Mstyle #6 by Meliá Hotels International

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S T Y L E

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EDITORIAL

elcome to a new issue of the MStyle magazine, Meliá Hotels International’s lifestyle magazine for this autumn-winter season. Via these pages we will take you – our best customers – to a whole world of experiences and unrivalled destinations, and give you our latest news and updates on our responsible commitment. In this number, we will visit some of the sensations of the season: holiday hotels such as the ME Sitges (Barcelona, Spain), part of our modern ME by Meliá brand; the suggestive Meliá Saïdia in Morocco; and the group’s revamped hotels in a pioneering destination – Torremolinos (Spain) – which are offering a new look to the holiday town par excellence on the Mediterranean coast. We like sports: Mstyle has flown to one of the best hotels in the world for surfing – the Sol House Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain)– and to Golf’s ‘Big Week’ celebrated at our magnificent Meliá Hacienda del Conde resort in Tenerife, another of the Canary Islands. We also offer an exclusive interview with Carolina Marín, Olympic badminton champion and ambassador of the Meliá brand in the Asia-Pacific region. However, in addition to being a leader for the holiday sector, the Meliá group is acquiring increasing weight in the urban hotel segment which combines leisure and lifestyle with business: the so-called “bleisure” (business+leisure) segment. This issue of MStyle features spectacular urban hotels where our guests can stay and enjoy leisure time during their business trips; the Innside New York Nomad, the star of our cover and of our Fashion feature inside, and the new Innside Hamburg, that was just inaugurated in 2017 – a visit we will take advantage of to show you what to do in the vibrant city of Hamburg. I am particularly proud to announce that this season our portfolio will be enhanced by unique hotels located in extraordinary unspoilt places in Africa and South America: the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, where we will open our first 100-per cent eco-friendly hotel, the Meliá Serengeti; and the Meliá Iguazú, in Argentina, with spectacular views of the eponymous majestic falls. And of course, regarding the hotel industry in cities, we could not leave out a trip to Barcelona, where from one hotel to the next, we will visit the city’s innumerable attractions and experience its unmistakably cultivated and carefree lifestyle that is discreet and majestic at the same time. Finally, dear guests, this MStyle autumn-winter issue will also deal with the mark that the Meliá hotel group leaves on society and the surrounding environment: on this occasion, The Observatory section analyses our investment in the rebranding and repositioning strategy that Meliá is carrying out in hotels and touristic areas – whose impact goes, as will be seen, far beyond simple business. Our feature, The Jewel, showcases the Discovery Center at the Meliá Sancti Petri (Cadiz, Spain), an innovative initiative undertaken to incorporate the GrecoRoman cultural heritage of the area. And last but not least, the Sustainability section is about an initiative we have set up in Paris to combine fashion and emerging talent with corporate social responsibility.

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11 Gabriel Escarrer Jaume Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Meliá Hotels International

THE M EL IÁ HOT EL S INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

S T Y L E MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS VICE PRESIDENT

María Umbert GLOBAL BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETING VICE PRESIDENT

Anthony Cortizas CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Ana Rubio CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Gracia Vasco, Nerea Valencia PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Pepa Olmedo CORPORATE BRAND & MARKETING SERVICES DIRECTOR

Enric D’Abadal CORPORATE BRAND & MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER

Mario Tirado GLOBAL PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED BY EDICIONES CONDÉ-NAST S.A. ART & DESIGN DIRECTOR

Vital R. García Tardón EDITORIAL OFFICE

Rosa Marqués (DEPUTY EDITOR) Andrés Acosta (FASHION EDITOR) CONTRIBUTORS

Alex del Río, Olga Moreno, Félix Lorenzo, Cristobal Prado, Juan Carlos Toro. FEATURE WRITERS: Arantxa Neyra, José María de Pablo, Vicky Vilches, Victor Riverola, Noelia Ferreiro, Yvonne Solé, Álvaro Anglada. ILLUSTRATORS: Jaime Martínez, Jorge Arranz. TRANSLATOR: Paloma Gil. COPY EDITOR: Monique Fuller. PHOTOGRAPHERS:

RESEARCH

Reyes Domínguez (DIRECTOR) Cristina Verd, Eva Vergarachea.

PHOTO: ALEX DEL RIO.

PRODUCTION

Rosana Vicente, Fernando Bohúa, Juan Ignacio Bocos. PRINTING: Rotocobrhi y AGS. BINDING: Felipe Méndez. CATALOGUE No. M-17889-2015 Ediciones Condé Nast S.A. is in no way responsible for any opinion expressed in the features as these are the sole responsibility of their respective authors.

Detail of the sculpture of a dog in pink porcelain in the lobby of the Innside New York Nomad hotel.

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MASTERPIECES ARE NOT BORN IN THE COMFORT ZONE

THE M EL IÁ HOT EL S INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

N O . 6 A U T U M N / WIN T E R 2 0 1 7

CONTENTS

S T Y L E 58

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Have fun skiing at these two hotels that

COVER PHOTO: Top model Clara Alonso at the Terrace of the Innside New York Nomad hotel wearing a dinner suit by Dsquared2, and jewellery by Rabat. Photography: Alex del Río Styling: Andrés Acosta Makeup: Jamie Dorman Hair: Juan Vigoya

are perfect for an all-family holiday.

SUNNY DAYS

The latest news from the Meliá Hotels

rejuvenation of Torremolinos.

International group.

150

THE BEST PLACE

SO COOL

IN THE FIRST PERSON

Doctor Barraquer, an ophthalmologist who is committed to universal health.

OUR PARTNERS

Palma de Mallorca celebrates the opening

An interview with Olympic champion

of the new Innside Palma Bosque.

Carolina Marín who has many followers in Asia; she is now an Ambassador

FASHION

Clara Alonso, our beautiful guide, at

Eyewear and perfume – a winning pair.

THE GOOD LIFE

The Meliá Costa del Sol hotel leads the

80 16

149

for the Meliá group.

the Innside New York Nomad hotel.

154

Photographs of a city that never sleeps.

Imagine being able to combine sport

A CONCEPT OF FITNESS

and technology and training THE OBSERVATORY

An in-depth analysis of a key strategy for the Meliá group: rebranding.

108

NEW DESTINATION

when on a business trip. We tell you how to do it and where.

156

A PASSION FOR GOLF

The “Big Week” of Golf in

The opening of the new Meliá Shanghai

Tenerife: an annual golf event in

We interview one of the greats in the

Hongqiao and the information you need

the Canary Islands.

world of art, Konrad Bernheimer.

for getting around this vibrant city.

118

ART

THE JEWEL

IN THE CITY

The Discovery Center, an extraordinary

A look at the Meliá group’s best hotels

place at the Meliá Sancti Petri hotel.

in Barcelona.

128

SURFING

TRENDY

158

SUSTAINABILITY

Meliá Hotels in Paris partner with a fashion school to develop young talent.

160

AWARDS

A look at the latest awards that

The Sol Beach House Fuerteventura

Two heavenly places on the Moroccan

recognise the path this Group (Meliá

hotel, in the Canary Islands.

coast are the stars of this section.

Hotels International) has taken.

140

162

BLEISURE

FUN DESTINATION

NEXT DESTINATION

Make the most of your business trip to

The ME Sitges Terramar, the most

Meliá Melaka resort, a dream in a city

Hamburg at the Innside Hamburg.

exclusive place to stay near Barcelona.

declared a World Heritage Site.

“The classic hotel principle that the word NO does not exist, is here taken to the extreme: no space has any specific fixed function. If our guests tell us that they want to have lunch here, or take whatever to their room, that is no problem whatsoever.” David Giménez Costa, Guest Experience Manager at the Innside Palma Bosque (Page 76)

SO COOL

WOMAN

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MAN

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IN THE FIRST PERSON

A LIFE PROJECT As a member of one of the most prestigious dynasty in ophthalmology, I fell in love with my profession watching my grandfather and my father enjoying their work. As I child, I learned that taking care of people could make you happy. That was the seed of what has become my goal in life and my passion: To work towards eliminating reversible blindness due to cataracts. For those of you not familiar with medicine, cataracts are the main cause of blindness in the world. For people living in developed countries, a relatively simple operation can restore the gift of sight. But in the rest of the world, the lack of technology, knowledge and opportunities,

PHOTO: PERE LARRÈGULA.

added to poor socio-economic conditions, make a cataract extraction a procedure prohibitive to most of the population. I graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1977. Then, I developed my professional career in the United States. The opportunity to learn research in Maryland took me to the country that became my home for more than 11 years. After two years working at the National Institute of Health, and two more learning eye pathology at the Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Elena Barraquer: Her smile, her eyes, her words. And, above all, her actions have turned Elena Barraquer into a symbol of what can be achieved with resolve, generosity and talent. This universal ophthalmologist, member of a worldwide-recognised dynasty, faces her most ambitious project: the Elena Barraquer Foundation, which starts with enthusiasm and hope. A great project for a great woman.

Hopkins Medical Institutions), I validated my Spanish medical degree and specialised in ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Harvard Medical School). To conclude my time in the USA, I worked for 2 years as a cornea fellow at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. In 1989, I married an Italian ophthalmologist and moved to Turin, where I practiced ophthalmology at the Bosio Barraquer Associated Medical Studio. In 2002, I returned to Barcelona and continued developing my career. In 1979, while training at the NIH, I was asked to join a team of ophthalmologists travelling on a humanitarian mission to Haiti. That experience opened my eyes and made me realise how many people I could help by simply doing what I know. After that trip and during my 13 years as CEO of the Barraquer Foundation I lead many medical expeditions encouraged by the happiness of all the patients who regain their sight and observing the impact of their recovery extending to all the members of their families. My latest project, the Elena Barraquer Foundation, was created in June 2017 to expand this line of cooperation. I am planning to continue, for as long as my age and health will allow me, doing what I like best, travelling as often as possible to anywhere in the planet where there are people in need of cataract extractions. But my dream is to become the platform for other ophthalmologists willing to donate part of their time to charity work, giving them the necessary tools to become part of my dream and help me fight this reversible blindness. The Elena Barraquer Foundation is without a doubt my most ambitious project. It is a unique and pioneering initiative in Spain, a direct result of the enthusiastic and enterprising spirit that characterises me. I have often said: "If all the ophthalmologists in the world would give just a week of their time to those in

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need, the problem of avoidable blindness would be solved.” Now I am offering the means to do it.

