁ CUBA
MELIÁ CUBA
MELIÁ CUBA
Meliá Las Américas
Meliá Las Américas
Meliá Las antillas
Meliá Las Américas Golf Cup 2ND EDITION May 14 to 16
8TH EDITION June 6 to 13
3RD EDITION Septemner 28 to October 3
Meliá Cuba Golf Cup 7TH EDITION October 22 to 24
Celebrate Meliá Hotels International’s 25 years in Cuba. We invite you to join our most loyal guests in a series of events aimed at pleasing each and everyone. Added values, free hotel stays and other attractive prizes will be drawn during these events.
For more details, check our website and follow us on our social media: # MeliaCuba
ActiviTIES
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MeliaLasAmericasCuba MeliaLasAntillasCuba
melia-lasamericas.com melia-lasantillas.com
This year, Meliá Cuba will be hosting several thematic weeks, which will make our holiday resorts ever so appealing. Music, fashion, well-being and fine cuisine are part of a wide range of activities available in Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín and Cayo Santa María… Don’t miss out!
YOGA / Paradisus Río de Oro and Paradisus Varadero may PILATES / Paradisus Princesa del Mar and Meliá Jardines del Rey FOOD & WINE / Paradisus Princesa del Mar MUSIC FESTIVAL / Meliá Las Dunas
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aUgUst FASHION & MUSIC WEEK / Meliá Marina Varadero PILATES / Paradisus Río de Oro and Paradisus Varadero YOGA / Paradisus Princesa del Mar ZUMBA / Meliá Jardines del Rey
octOBER
LEADERSINSOCIAL NETWORKS
IN
OUR FOLLOWERS
GROWTH OF OUR FOLLOWERS IN 2015
soon on instagram
New
Meliá Cuba App
iOS
Download it now!
Why not download our free Meliá Cuba app before your next trip to the Caribbean’s largest island. You’ll then have all the information you need on our hotels and this fabulous destination at your fingertips.
CU B A , A TRU E PLEASU RE
More awards, recognitions and certifications H otels Many of our accommodation options have received major recognition in recent months due to online voting, guest opinions and expert reviews for not only the high-quality of our offerings, but also their popularity in online travel communities.
Four exotic destinations and six first-class hotels that offer privacy, entertainment, exquisite restaurants and extremely romantic settings designed only for adults.
Condé Nast Johansens 2015 Awards for Excellence Meliá Buenavista Best Service in The Caribbean Paradisus Río de Oro Worldwide Luxury Spas www.johansens.com
Paradisus Princesa del Mar +18 years Varadero Paradisus Río de Oro +18 years Emerald Beach Meliá Las Américas +18 years Varadero
Travelers´ Choice de TripAdvisor Meliá Buenavista Best Service in The Caribbean Paradisus Río de Oro Worldwide Luxury Spas www.tripadvisor.es/TravelersChoice
HolidayCheck Award 2015 MELIÁ LAS AMÉRICAS HolidayCheck Recommended 2014 Paradisus Princesa del Mar Paradisus Río de Oro Meliá Santiago de Cuba Meliá Marina Varadero Meliá Varadero Meliá Las Américas Meliá Península Varadero Meliá Las Antillas Meliá Las Dunas Meliá Cayo Santa María Meliá Cayo Coco Meliá Cayo Guillermo Sol Palmeras Sol Cayo Santa María Sol Cayo Coco Sol Cayo Guillermo Sol Río de Luna y Mares http://www.holidaycheck.com
Meliá Las ANTILLAS +16 years Varadero Meliá Buenavista +18 years Cayo Santa María Meliá Cayo Coco +18 years Cayo Coco
Kiwi Collection Royal Service Paradisus Varadero Royal Service Paradisus Princesa del Mar Royal Service Paradisus Río de Oro www.kiwicollection.com
FoodCheck de CRISTAL International Standards Meliá Marina Varadero Hotel & Apartments Paradisus Varadero www.cristalstandards.com
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NEW projects
• Meliá International • Paradisus Cayo Santa María • FAMILY CONCIERGE at Paradisus Varadero
O U R h otel s are being renovated
Fairs we are attending
Paradisus Princesa del Mar
January - February 28-1 Madrid International Tourism Fair FITUR 12-14 Milán Bolsa Internacional del Turismo BIT 25-27 Bogotá Vitrina Turística de Anato 25-1 Portugal BTL Tourism Fair
Gran Terraza Buffet Restaurant / www.travelagentscuba.com
Paradisus Varadero
MarCH 4-8 Berlín ITB Tourism Fair 9-11 Frankfurt Luxury Travel Fair Loop 12-13 Moscow Luxury Travel Mart (spring edition) 18-21 Moscow Moscow International Travel & Tourism MITT 19-22 Paris Salon International du Tourisme
To pursue with the new image of the rooms, the bathrooms were remodelled with a new concept, which included replacing the bathtub with a natural stone shower stall and a glass-dividing wall, which make the bathrooms appear cleaner and more spacious. The resort also unveiled a beautiful garden with hammocks and benches where guests can gaze upon cherry trees, irises and ferns. Horticultural garden
Meliá Varadero The new Sakura Japanese restaurant opened on the ground floor, offering dinner service with a sushi bar and show cooking with hot teppanyaki grill. More than 50 rooms have been spruced up with new bathrooms and a complete renovation of their floors, walls, furniture and lighting. The ornamental lake in the lobby has been totally transformed with the installation of white sandstone tiles and LED lighting.