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ART

KONRAD BERNHEIMER

“Instilling taste means creating hierarchies of taste” Talking about art is always a pleasure, opening a door to knowledge; but conversing about art with certain people is a true privilege – a unique, vital experience. The conversation of four or five world experts can immediately immerse you into art, not only because of their knowledge, but also for their experiences in this evocative field where humankind opens up to transcendence: proof that pleasure and spirit are absolutely compatible. One of these very rare people, in the world of art in particular, is Konrad Bernheimer.

ernheimer belongs to the fourth generation

of one of the world’s most prestigious and successful dynasties of art dealers. Chairman of the Fine Arts Section at the “grand dame” of art fairs, TEFAF Maastricht, he has been a member of its Board for 20 years; he is also on the TEFAF New York Committee; and, of course, is the Chairman and owner of Bernheimer Fine Old Masters, and owner of Colnaghi – the former, founded in 1760, is one of the world’s most important art galleries, and the oldest. Colnaghi has sold works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer – miracles do exist – Goya, Velázquez… to the Louvre, the MET, the Prado, and the most prestigious private collections, such as New York’s Frick Collection. We had this conversation on art at 26, Bury Street, the headquarters of the Colnaghi gallery in London. Carmen: TEFAF is the only art fair that still gives me butterflies when I visit it and I am not the only one. From what I hear and see, when it comes to the sale of exceptional artworks, galleries do over 30 % of their business at art fairs and these are on the rise the world over. But, thinking about it logically, which is necessary when it comes to art, I wonder if so many new fairs… Konrad: It’s good news, Carmen, good news. The fact

Text: CARMEN REVIRIEGO. President of Callia and the Ibero-American Prizes for Patronage of the Arts STYLE

Photos: ROBERT CHADWICK

that not only you get butterflies is part of the essence of TEFAF. Allow me to be a little passionate and bold enough to contradict you… Carmen: What a way to start an interview! He laughs spontaneously. Konrad has politeness and poise in his blood; a cultivated man with panache. For him, good manners also means being amusing and living life in an absolutely personal way. Born in 1950

a connection… Her passion proved to be visionary as many of the pieces would be impossible to acquire today. Konrad: Passion is very important. However, there are other things if you broaden the spectrum: social prestige and social connections. When you become a collector, you enter a different world, the world of art. You make friends who open up new worlds and connect you with museums, with other collectors, with the market. Think of that first generation of American collectors – when Colnaghi got its big break – between 1880 and 1930… people like Isabella Stewart Garden, like the Mellons. Frick did not have the reputation he had until he put together his collection, and suddenly, he was in the spotlight of New York’s society. Carmen: Nothing is more appealing for a collector than talking about art with another collector. Konrad: It goes beyond that: they even change their schedules – in March they are in Maastricht, in June in Basel, in October in NY… You start by adapting your schedule to the events of the art market. Something that is very common in the contemporary art market is the idea of acquiring work as an investment. Most think, “If I buy this today, it will be worth so much in several years’ time.” Carmen: Of course… Tell me about an example when you did something like that. Konrad: Let’s see, it’s better if I tell you about something I didn’t do. In the 80s I was offered a picture of a woman by an unknown painter – and it looked like a photograph. My wife said we should buy it; it cost 17,000 German Marks, but I said we weren’t going to buy a picture by

in Venezuela, he is the son of Kurt Bernheimer, a Jew of German ancestry, and of Mercedes Uzcátegui, a Catholic from a prominent Venezuelan family. The Bernheimers escaped Nazi persecution and, after the war, Konrad returned to Germany following in his family’s footsteps. Konrad: …There are not so many fairs. I mean, there are many fairs, but very few are really good. Some fairs are good and prestigious like Art Basel, Frieze and FIAC – but they are contemporary art fairs. TEFAF is the only one that offers art from every period. Carmen: In your opinion, what drives someone to become a collector? I think there are many reasons, but I’ve always found that true collections, those that endure over time, are those of people who followed a passion and ran the risk of making mistakes. For instance, Patty Phelps de Cisneros who had a passion for purchasing works by Latin American artists with whom she felt

“

When you become a collector, you enter a different world, the world of art. You make friends who open up new worlds and connect you with museums, with other collectors, with the market.

”

anybody for that price. Well, the work was by Gerhard Richter. Today, that picture would be worth millions… Carmen: A Richter for 17,000 Marks! According to the TEFAF annual report regarding the art market, among the drives to become a collector, “the first is emotional”, the second is social prestige, and the third is investment. Art has many attributes. Konrad: With regard to risk, being informed is hugely important. Had I had known who Richter was, I might have bought that picture. For instance, you visit the Prado Museum and see a picture you like a lot. You start researching who the painter is – perhaps the artist still has work on the market, like Clara Peeters, whose still lifes occasionally appear. Passion must first be awakened

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“

by looking, looking, and looking some more until you discover what you like. Carmen: Most contemporary collectors tend to get carried away, sometimes with very bad results – but sometimes with very good ones. Konrad: You must also keep a limit in mind. I am astonished by the prices of the contemporary art market. Take Jeff Koons. But look at what he himself collects… 17th-century paintings. The same with Baselitz: 17thcentury painting and 19th-century drawings. And then they paint in a different style and make lots of money – but with that money, they buy a Caspar David Friedrich for a much lower price than what their own works fetch. Carmen: I am often asked what makes a talented artist succeed and my answer is always the same: their work must be in the right place at the right time, and be bought by the right person. Konrad: When someone buys a picture from me, I want

At TEFAF, we have a Vetting Committee that is among the world’s most important. Over 200 experts examine every picture at each stand, all specialised in a country or area of art.

”

works of that kind on the market: there are none left. Carmen: Imagine I am a client who comes to you. What would you recommend? Konrad: Never buy a low-quality picture by a wellknown artist, but a very high-quality one by a lesserknown painter. Carmen: Let’s take Rubens as an example. Konrad: There are many works by this very prolific artist. Yet you must be very careful; when he was famous he had a huge studio meaning that in the making of many of his works, not only was the hand of Rubens involved; therein lies the problem. Sometimes Rubens is not actually Rubens because he had a workshop and much help; the great worth of artists like him resides in their masterworks. This is the case with Goya, with El Greco… With all the big names; you must be very careful about what you are buying. You need much expertise that is provided by dealers, but not by auction houses. It’s easier with

it to be because they like it and want to live with it – not

contemporary art: you don’t have the workshop problem;

because they are thinking of making money. Besides, I

everybody knows that Hirst or Koons come up with the

am certain of the works in which I specialise – the 15th,

idea, but then their “factories” do the work; artists don’t

16th and 17th centuries: I am sure that if now they are

make the work that emerges from their studios. Just like

worth so much, in 100 years (even though I won’t see it),

the exhibition by Hirst in Venice at the Pinault Museum

they will still be worth the same, or more. If today you

– a number of giant sculptures: sure, he had the idea and

spent a fortune on a picture by Basquiat, Hirst or Richter,

created the designs, but his studio did the work.

who can say whether that work, today worth 50 million,

Carmen: I agree with you that it’s better to buy a

will have the same or a higher value in 100 years time? In

good work by a lesser-known artist than a poor-quality

contrast, with a Rembrandt, you know you cannot find

piece by a great artist. In 2016, sales of works by Picasso dropped, and the reason is that no exceptional work of his has come onto the market. Collectors preferred to acquire exceptional works by Léger, Chagall, and other lesser known artists. Konrad: If you were a client who came to me, I would tell you to buy using your eyes, not your ears. Carmen: Sorry? I didn’t get that. Konrad: A prominent American collector rang me up years ago to say that a very important Rubens was about to be sold at Christie’s and he wanted me to go and see it. I said that it was a fantastic work and, if he wanted to spend that money, he should buy it. Shortly before the auction, as always happens, people started to say that it was not in such good condition, etc. My duty was to call my client and tell him that, although I still thought the

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work was magnificent, some people were not so sure. He replied: “I’ve never bought using my ears, I buy using my eyes. If you are convinced, go for it.” Carmen: What a wonderful client! Konrad: Deciding on a purchase using your ears is what we often see in contemporary art collecting: people buy

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example is the collection of the Pinakothek in Munich which sold paintings that were disliked by politicians in the 30s and 40s. A Raphael was sold because they didn’t like it. It might have been a portrait of a homosexual friend, for instance… Anyway, they didn’t like it. Today it is the great self-portrait by Raphael at the National Gallery in Washington. The Pinakothek had about 60 pictures by Brueghel because a Bavarian archduke loved the artist. But back then, they thought that he wasn’t such a good Flemish artist and they sold them to buy works by German artists… only a “brand” – not works by artists, but brands. They buy a Koons as if they were buying an Hermès wallet. That’s why there are so many Russians who haven’t a clue, but they buy one Picasso after another… Carmen: This also happens in corporative collections: there is much homogeneity in contemporary art

the most rigorous committee to decide what works will be eligible to be sold at the fair. With regard to forgeries and attributions, what are TEFAF’s procedures? Konrad: There’s a big difference between a “fake” and an attribution. There are very few cases when a forgery

make mistakes, but because of that notion of the brand-

has been discovered, but attribution is very important:

artist. It’s about not looking, and has nothing to do with

a work might have been painted by Cranach the Elder,

having a degree in art. You must train your eye to make

or by Cranach the Younger, or by Cranach together with

your own judgement.

his studio, just like with Rubens: it might be a work he painted or perhaps his studio was involved.

you actually like. My trick when someone comes and

Carmen: But in practice, what does the process consist of?

tells me they want to start a collection is to take them to

Konrad: At TEFAF, we have a Vetting Committee which

a museum. I walk with them for an hour in rooms that

is among the world’s most important. Over 200 experts

display affordable works of art, those are still found on

examine every picture at each stand, all specialised in a

the market, and I suddenly exclaim, “Very well, now

country or an area of art. For two days – the art gallery

tell me what you’d like to collect and why. I make them

owners are not present – they study the paintings

choose: regardless of the fact that they like everything,

thoroughly. It works very well, affording the buyer total

they need to begin with something. So, little by little, I’ve

certainty. This committee is at the heart of TEFAF’s prestige.

been able to start a number of collections. For me, this is also a good exercise as I have to defend the works and help; for instance, warning about pieces I know will never

Carmen: Is the same process carried out at TEFAF’s modern and contemporary art section? Konrad: At TEFAF, our modern and contemporary art

come onto the market. [He stops to think for a second…]

sector is always much more rigorous than at Basel or

Instilling taste means creating hierarchies of taste. No

Frieze because our selection standards are the same as

matter how much you want a Vermeer, you won’t find

for antique art. When choosing between a Basquiat and

it. Besides, great masters also have their good and bad

a Cranach, you are deciding which one will be a member

moments: not all pictures by Goya are magnificent.

of your family.

Carmen: There’s something I find fascinating, and it’s how our way of looking at paintings changes over time… Konrad: Yes, taste changes over time. For instance,

Carmen: There is a whole series of aspects to bear in mind when acquiring a work. TEFAF for instance, has

collections. I don’t believe it’s because they don’t want to

Konrad: When you are starting, you don’t know what

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Above, Carmen Reviriego talks with art and antiques collector Konrad Bernheimer.

Carmen: As the price tag goes up for works, collectors consider other criteria for assessing their acquisitions. Konrad: Yet there is a difference. Some Old Masters

taste changes for political reasons, and these are very

have already passed the test of time: Goya, Rubens,

important changes that influence a collection. An

Picasso… But Basquiat has not. Baselitz, Koons… of course they haven’t. It’s probably not something they seek. Koons is a master of marketing. The moment that Koons’s works were installed at Versailles or Punta della Dogana, he no doubt felt enormously proud… and it suits him wonderfully in terms of marketing. We must

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Make time for tea with the Lipton pyramid experience.

differentiate between an artist par excellence and one who is a marketing genius. Carmen: What importance do you attach to a catalogue raisonné? Konrad: A catalogue raisonné is very important. For instance, if we have a work by Pompeo Batoni, the first thing we’d do is look him up in the catalogue raisonné. If he’s not there, we have to do more in-depth research. Conversely, sometimes the work is indeed in the catalogue raisonné, but all the other experts don’t accept the work. It is a fascinating world: sometimes, art consists of looking for the point where the ice is thickest as you walk across a frozen lake. Carmen: Another complex topic is restoration. When it should be done… and when not. Techniques have actually advanced greatly today. Seeing a “naked” work, without all the oxidised coats of varnish that have yellowed and darkened it over the years is very exciting: it’s seeing it exactly as the artist did when they painted it. Konrad: At this point, let’s stop and think. I would accept a restoration when it makes aspects of the work that were hidden visible. However, when the damage is so great that the work has to be reconstructed, then I’d say no, because you wouldn’t have the original work, but a reconstruction. When acquiring a picture, this aspect must be considered – should the varnish be eliminated, or should lost details be reconstructed to have a complete painting. Carmen: Your opinion… Konrad: It’s very difficult. First, you must find a truly reliable restorer and always be in touch with them. I always go to the studios when they are working on paintings owned by the gallery and we always take the first steps together. Removing the varnish very carefully just to see what’s under it, to see whether you have reached the pictorial layer with the cotton or if you are still on the layer of varnish. It’s a very fine line, so the process is rather complicated. You can even see the drawing under the painting, see how the master began

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“

“It is a fascinating world: sometimes, art consists of looking for the point where ice is thickest as you walk across a frozen lake.”

”

has already been done. Here is where you fall in love: you are before the picture, knowing that it will be a part of your family, there will be a long relationship between you both. One of the most fascinating moments is when you are at a collector’s home and they take you from one picture to another telling you where they bought it, why, from what dealer, at what time in their life. Take Mr. Frick… An incredible collection of English portraits hangs in his library: Gainsborough, Reynolds… And right in the centre of it, above the fireplace, is his own portrait: he wanted to see himself on the same level as the others. In the sensitivity of this “gentleman of the world”

to create the painting; very often they began with a

there is something inherited from his mother Mercedes

drawing and then painted over it. You can see how the

Uzcátegui, echoes of Latin America, Spain and the

real thing emerges – feel really close to the 17th-century

Basque Country that I associate with the family chapel in

master: you can see their hand, their doubts… As you

Rubio, Venezuela, the place that welcomed them at the

said; it’s the most exciting stage. Collectors usually see

foothills of the Andes, where the family arrived in the

works at exhibitions, fairs and galleries, when the work

17th century… Humble but solid, on the keystone of the chapel’s arch is a cross – it is a Jewish family – and above it, a tower with a dome reminiscent of Germany. Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe that this encounter between a Bernheimer and an Uzcátegui is part of the secret of a unique sensitivity.

Light is life.

Voiles by Céline Wright

LEDS-C4, S.A | Afores sn, 25750 Torà | Lleida | Spain groklighting.com

THE JEWEL

HOTEL MELIÁ SANCTI PETRI

LOTS OF

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HISTORY TO TELL

Eighty and eighteen by John William Godward (1898).

Since its recent inauguration, Discovery Center has become one of the favourite spaces for guests at the Meliá Sancti Petri hotel – located by a virtually unspoilt beach in Cádiz. Enjoy a drink here while delving into the mythology of one of Antiquity’s most famous temples.

Text: ROSA MARQUÉS

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t is aperitif time, one of the day’s quietest

the recently inaugurated hotel. A project designed and

moments. Sundown, a shower and now, looking more

overseen by Álvaro Sans, Meliá Hotels International’s

relaxed and elegant, you are ready for an aperitif at the

architect, inspired by his trips around the world which is

Don Fernando Lounge, the new bar at the Meliá Sancti

today a pioneering centre: it is the first information centre

Petri hotel, in Cádiz.

inside a hotel, “an idea that can be exported to other hotels

This bar has been the meeting point of some of the

in the group”, the architect points out.

hotel’s regular customers since it opened almost two

I see that the hotel staff (who have learnt all about the

decades ago, but new faces also join every year. I observe

subject) have already talked with interest of the temple

that the bar ritual is the same for everyone: they ask for

to these customers who today are going up the spiral

a drink at the bar and, out of sheer curiosity, go up the

staircase from the bar – many of them accompanied by

spiral staircase to the floor above the bar (a space with

the staff themselves, who double as guides.

access for the disabled) known as Discovery Center: a

Once on the upper floor, a look of interest soon appears

sort of information centre for both the destination and

on their faces. These guests, tourists who are increasingly interested in the destination’s culture (that also includes gastronomy and ecology) begin to read, astonished, all the panels they come across. Most of them, despite being loyal customers, did not have the faintest idea that the area they tread today – Sancti Petri – was of Antiquity’s best-known oracles. And while they enjoy their drinks, they learn of the ancient history of Gadir, now known as Cádiz, and discover that the famous sanctuary of Melkart

PHOTOS: JUAN CARLOS TORO.

– which the Greek identified with Hercules – was built

on the island of Sancti Petri. These testimonies appear in countless writings dating back to Antiquity (all listed at the Discovery Center). One of them, by Strabo (1st century BC) stressed in his work Geography that said the temple was founded at the time of the Trojan War: which was in the 12th century BC! Guests are surprised by this, as they suddenly evoke the mythological traveller who trod these very same wonderful beaches (not for golfing or sunbathing though). STYLE

Then came Hannibal Barca (Carthage 247 BC - Bithynia 183 BC) before starting his conquest of Rome, as well as Julius Caesar (Rome, 100 BC - 44 BC) who travelled here twice… This is how guests become hooked on the history of Sancti Petri, of Chiclana (the area’s biggest town) and of old Gadir… and want to know more and more.

Above, the Discovery Center recreates the historical and mythological wealth of the Sancti Petri Castle, under which was once the Hercules Temple. Below, the themed library that, together with reproductions of objects found on the Island of Sancti Petri, and the travelling art exhibitions, make up the bulk of this space. Opposite, Don Fernando restaurantbar, whose spiral staircase leads to the Discovery Center.

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AN INTERESTED TRAVELLER Highlighting the importance that the Sancti Petri area has had in the Mediterranean for 2,000 years, but also explaining to guests what lies behind the architecture of the building they are staying in, who its owners were, the specific climate of the regions of Cádiz, the gastronomy and the ecology of the area was the brilliant idea of the Meliá Hotles International's architect Álvaro Sans when the hotel’s refurbishment left a new and empty circular space over the new bar. “It was like a circular balcony overlooking the bar, a perfect shape for a museum,” remarks Sans, who has visited information centres of this kind in different places, but never inside a hotel. For a year, and with the support of the Meliá group’s President and the hotel’s General Manager Alberto Lalinde, he researched, compiled data and refined the project,

Lebanon). With the expansion of the Phoenician empire,

contacting institutions, including Cádiz’s Archaeological

Melkart became a god in all of its colonies – a marine god

Museum which has created several reproductions of coins

who protected sailors and his name meant “King of the

and other items found at the Melkart Temple… All in

Town”. At the end of the second millennium, they left

order to bring together true and tried information in this

Tyre for Tartessus, an emerging culture in the south of the

space so that, according Sans: “Those who want to spend

Iberian Peninsula. It was an expedition whose aim was to

an afternoon forgetting about the sun and enjoy a bit of

mine the raw materials found there, particularly silver.

studying can do so in a beautiful and well-lit space.”

Below, Sancti Petri Castle, on the island of the same name in Chiclana, Cádiz. Under this castle was the legendary Temple of Hercules – or the Phoenician god Melkart.