APril 11-12 Portugal Feria Mundo Abreu 22-24 Sao Paulo World Travel Market Latin America 2015 May 5-7 Cayo Coco (Meliá Jardines del Rey) FITCUBA 5-8 Sao Paulo Travelweek
The Gran Terraza buffet restaurant has a new central air-conditioned room along with an outdoor area including grill, terrace with pergola and gazebos that increases its capacity to accommodate over 350 guests. The interior design of the Sakura Japanese restaurant and the Port Royal beach restaurant have been updated, with the addition of a handmade grill and stone oven to diversify the menu and offer grilled meats and fish.
Lobby / www.travelagentscuba.com
SeptEMBER - OCTOBER 28-1 Cancun ILTM Americas
Meliá Las Américas Along with the improvements in the lobby, Meliá Las Américas also transformed the appearance of its Cascada bar. Now this space, which has also been expanded towards the garden area, boasts new furniture, fabrics and lighting.
NovEMBER - DECEMBER 9-12 Morocco Pure LIFE EXPERIENCES 30-3 Cannes ILTM
MELIÁ CUBA 2015 14
Lobby
Gym / www.travelagentscuba.com
El Portulano Restaurant
Reception
Sol Palmeras
Meliá Cayo Santa María
Tryp Cayo Coco
The terrace next to the main lobby was remodelled and expanded to accomodate smokers. A Club House was also opened, along with an impressive gym with an outdoor wooden terrace for yoga and a walkway that crosses the arts & crafts outlets and leads to the beach. Also, the bungalows were upgraded with new fabrics and equipment, and the lobby bar and reception areas were totally renovated.
This resort’s El Portulano restaurant has updated its image to better reflect its speciality, Mediterranean cuisine. To do so, blue tones were used on the upholstery contrasting with the white furniture, and large frescoes framed in faux windows were added.
Today this resort boasts a trendier ambiance with the new lighting and furniture in the lobby as well as the remodelling of 100 rooms. Also, it has recently opened a beach bar made totally of wood, which has a terrace facing the sea. La Picúa restaurant and grill was transformed, as it now has two outdoor platforms elevated four metres above sea level.
Matamoros beach / www.travelagentscuba.com
Creole Restaurant
Bonasí Restaurant
Meliá Buenavista
Sol Cayo Santa María
Meliá Cayo Guillermo
The contemplative beach of Matamoros has been converted into a laid back, chill-out area: a walkway over the water with a gazebo, palapas with hammocks, solarium, lounge chair area and a platform with bar. This has become one of the best places to relax at sundown or to hold thematic dinners and parties at night, in a unique and appealing atmosphere created by LED lighting.
There are now 60 rooms decorated with new warm tone fabrics to create appealing spaces. The renovation’s objective was to improve and give the hotel a newer look. Months ago the hotel’s buffet restaurant, and the Los Cocos restaurant specialising in Creole cuisine have received new furniture and the layout of their different areas were enhanced.
The resort continues to revamp its look. Bonasí Italian restaurant is now air-conditioned and has been redecorated. The Compay Segundo Cigar Bar was also opened in the lobby area, with a new space devoted to Cuban cigar aficionados.
Standard room / www.travelagentscuba.com
Zen Area / www.travelagentscuba.com
Meliá Las Dunas
Meliá Cayo Coco
The addition of new fabrics and the improvements to the rooms’ furniture have enhanced guests’ comfort at this hotel, in a continuous process of improving its facilities.
For those who prefer a healthy lifestyle, the resort opened a Zen palapa in the gazebo area’s gardens and a bar with terrace by the pool that offers a beverage menu entirely based on local fruit. Also, the beach restaurant was expanded with a roofed terrace and the suites were redecorated.
Beach / www.travelagentscuba.com
Sol Cayo Guillermo A small music area was built on the resort’s beach where a variety of beats are played at a moderate volume, along with a grill that has become quite popular among guests because of its location and appealing choice of food and beverages.
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Authorisation is granted to reproduce the contents of this publication. For high resolution images and logos, visit and register on Travel Professionals: www.travelagentscuba.com All of our brochures are available in PDF format at: www.meliacuba.com www.issuu.com www.travelagentscuba.com
+25 HOTELS. 8 DESTINATIONS
Š Marketing Meliå Cuba 2015 prensa@meliacuba.com
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