That was how the Phoenicians founded the enclave

The Discovery Center is “designed for guests who really

of Gadir and built a temple devoted to Melkart on the

like reading and can forgo the sun to enjoy a good book,”

island of Sancti Petri which, just like the original temple

explains Alberto Lalinde, the hotel’s General Manager: “On

in Tyre, had two huge columns flanking its entrance.

really hot days, they can now take refuge among the books

Apparently, the Phoenicians associated the two big

at the centre’s interesting Library”, immersing themselves

crags at the mouth of the Mediterranean (Gibraltar and

in “history and a mythology that leaves guests astonished”

Monte Musa) with the Columns of Melkart. According to

and which, he admits, have even surprised him.

Strabo in his Geography, the Temple’s priests looked after the flames of the eternal fire so that it would never be

FROM MELKART TO HERCULES

extinguished. According to Pomponius Mela, not only the

The name of the Columns of Melkart was coined by the

remains of Hercules were buried there, but so were other

Phoenicians. Melkart was a god of agriculture and fertility

mythological relics such as the Belt of Teucer and the Tree

in their city, Tyre (a World Heritage Site in what today is

of Pygmalion. The Greeks simply assimilated Melkart as their god Heracles and called the place the Columns of Heracles. For them, these columns signalled the end of the world. According to Greek mythology, Hercules opened the passage from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean – as it did not exist before – by breaking apart two hills: from there onwards, there was nothing (non plus ultra, in Latin). Today, this image is part of countless coats of arms,

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including that of Andalusia.

THE HOTEL AND THE TOWN Located in the 4,000-hectare development between the beach and the pine trees known as Novo Sancti Petri, the Meliá hotel – about to turn twenty – has become a true icon in the area. Its commitment to quality tourism has been continuous over the years. The creation of this “cultural space with an exhibition and library area as well an information centre is the epitome of excellence for a great hotel like this”, comments the Mayor of Chiclana, José María Román, who adds that its having accurate replicas

THE NAME OF SANCTI PETRI

of items found at the Temple of Melkart also encourages tourists, who are attracted

According to the writings of friar Geronimo de la

by the compelling history to visit the town’s Museum”.

Concepción, once the expansion of Christianity had been

In addition, the “space devoted to Chiclana’s wines also encourages guests to

consolidated – in approximately the 4th century – there

experience the town’s wineries at the recently inaugurated Wine and Salt information

was a tradition to give Christian names to Antiquity’s

centre, next to the food market and the tourism office in the town centre.

great sanctuaries. Hence, the Temple of Hercules, where the ashes of the half-god were supposed to be buried, was renamed as the island of Sancti Petri after Saint Peter. Legend links the Apostle Saint James to the island as a way of rooting out pagan cult at the temple, and consecrated it to the first Apostle. They say that inside this temple Hannibal – as a boy and before his father, Hamilcar Barca – swore eternal hatred to Rome. Later, he returned there to offer sacrifices to the gods before undertaking his conquest of Italy. Later, it was Julius Caesar who, aged 30, stood before the statue of Alexander the Great that was there, regretting he had not achieved the deeds of the Macedonian conqueror. Years later, in 45 BC, he returned to the Temple of Hercules after the battle of Munda. Centuries later, on the Phoenician ruins of the Temple of Hercules, the Christians built the Sancti Petri lighthouse and castle (13th century). But coastal erosion, the fact that its cut stones were quarried, and never-ending destructive attacks destroyed the temple’s splendour from the time of the Visigoth invasion. An interesting contemporary fact is that here, in Sancti Petri, the composer Manuel de Falla composed Atlántida, a work to which he devoted the last 20 years of his life.

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35 From top to bottom, view of the hotel and the golf course by the beach; reception area and lobby, and below, the swimming pool at this hotel that is about to turn 20 years old.

SURF

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SOL BEACH HOUSE FUERTEVENTURA

Brought by

THE WIND

The Sol Beach House Fuerteventura, by the Sotavento Beach, is the perfect hotel for travellers who spend their holidays stuck to their boards and their kites. A seafront hotel, associated to the biggest windsurfing school on the planet – René Egli – and designed for guests whose only concern is to jump into the sea straight from their beds. Text: ARANTXA NEYRA Photos: ALEX DEL RIO

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esert-like, isolated, wild; wearing only a

very last drop, there is the Sol Beach House Fuerteventura

gown of wind and sea: this is Fuerteventura, the most arid

hotel, overlooking Sotavento Beach in the Jandía Nature

of all the Canary Islands. The wind envelops it and blows

Reserve. This is the perfect accommodation not only

the windsurfing kites and sails while the waves break on

because its rooms look out over the sea and an impressive

the island’s endless beaches of pale sand: a total of 150

lagoon that swells with the tide; not just because your hair

kilometres that led to Fuerteventura being dubbed (by the

goes wavy and your skin bronzed in no time at all during

locals themselves) “The Beach of the Canary Islands”. And

any month of the year, or because its restaurant serves

that’s saying something.

amazingly fresh fish. But also, and above all, because

For those who enjoy these beaches, their water, their

there is no better place to enjoy sailing and windsurfing

waves; who dream of getting the most out of them, the

than this little spot in Fuerteventura (remember it, The Beach of the Canary Islands), one of the best locations for wind sports on the planet, and associated to the biggest surfing school in the world: René Egli. Specifically targeted for sportspeople, this “adults-only” hotel only admits guests over the age of 16 (and their pets)

Spread on the previous page, the waves on Fuerteventura Island are internationally acclaimed for their quality. Left, different surfing moments. If you want to learn, the Sol House Fuerteventura Surf has the biggest wind and kitesurfing school in the world: RenĂŠ Egli.

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and ensures very active and cool holidays. Sometimes,

and water temperature. That was largely thanks to René

your stay may coincide with international championships

Egli who arrived here in 1982 and realised that this was

held right on the beach.

“the” place and, as any good Swiss would do, he got the ball rolling.

A VISIONARY SWISS

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Since then, the Championship has become a tradition,

This idyllic hotel offering wind sports is not new. It has

and has now been going for 32 years in a row, just in

been here since the 80s when Fuerteventura started to

front of the hotel. In addition, the family has grown since

gain recognition as a sailing destination after the World

2001, and now the island and Sotavento Beach are also

Windsurfing Championship was held there in 1986,

home to a kiteboarding competition at the Fuerteventura

opening the eyes of the world to the island’s amazing

Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship, organised

conditions: its all-year-round wind statistics and ambient

by René Egli and Meliá Hotels and supported by public organisations. The competition includes Free Style, Slalom Grand Slam (the star event) and Strapless Freestyle Kitesurfing, one of the most novel and attractive events in this competition that draws the best riders in the world. In the daytime, there are qualifying events and exciting finals,

Above, the hotel is located right by the Barca Beach, in the Jandía Nature Reserve. Below, the hotel’s rooms – large, fresh and bright, with views of the sea or with a private garden as well.

stalls selling local food, television teams and viewers from

themselves be carried away by the wind. Some of them

all over the world; at night, DJs and live performances,

repeat the trip every year, and others even come several

and the now iconic parties at “La Carpa” (The Marquee).

times, many keeping their equipment here so they can enjoy a getaway at the drop of a hat.

THE SEA, AT YOUR DOOR

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Without going anywhere. Without leaving the hotel,

This happens just for a few days a year; the other days,

they can take lessons for any level (the lagoon is perfect

in the same waters flown over and navigated by these

for beginners), practice, improve, or simply have fun; the

professionals, we mortals can also enjoy these sports (each

René Egli school has more than 70 instructors, its own

at our own pace). Especially those who, once they have

sea safety team, the latest technology and the best sports

taken off their suits and ties, or left their high-heels in a

equipment for hire and/or for sale.

corner, enjoy their holidays in a swimsuit, barefoot, letting

A VERY “WELL-TONED” HOTEL But it is not only the sports side that dances to the beat of the windsurfing and kitesurfing: everything at the Sol Beach House Fuerteventura hotel is somehow linked to sailing and kitesurfing, in and out of the sea: its laidback

Above, aerial view of the hotel and the swimming pool and beach area. Below, a detail of the swimming pool with views of the lagoon and an activities programme for balancing body and soul. Right, the hotel restaurants serve a mix of Mediterranean cuisine and Canary Island specialties.

Right, searching for the waves on the island, declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. Below, traditionally made Betancuria smoked goat’s cheese; and a view of a surviving mill, witness of the island’s agricultural past.

OUT OF THE WATER While at the hotel, thanks to its location and its views, one feels isolated from the rest of the world, but in fact, only a few kilometres away there are endless leisure plans you can enjoy. The Costa Calma tourist resort offers various options, and the first astronomical natural observation point on the island – that of Sicasumbre – is only 4 kilometres away; the charming little fishing village, Morrojable, is15 kilometres away.You can also enjoy local food close by: Majorera goat’s cheeses, fish and seafood from the island, and goat and kid are all served at nearby venues such as La Pared, Cofete, Ajuy, Gran Tarajal and Betancuria.

interior design, its relaxed lifestyle and casual atmosphere;

the lagoon or the subtropical garden (a stunningly lush

its programme of activities, and of course the hotel’s food.

garden with native plants and, of course, hundreds of

A day by the sea should start with a good breakfast.

cacti) – a sort of watchtower to watch the dawn each

And so, at the buffet, with the sea already greeting you

morning and prepare the day’s plans. Large, bright,

through the window, you can find all kinds of food, fruit,

decorated with organic wood, painted white and with a

detox juices, breads and cakes, cold cuts and several hot

Mediterranean feel, there are also touches of vintage and

dishes, including organic produce and several options for

textile prints designed by the “Desigual” brand to give the

coeliacs, vegetarians and vegans. In the evening, delicious

rooms the same fresh, fun air that is in keeping with the

Mediterranean and Canary-Island food is prepared in the

holiday spirit of relaxing and recharging your batteries.

open kitchen, as are specialities from other places. STYLE

All rooms have a small balcony with views of the sea,

This is the purpose of holidays at the Sol Beach House Fuerteventura. However, it is not a passive type of relaxation but an active one – one which includes an exercise routine in the sea that can be complemented by a number of activities suggested by the hotel: from massages to yoga and pilates classes, and also Feng Shui and Body & Sol.

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BLEISURE

Hamburg

THE CITY OF THE FUTURE Ideal for travellers wanting to combine business and pleasure, we discover why the Innside Hafen is the hotel that best reflects the spirit of this big German city and the epicentre of innovation and technology. Text: NOELIA FERREIRO Photos: ALEX DEL RIO

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he city of the future, one that provides housing,

work and leisure within its urban space; which erects ultramodern buildings overlooking parks, squares and promenades; which heralds, thanks to an effective network of public transport and efficient use of green energies, a much more practical and sustainable existence, has become a reality in Hamburg. Modern, creative and stylish, Germany’s second biggest city is not only a beautiful exponent of the latest architectural trends but also a laboratory of ideas from where the winds of 21stcentury city life blow. Hamburg is the grand dame of the German north, a city with a strong personality (in fact, Chancellor Angela Merkel was born here), proud of its Hanseatic past and with a keen nose for business. A city whose massive port on the Elbe River has led it to be called the Gateway to the World – it is the second largest port in Europe after Rotterdam’s, and is filled with ships from all five continents. This is a fact that its inhabitants boast with some pride – the same pride they use to cultivate their eternal (but healthy) rivalry with Berlin to become the most beautiful, dynamic and interesting big city in Germany. And it may be so. Because it is true that Hamburg’s historical connection with the outside world, along with the mercantile glory that it enjoyed in the past, has provided it with a very open, cosmopolitan and liberal frame of mind that today makes this city an embodiment of the latest urban trends. Hamburg, without forgoing its taste for historical tradition, exceptional monuments, and the rich cultural heritage of its museums, is pure postmodern asphalt, a veritable focal point for innovation and technology. It is thus a made-to-measure city for contemporary travellers: those who are attracted by its

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Spread on the previous page, the port of Hamburg with the Speicherstadt (literally, “City of Warehouses”) that flanks the canals is a World Heritage Site. Above right, façade of the recently inaugurated INNSIDE Hamburg Hafen by the canal. Below, the reception area for the hotel’s bike-hire service.

business activity, but who also take the opportunity to discover a destination with countless other possibilities. If there is a place where this idea has coalesced, it is in HafenCity – Hamburg’s ambitious idea; a city within the city that constitutes the largest town-planning project in the north of Europe. Between the port and the old warehouses, this avant-garde district, unlike others, concentrates buildings, offices, universities, parks, shops, restaurants, hotels, pedestrian boulevards and spaces for leisure and culture, all of them designed by prestigious architects.

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Hamburg also houses one of the most important architectural showcases of recent times: the Elbe & de Meuron. A wonder made of glass constructed over an old brick warehouse, whose shape recreates the movements of the waves of the sea. Inside, the concert hall has acoustics which, according to experts, are simply flawless. Even though it is not even a year old (it was inaugurated last January), this building has already become Hamburg’s new icon, just as the Guggenheim

PHOTOS: MICHAEL ZAPF, IWAN BAAN.

Philharmonic (Elbphilharmonie) designed by Herzog

was for Bilbao – a city with which parallels regarding urban renewal are often pointed out.

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too. Moreover, the location of this project in the heart of

The Philharmonic is thus the icing on HafenCity’s cake:

the city meant carrying out an original experiment. This

a project designed to put an end to the gap between work

recycled and innovative port district of about 155 hectares

life and social life… and to spare its citizens very long

also intends – and why not? – to put the city definitively

commutes. The idea was to bring everything into a single

on the tourist map, and has expanded its central area by

space, one thing a stone’s throw from the other, in order

40 per cent.

to increase – or not – free time, and therefore quality of life

This is the only place where the hotel that best reflects this side of Hamburg – its most serious and sound – could be located: its side of business and finance, of hectic industrial activity, home to some of the most successful and important companies in Germany. It is, of course, the Innside Hamburg Hafen: a hotel located a few steps

Above, the glass façade of the Elbe Philharmonic Concert Hall building designed by Herzog & De Meuron and built over an old cocoa warehouse – a part of the HafenCity project that intends to transform the port and join it to the city centre. Below, interior of the main auditorium whose acoustics are the work of engineer Yasuhisa Toyota, who designed its special White Skin cladding.

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Quality vintages. Grana Padano P.D.O. is available in 3 different vintages: - from 9 to 16 months: mild and delicate flavour, ideal as an aperitif. - over 16 months: more distinct and robust flavour, without losing its mildness. - “RISERVA”, over 20 months: intense and fragrant aroma; the highest quality. A connoisseur’s cheese.

* P.D.O.: Protected Designation of Origin.

ZANETTI is the name for the Grana Padano in Spain and is distributed by TGT

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Left, one of the most recommendable ways of getting about the city in Hamburg: by bike. Below left, many pedestrian streets have set a trend of reducing road traffic in the city centre. Below right, walking by its canals is another way of experiencing the city.

from the city’s main train station and linked to this newly developed area. “Its location in Hammerbrook, with its own dock on the central canal and excellent transport connections, is perfect both for business and leisure travellers.” STYLE

These are the words of Christine Klein, General Manager of this hotel whose contemporary architecture and stateof the-art interior design has brought a true revolution in the city. “For a long time we looked for the most suitable place in Hamburg to locate this offspring of the Innside by Meliá brand, originally developed in Germany. We

THERE ARE WEEKENDS T H A T F E E L L I K E H O L I DAY S . A pause in your routine, a deep breath, those mini breaks that can change you. Because there are getaways and there are Meliรก getaways. #ONLYINMELIA

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Right, the "Big Idea Space" conference room is designed to be cozy and inspire guests' creativity. Below, gym and sauna for relaxing after a long working day.

wanted to give a cosmopolitan approach to business trips, also linking them with leisure,” she points out. But first of all, she explains the philosophy of this unusual hotel. “By using innovative concepts, we try to connect our guests with the locals so that their experience is complete. The hotel has 230 square metres that are perfectly equipped for conferences. In addition, thanks to digitalisation, our clients today can conduct their work without needing stay alone in their rooms, but can also work in the lobby and in the company of other people.” In other words, work comes first, but relaxing and even socialising are important, too. This is the purpose of its big lobby, divided into different multi-functional meeting areas. This lobby, as Klein stresses, “is streets from what we understand to be a traditional reception area.” Automated check-in and check-out machines, a merchandising area and communal tables afford it a different, groundbreaking yet very elegant feel. The same feel can be appreciated in the design of the bedrooms where three colours prevail (black, white and silver), as well as in the bar and restaurant area that are also integrated into the lobby: here, in addition to its excellent international cuisine and extensive cocktail menu, guests can enjoy lively events STYLE

organised by well-known DJs. In short, a hotel embodying Hamburg’s distinct lifestyle. “A lifestyle which makes this city an inspiring place that never stops evolving,” concludes the Innside Hamburg Hafen’s General Manager, who invites us to discover all the very special places in the city.

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Above, terrace at the Solarium in the Mittelkanal: here, you can enjoy a drink or a cocktail, and lunch or dinner in a place where nature and design come together. Below, Sankt Pauli, one of the most famous red-light districts in Europe and the centre of cultural life in Hamburg.

We start with the adjoining district of Speicherstadt, a sort of post-industrial Venice: a labyrinth of canals and old brick warehouses which in the past were used for storing coffee, tobacco, carpets from the East, etc., and that today boasts a growing number of cafés and trendy restaurants. This maritime

times (a devastating fire, the Second World War…) until

elegance is part of its DNA and extends to the port, a

today, when it shines like a Baroque gem. The landfall

glorious place for taking a walk. Giant containers, quays

mark of Saint Michael’s Church, the Mönckebergstraße,

flanked by benches to sit and enjoy sunny afternoons, and

Spitalerstraße and Neuer Wall boulevards, and the

museums devoted to the commercial splendour of a city

luxurious Jungfernstieg Avenue – a golden mile for

that smells of hustle and bustle and faraway places.

exorbitantly expensive shopping – are not able to

Later, and to soak in the city’s impressive history, the

overshadow the Town Hall (Rathaus) that is crowned by

visitor can wander in the old quarter, nestled by the Alster

twenty statues of the Kaiser and which boasts of having

Lake: a town centre that has been reconstructed several

even more rooms than Buckingham Palace.

SANKT PAULI AND THE WAKE OF THE BEATLES Hamburg, such a hardworking and reserved city, also has a rascally side in the district of Sankt Pauli. Sexual and vicefilled, this very lively place not only adds a colourful note to the city – the chink in its armour of seriousness – but also the triumph of its football team, a German version of Spain’s underdog team Rayo Vallecano that turns every match into a party. But, watch out, things are changing. This district, that used to be the haunt of inebriated seafarers and, in short, the red-light district and a warren of neon lights, noisy dives and explicit eroticism, has now been discovered by hipsters. The proof lies in its most famous street, the Reeperbahn which, beyond just bars, offers modern fashionable venues and first-class theatre. STYLE

Sankt Pauli also preserves the mark of the most influential

band of all time. As said by John Lennon himself: “I grew up in Liverpool, but matured in Hamburg”. No long-haired member of the band was yet twenty when they appeared in the city’s joints with a pathetic contract in their hand. They played up to 93 evenings without a break, leaving an archive of irreverent anecdotes and myths for posterity. It was here, in this big German city, that The Beatles polished their style, unified their image and discovered Ringo Star in the raucousness of those nights. Eleven days after leaving the city in 1962, a song of theirs became their first number 1 on the charts. The rest is history.

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FAMILY

HOLIDAYS

white MAGIC STYLE

Enjoying family holidays in the snow, either in Granada or in the Val d’Aran, is something that cannot be expressed in words. These are holidays that must be experienced first-hand: let yourself be seduced by the magic of Meliá’s high mountain hotels, where time stops and invites guests to enjoy the sound of silence.

Text: VÍCTOR RIVEROLA

ater drips from an icicle and cheerfully

number of experiences that somehow marked my family’s

splashes us as we go up to Sierra Nevada with the Veleta

adventurous soul. It was precisely during a family trip in

peak observing us from its extraordinary watchtower.

the mid 80s (in the middle of Easter), when a somewhat

At the same time, the sun sets over Tanau – the pearl

shy and lanky boy discovered the beauty of the white

of Baqueira Beret – illuminating the Val d’Aran with a

Veleta and Mulhacén peaks (the latter, the highest on the

special, almost magical light. In Pradollano, the fragrance

Iberian Peninsula). Back then, Sierra Nevada was not a

of exquisite food seduces guests at the Meliá Sol y Nieve,

National Park yet, and that boy still did not know how

while at the very elegant Royal Tanau the sunset extends

to ski. However, he was so impressed that he promised

its orange mantle from the peaks of the Montardo to the

himself he would return… and today, I can say that I have

Aneto and beyond.

renewed my admiration for Granada’s resort time and

Above, a view of Sierra Nevada’s ski slopes. Below, Baqueira illuminated at night. Both destinations are perfect for enjoying one of the most fun sports with your family: skiing.

time again. Today, Sierra Nevada holds several records:

SIERRA NEVADA,

it has the highest peak in Spain (3,300m); the highest

HOTEL MELIÁ SOL Y NIEVE

paved road in Europe (closed to traffic); and it is the

If we were to take a survey among those who ski on the

southernmost ski resort in the entire EU. On clear days,

Iberian Peninsula, asking them where the best Spanish ski

Africa can be seen from the top of Veleta, accessible by

resorts are, among the three first would be Sierra Nevada

its namesake chairlift. There is an international airport

and Baqueira Beret. Either for their strategic geographical

43km away, and in the city of Granada guests can visit

situation, for the quality of the snow they get, or for their

the Cathedral, Capilla Real, and the Alhambra – declared

slopes and hotels; both resorts deserve to rank top.

a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

That said, I beg the reader to stop for a moment, for – as an excellent teacher from when I was a student said – “It is the job of a good writer to convey emotions, feelings and impressions, not only words.” I thus want to take a brief trip into the past and recover memories of a

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Above, view of the Meliá Sol y Nieve façade, an elegant classic hotel for families in Sierra Nevada, only 100 metres away from the ski lifts; and a Meliá Mountain View room. Below, magnificent views of the mountains from the bar’s solarium, and the Yhi Spa thermal circuit.

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The Meliá Sol y Nieve shines over and above all of Sierra Nevada’s magnificent hotels. Winner of the

almost to the hotel’s entrance from the blue ski slopes of El Río or Loma de Dílar.

fourth edition of the World Ski Awards Spain (organised

The Meliá Sol y Nieve offers its guests the best facilities

by World Travel Events to recognise commitment to

for enjoying themselves and unwinding, including a

tourism within the ski world), the hotel was given a

magnificent gym open 24 hours a day and a YHI Spa of

complete makeover in 2008, thus becoming a leading

over 2,000 square metres, where time stops. Regarding

international benchmark hotel. Its 258 rooms help

families, the utmost attention has been paid to every

create the atmosphere needed so that holidays spent

detail so that children can have a good time, including

here are truly unique – without forgetting its AQUA

a pool slide and a playground. As many skiers know, a

restaurant and Buffet Veleta, where children can enjoy

good breakfast is essential when it comes to starting a day

excellent food. The Meliá Sol y Nieve turns comfort and

of skiing: the kitchen staff prepare an impressive buffet

a balance between elegance and functionality into art. Its

breakfast every day.

harmonious colours, gorgeous combination of materials

For those who wish to combine business with pleasure,

and cutting-edge technology create unique ambiences,

The Level service and the four fully equipped meeting

making this hotel the perfect place for enjoying the

rooms are a perfect complement to keep in touch with

snow, just as it makes the most of its strategic location.

one’s company. The hotel offers ski lockers, Wi-Fi, an

The Meliá Sol y Nieve is located at Plaza de Pradollano,

amusement arcade, a panoramic solarium and a car park.

some 100m from the Jara chairlift and the Borreguiles

Thanks to the quality of its facilities and its unbeatable

and Al-Andalus cable cars – and very close to the Mirlo

staff – who assist guests with exquisite professionalism –

Blanco leisure area, where the littlest family members can

this is an iconic hotel and a wonderful meeting point in

play in the snow with sleighs and slides. If the winter has

Sierra Nevada.

been generous, many a skier can be seen coming down

Sierra Nevada is a true paradise for lovers of skiing and mountain sports in general. Along with the Pyrenees, it is the only peninsular mountain range with peaks over three thousand metres, endowing it with an exceptional Alpine feel. The ski resort faces northwest which makes for high-quality snow, offering a skiable elevation

difference of 1,200-m and 106,8km of ski runs. It has 124

I recommend allowing enough time for sightseeing,

marked and signalled ski slopes for skiers of all levels

starting from Vielha, several Romanesque villages

(19 green, 41 blue, 50 red and 7 black and 7 snowparks),

with important historical monuments. This is the only

without forgetting night skiing: a wonderful experience

Catalonian valley with an Atlantic influence, and, for this

if you have not yet tried it. I would like to highlight

reason, when it comes to snowfall and climate, people

several red slopes that descend from the Veleta, such as

from the Val d’Aran usually endure very cold and snowy

the Olímpica, Dorada, Panorámica 1 and Tubo del Veleta,

winters, and enjoy picture-perfect landscapes. Baqueira

Cartujo and Mottaret, at Laguna de las Yeguas. The Sol y

Beret is located amid this landscape of pure beauty: a ski

Nieve red slope is spectacular, descending from Divisoria

resort that has been able to reinvent itself and adapt to the

(Barranco de San Juan) and then connecting with the

needs of a demanding public that comes from everywhere

Maribel blue slope, leaving you at 120 metres from the

– particularly from Spain and the rest of Europe. Every

Meliá Sol y Nieve hotel.

time I go skiing at Baqueira Beret, I realise how great it is,

Above left, a snapshot of the family-friendly ambience at Sierra Nevada, in the beginners’ area of Borreguiles. Next to it, a detail of the swimming pool at the hotel’s Kids Spa, with hydro-massage tub, and games room. Below, the hotel’s Kids Cinema area.

not just for its slopes totalling 151km, but also for the way

BAQUEIRA BERET,

it has positioned itself at the top: growing, opening itself

MELIÁ ROYAL TANAU HOTEL

to the future, and without losing any of its past charm. The

Let me pass from the Penibetic Range to the heart of

proximity of the d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

the Pyrenees in Lleida, where you find the ski resort

National Park, and the many peaks over 2,800, 2,900 and

considered by many skiers to be the best in Spain. At the

3,000 metres that are relatively close by, turn Baqueira

risk of being deemed excessively romantic or sentimental,

Beret into one of the most special lookout points in the

I will confess that I have regularly visited Val d’Aran (the

entire Pyrenees. The Maladeta mountain range looks

Arán Valley), and the valley and its people still fascinate

loftily towards the west, and the Tempestades, the Aneto

me after all these years. From the Artiga de Lin to the

– which, at 3,404m is the highest in the Pyrenees – and the

Port de la Bonaigua, via Vielha, the Portillón, Montgarri, Tredós, the Montardo and the valleys of Artiés and Colomers… there is not a single place that does not provide me with new sensations and emotions every time I find the time to go there.

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Maladeta are the most outstanding. In the distance, you can also see the Posets and Perdiguero peaks. Baqueira Beret embodies part of the history of skiing in Spain, from the times of Luis Arias, Jesús Serra and Jorge Jordana (the resort was opened on 6 December, 1964) to the present. After the large extension added in 2003, some ski slopes go down the neighbouring valley of Aneu (Pallars Sobirá), underneath the Port de la Bonaigua, being the only ski resort located on the northern side of the Pyrenees.

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Today, the ski slopes can be accessed from several points:

example of this evolution is the Meliá Royal Tanau, a

Baqueira 1,500m (together with the Ruda development),

magnificent five-star hotel that I had the pleasure of

Tanau 1,700m, Orri 1,850m, Beret 1,850m (at Pla de Beret,

visiting last season. The Royal Tanau combines mountain

the cross-country skiing is outstanding), Bonaigua 2,072

architecture and touches of modernity to perfection.

and La Peülla 1,900m.

Thanks to its architectural restraint, its state-of-the-art

The combination of every sector offers skiers excellent

design never overpowers its traditional forms, offering

skiing and a leisure and restaurant offer comparable

a truly high level of comfort but also quietness and an

with those of the best ski resorts in the Alps. Today, it

absolute respect for the gastronomy of the Val d’Aran. The

has 151km of slopes and 35 fast modern ski lifts, with a

Meliá Royal Tanau combines stone and wood in an elegant

skiable elevation difference of 1,010m (from the Tuc deth

and functional way, offering skiers rooms with a terrace

Dossau – 2,516m – to the terminal of the Baqueira cable

and views to the valley and the Maladeta mountain range.

car 1,500m).

Located in a strategic spot at Baqueira Beret – Tanau’s

With a history of more than 50 years behind it, this ski

residential area – just 50m from the Esquirós ticket offices

resort in the Pyrenees has continually evolved. A good

and chairlift, the hotel has an added value that I regard very highly: silence. The peace and quiet breathed in Tanau (1,700m), halfway between Baqueira and Orri – just at the doors of Pla de Beret – is impressive: noiseless nights and a star-studded sky that those who live in a big city can enjoy very rarely. Once you have left your car in

Above left, a view of the Meliá Royal Tanau Boutique façade. The hotel is located in the Tanau development, the highest at the Baqueira Beret resort; and the terrace of a room with views of the Val d’Aran. Below left, a standard room at the hotel; and the Snow Lounge Fire Place.

SPAIN C/ Apolonio Morales 1, Local Bajo 2 28036 Madrid

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MEXICO Campos Eliseos 345, Piso 6 11560, Ciudad de México

COLOMBIA Cra 43 A No. 9 Sur 91 Of- 702 Medellín

www.room1804.com

MOROCCO 223 Bd. Abdelmoument, 4º étage 20100 Casablanca

PERU C/ Las Acacias 578, Miraflores, Lima

STYLE

the hotel’s car park, you can easily ski back, either from

that has direct access to the hotel. Can you imagine the

Beret or from Baqueira 1,800m using the Esquirós (red),

pleasure of leaving the hotel early (just when the ski

Pinarrets (red), Tortuga (blue) or the classic Vista Beret

station opens, to avoid queues and waits) after enjoying

(blue) ski slopes. I remember the experience of extending

a superb breakfast with your family, walking 50m and

a day of skiing to the maximum as I went up rather late,

getting on a comfortable two-seat chairlift up to the

in low light, to Cap de Baqueira (nearly 2,500m) using

heart of Baqueira?

the very quick Jorge Jordana chairlift and going down to

On a personal level, I would like to highlight the red

Esquirós via the Luis Arias ski slopes (black) connecting

ski slopes that descend from Tuc de Costarjàs at Beret. I

with Horat deth Bò (blue).

love La Barlongueta and Pales deth Miei, as well as Pèira

The atmosphere is ideal for enjoying good family

Arroja, below the Blanhiblar chairlift. In the Baqueira

holidays: the quality of the food, and its breakfasts

sector, the Cara Nord (blue) is a famous slope, as are the

specifically designed for skiers are outstanding. Meliá

Guineu and Pla de Baqueira, both red. The Luis Arias

pays special attention to everything après ski, with the

black slope – dedicated to one of the ski resort’s fathers

Royal Tanau’s magnificent YHI Spa, where you can

– and the Escornacrabes off-piste itinerary are iconic in

enjoy therapies specially designed after a long day of

the Pyrenees. For skiers with a good level, I recommend

skiing. The hotel staff takes thorough care of every detail,

you take note. Of the slopes in the Argulls sector, I prefer

offering Wi-Fi, ski lockers with customised ski boot

Argulls (both blue) and Cresta de Bonaigua (red). The Tuc

heating, and a covered car park exclusively for guests

de la Llança ski lifts will help you discover the Cigalera black slope and Muntanyó (red), both very interesting. In the Bonaigua sector, I would choose the Gerber (black) facing the Pallars, the Bosc de la Peülla (red) and Paletes and Pala Gran (both black). And for those with children, the ski resort has 5 skiing schools and 4 kindergartens.

Clockwise, a hot-stone massage included in the Yhi Spa’s list of treatments at the Meliá Royal Tanau Boutique; the Esquirós ski lifts are 50 metres from the hotel; and the hotel’s equipment shop.

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Information and reservations at your travel agency or mebymelia.com

SITGES

SUNNY DAYS

TORREMOLINOS

Glamour THE NEW

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This multicultural municipality that played a leading role in Spain’s opening up to tourism, and one of the pillars of the Costa del Sol brand, aims to shine again – more brightly than ever – thanks to a project that will innovate and update the destination; a project undertaken by flagship hotels such as the Meliá Costa del Sol together with public administrations. Text: ROSA MARQUÉS

hey say that Brigitte Bardot used to walk barefoot

down Calle San Miguel, and her first topless photos were taken on the beaches of Torremolinos; and that Frank Sinatra always got himself noticed (and not precisely for his singing) in the hotels of this town.

Left, the hotel’s seawater 350-m² Thalasso Spa, with two massage cabins, an area for relaxing and a Fitness Area.

Torremolinos was part of all glamorous summer plans of the jet set, European royals, artists, intellectuals, musicians… Those were years when enjoying holidays in the summer was the privilege of aristocrats and eccentric adventurers. Along with Málaga and Marbella, Torremolinos has always represented the quintessential Costa del Sol lifestyle. During the 50s, but especially in the 60s and 70s, it was an epicentre of Spain’s opening up to tourism. Foreign currencies came in, bringing modernity. Proof of this time of plenty can not only be seen in the abundant film footage of the beaches of Torremolinos and the town as a backdrop, but also in the hotels such as the Meliá Costa del Sol, opened in 1976 right on the town’s Bajondillo beach.

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Left, deck chairs at the The Level Garden, a space offering exclusive service to guests within the hotel itself. Below, the infinity swimming pool facing the sea, with deck chair and bar service from May to October; and outside the hotel’s Convention Centre that has eleven rooms and seats up to 600 people.

Its aim is to become an icon of modernity and excellence again so that the Torremolinos brand shines as brightly as when it was visited by the most famous international stars of the worlds of cinema, music, politics and art in general. Local public and private institutions of Torremolinos have thus set themselves this goal that is spearheaded by the

refurbishment of the swimming pool and the introduction

Meliá group – an expert in reconverting destinations.

of The Level concept,” explains Franco.

“Our hotel has always been a pioneer in the

And so on and so forth, as this year the schedule is to

modernisation of hotels in Torremolinos,” remarks its

complete the renewal of the hotel’s 540 rooms and, in 2018,

Director Carlos Franco, who is absolutely committed and

end this cycle “with a new façade and the construction

enthusiastic about restoring the town’s former splendour.

of two spectacular rooftops, one on each of the hotel’s

“Throughout its lifetime, we have been renovating the

buildings,” comments the hotel’s Director.

hotel’s facilities. The most important part began in 2010 STYLE

with the inauguration of a Convention Centre. This was

REINVENTING A DESTINATION

followed by a car park, a sea-water spa, a new solarium, the

Torremolinos is a destination with many years of history behind it. Embracing all that wealth, and updating it, needs teamwork. The enthusiasm of the town’s hoteliers and that of the Town Council go hand in hand. Improving the way the beaches and access roads are managed, completing the pedestrianisation of the

urban centre, teaching languages to

that has innovation as its

the youngsters from the municipality

most important value” is

and training them in the hospitality

essential as, thanks to that,

industry, and rounding off the touristic

they have “cutting-edge

offer of two other big Costa del Sol hubs

technologies for the hotel’s

– Málaga and Marbella – are tasks that

commercialisation

still lie ahead but are already underway.

and

In 2018, the seafront hotel rooftops will have two terraces with restaurants, swimming pools and bar service. The first is scheduled to open at the beginning of next year.

management”.

Meliá Hotels International is contributing “very

However, if a single thing will transform the hotel’s

significantly with its experience in similar projects, and

look it is its new façade and “the rooftop project”

essentially with the project started some years ago in

inspired by similar projects in Miami and New York, to

Calviá, Mallorca, now perfectly conveyed to Torremolinos,”

go on to “position the Costa del Sol hotel as one of the

explains Carlos Franco: “Being part of a hotel company

most avant-garde.”

ALWAYS SUMMER Since it was built, the Meliá Costa del Sol became one of the town’s iconic hotels. From then on, it has been a part of the town’s life and has always been a benchmark “holding events and offering accommodation to the town’s social and political celebrities,” comments its Director Carlos Franco. In addition, it is only a short and pleasant walk from the Carihuela, the old fishing district which today is home to countless bars and terraces serving pescaíto frito (fried fish), fish brochettes, the fresh catch of the day, and then to enjoy an after-dinner walk down the lively and bustling seafront promenade to the marina at Benalmádena. If you go during the daytime, the marina offers shopping and visiting the two artificial islands connected by different bridges, having a bite to eat at its eateries, and even taking a boat ride. If you go with children, a visit to the Sea Life aquarium is a fun choice, although there are also other options for children, like the Tivoli World amusement park in Benalmádena, and Aqualand, in the town of Torremolinos itself.

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70 Above, the Director of the Meliá Costa del Sol, Carlos Franco, who received an award given to this hotel to celebrate its creation of the Association of Hoteliers of the Costa del Sol.

For adults, there is Marbella (40 kilometres away) with its unbeatable culinary offer and Málaga (13 kilometres away) with its excellent museums: the Picasso Museum, the house where the artist was born, the Pompidou Museum and the Saint Petersburg’s State Russian Museum, are unique and worth visiting.

THE BEST PLACE

INSIDE PALMA BOSQUE

Big

THE NEXT

SECRET Last June the second Innside hotel in Spain was inaugurated in Palma de Mallorca: the Innside Palma Bosque â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a hotel embodying a lifestyle, designed for urban travellers who combine business and pleasure and who want to do it just a few metres from the Seaside Promenade. STYLE

Text: ARANTXA NEYRA

Left, already thriving before Muslim rule (902-1229), Palmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s port can be seen in the background. Below, the new Innside Palma Bosque and the terrace of Syndeo, one of its restaurants, that serves regional specialties.

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t has been acclaimed as a first-class world

destination for over half a century, but Mallorca has not rested on its laurels. It still surprises us, still has aces up its sleeve, and invents and reinvents itself over and over again, keeping up with the times and preserving an aura of everlasting youth. After a six-month refurbishment and a successful “surgical operation” that has left it completely unrecognisable, the Innside Palma Bosque (formerly, Tryp Palma Bosque) Above, motorbikes for hire from the hotel; this service is very popular among clients. Opposite, semi-covered terrace over the hotel’s new and spectacular courtyard and swimming pool; very cool ambiences by the swimming pool; and a detail of the Innside Premium Swim-Up rooms, overlooking the swimming pool.

started the summer with a new face, fresh facilities and energy to begin a new era under the umbrella of the Innside by Meliá brand. The result is a contemporary, fresh and laidback hotel, decidedly geared towards lifestyle, and based on three pillars – art, gastronomy and music – designed for travellers who combine their business trips with a few days off and who value, above everything else, flexibility.

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HERE AS IT IS IN MIAMI “The Innside Palma Bosque is a hotel that breaks the rules, both conceptually and architecturally and, geared towards offering a particular lifestyle, evokes the hotels of Miami Beach,” states its General Manager, Juan Escarrer, when presenting it.

STYLE

To realise that he is not exaggerating, just go and take a look. Its 20-metre swimming pool surrounded by loungers

tapas to share among everybody: it is a concept that goes way beyond that.

and Bali beds (watched by Fati, the giraffe sculpture) is the

It is a philosophy that pervades the entire hotel, all of its

epicentre – both physically and metaphorically – of life at

spaces, and it is reflected – above all – in its open lounge

the hotel and a powerful lure for Instagrammers.

which breaks with all traditional divisions. Thus, at a glance,

Many of the 262 rooms, distributed over 12 floors, look

you can see all the way from the (very discreet) reception to

out onto the pool; and some of them – those on the first

the kitchen; the counter on which the breakfast buffets are

floor – have direct access to it: “A big plus for holiday

served, the small low tables for having tea, a snack, lunch

travellers,” says Juan Escarrer. In turn, the 11th and 12th

or a cocktail; the high Calacatta marble table where you can

floors have views of the cathedral and the Mediterranean.

improvise a mobile office, or the two terraces (indoor and

A common feature of all of them is that they are large

outdoor) that can be used in exactly the same way, or for

and bright, have en-suite bathrooms and open wardrobes,

any other thing you can think of.

and enjoy the same general facilities and services: a

“The hotel’s idea is to invite people to have a coffee in

heated swimming pool, sauna, Turkish hamman and a

our living room, so that they feel really at home,” explains

fully-equipped gym with virtual fitness, spinning and

Juan Escarrer.

Zumba classes (and more!) available round the clock and at no additional cost.

The same concept of removing all physical barriers and traditional hotel divisions extends to service and opening hours (the restaurant offers all-day-dining). The reception

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IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

area is also blurred and will be even more so once the

In Greek, Syndeo means to connect. This is why it is also

self-check-in system has been incorporated – reducing

the name of the Innside hotels’ restaurants all over the

the distance between staff and guests even more, explains

world. However, it is not simply about ordering a few

David Giménez Costa, the Guest Experience Manager. “The classic hotel principle about there being no NO,” explains Giménez, “is here taken to the extreme: there is no space with any specific fixed function. If our guests tell us that they want to have lunch here or take whatever to their room, there is no problem whatsoever.” This can also

Left, attractive little tables at Syndeo (which means “to connect” in Greek): a space next to the lobby where breakfast is served and extends up to the terrace; an area for working and relaxing, ideal for networking, and has great views of Bellver and the big swimmingpool courtyard. Below, the wellness centre and fitness areas. Opposite, some of the hotel’s rooms.

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be noticed in its casual atmosphere, small details such as the staff ’s uniform, they wear T-shirts; and instead of the traditional welcome card in the rooms, there it is a little paper plane. In a way, it is about “conveying the concept of a hostel to hotels,” he says.

THE THREE PILLARS Gastronomy – we insist – is one of the hotel’s three pillars. Therefore, every effort has been made at the Innside Palma Bosque to prepare a menu in keeping with this: varied, healthy, contemporary food, available almost all day long (from 11.00 to 23.00) to be enjoyed anywhere in the hotel. Syndeo’s menu is divided into three sections: nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese fusion) with exotic options such as bao bread with cochinita pibil and guacamole stuffing; leche de tigre; and red-tuna tataki. There is a char-grilled menu with food cooked in a Josper charcoal oven – BBQ chops marinated in Jack Daniel’s served with roasted potatoes, or citrus-marinated char-grilled chicken with vegetables and hoisin sauce; and, lastly, healthy options with superfoods such as chia, quinoa and avocado featuring in its recipes and, of course, Mallorcan pambolis of crispy pan de cristal bread, vine tomatoes and olive oil. This nod to the local gastronomic culture is not the hotel’s only one. Although the Innside brand has global standards, local touches are incorporated in each destination; here they offer the island’s craft beer and its famous kelitas, typical of Mallorca, included in the (free) minibar for higher category rooms. Three days a week (the second pillar – music – now comes on the scene), breakfast is enlivened with music chosen by resident DJs – who also spin their records in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday. Needless to say, the DJs have no specific place to put their turntables, and so the place changes every day, and even every hour. Art is the third element around which everything revolves at the Innside Bosque Palma, in the shape of its decorations and interior design, but also – and above all – in the exhibitions and collaborations with a local artist, Gripface. His work can be seen in the front lounge and in some of the rooms: it is a good start for an urban art route around the city, just five minutes away by bike or electric STYLE

skate board (that can be hired at reception).

Above, a suggestion from the international menu of the versatile Syndeo restaurant. Below, cocktail time is enlivened with DJ sessions so that guests can forget about work. Opposite, healthy breakfast offer that also has suitable options for coeliacs, and below, bike hire service to visit the surrounding area.

SANTA CATALINA Santa Catalina is today one of Palma’s most fashionable districts, both in winter and summer. It is the place for shopping for all the things you can find nowhere else, and to have dinner or a drink at the latest restaurants or venues. Santa Catalina is also a yearround favourite place for “the tardeo” [going out in the tarde: after midday]: a tradition the

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locals in Palma extend from the aperitif on Saturdays at midday to dusk with a few gin and tonics or vermouths. Some decades ago, this was a working-class, fishing neighbourhood. The original wheat windmills, and also one of the town’s best markets from that time, still remain: the Santa Catalina market, opened in 1920, is where the freshest fish on the island and in the Mediterranean can still be found (you can even ask to have it cooked), and you can also enjoy a casual meal at its bars.

NNYC we love FASHION

INNSIDE NEW YORK NOMAD

THE MOST ENERGETIC CITY IN THE WORLD, VIEWED FROM THE MOST SOPHISTICATED WATCHTOWER. TOP MODEL CLARA ALONSO FEELS THE PULSE OF NEW YORK FROM THE ICONIC INNSIDE NOMAD, A MADE-TO-MEASURE HOTEL FOR THE MOST COSMOPOLITAN DREAMS. Fashion photos: ALEX DEL RÍO Styling: ANDRÉS ACOSTA Model: CLARA ALONSO (Line-Up Model Management) Make-up: JAMIE DORMAN (jamiedorman.com) Hair: JUAN VIGOYA (Ammon Carver Studio)

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WARM SUN ON THE ROOFTOP Wearing a dinner suit by Dsquared2 and jewellery by Rabat, Clara succumbs to the sensations of an afternoon in New York.

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THE SOUL OF THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS IS PRESENT IN THE CHOICE OF THE HOTEL’S AMBIENCES, SUBTLE LIGHTING, SOFT AND ELEGANT COLOURS, CONTEMPORARY SOPHISTICATION AND WARM MATERIALS, AND ROOMS TO PRESERVE PRIVACY

AN OASIS OF SOFT ELEGANCE Right from the start, the message is clear: the Innside New York Nomad goes for well-defined structures, giving way to the natural serenity found in its decoration, with plants and flowers. On this page, details of the entrance, the desk and the lobby, where such important features as space, light, colour and modernity – and also comfort – have been addressed with precision.

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FLATTERING INTERIORS Getting it right with light is essential when it comes to enhance beauty. At the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reception, Clara looks spectacular in a dress by Roberto Diz and jewellery by Rabat.

NEW YORK’S SKYLINE IS A VERY REAL WONDER THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM A SUITE, A ROOM, OR THE ROOFTOP AT THE INNSIDE NEW YORK NOMAD, A HOTEL SURROUNDED BY THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS.

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THE BEST WORLD AT YOUR FEET Breathtaking city views from one of the suites. On the terrace you feel as if you are embracing the whole of New York from a place of the utmost privacy. On this page, one of the suites; a room with a view; and detail of one of the hotel’s modern bathrooms. The colours and interior design play with this city’s philosophy of life in a district presided over by the historic Flatiron, one of the most iconic buildings and a part of New York’s skyline.

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BEAUTY RITUALS Clara relaxing in her room in a white silk dress by Massimo Dutti, and jewellery by Rabat.

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TOP SENSUALITY Our top model, lying on one of the restaurant couches in a lurex dress by Forever Unique, gold sandals by Ursula Mascarรณ, and jewellery by Rabat.

THE INNSIDE NEW YORK NOMAD’S EXTERIOR BEAUTY BECOMES MORE REMARKABLE AND STRIKING INSIDE. AMBIENCES FOR CONFERENCES AND COURSES, RESTAURANTS, GYM, AND ALL THE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEMANDING TRAVELLERS WHO WANT TO COMBINE PLEASURE AND BUSINESS.

AVANT-GARDE IN EVERY DETAIL On this page, three ambiences designed for guests who demand top efficiency from a hotel. A school set-up for conferences and courses; the second-floor gym; and a detail of the hotel’s bar in the lobby.

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INTERVIEW WITH

CLARA ALONSO From Madrid to heaven. This seems to be the path of this top model who conquered international catwalks with her beauty and her intelligence. We met at the Innside New York Nomad, a hotel that defines this district and from which you can see the silhouette of the Flatiron and the continuous comings and goings of life in this wonderful city. Yes, we are with Clara at the centre of the world. By ANDRÉS ACOSTA.

of big opportunities. How has your

Hamptons, a stunning place.

life changed since then?

you pack when you travel?

in America is very different from

A pair of jeans, basic T-shirts, and

Europe, but I love being here and I

my customised Converse sneakers

have adapted wonderfully. I have

from the Converse shop in Soho.

my husband. One of the big moments of your career was no doubt walking down the Victoria’s Secret catwalk.

What must a hotel have for you to return again? 24-hr room service, Wi-Fi and a gym, very important! What is it that you most like

How do you remember that

about the Innside NY Nomad

experience?

hotel?

With lots of love, no doubt one

I love the design of its rooms, the

of the best moments that I have

services it offers, its location, its

experienced in my profession, a

restaurant... EVERYTHING!!!

turning point in my career. What was it about New York

Would you share some of your favourite destinations with us?

that made you fall in love with this

Without a doubt, Exuma, in the

city that is now your home?

Bahamas. My favourite place.

I love living in the city that never

Also the Fiji Islands and Tulum, in

sleeps. New York is an incredible

Mexico.

place full of opportunities and

A new destination that you have

fascinating people. I love that it is so

in mind?

cosmopolitan.

I would like to visit Bora Bora and

Would you share your favourite addresses with us for… …having lunch/dinner? What do

What are the essential items

It has taken a dramatic turn as life

made new friends, and here I met

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…To unwind? I love going to the beach in New Jersey or visiting The

the Cook Islands. A project that you would like to share with us?

you recommend we order?

I am having an incredible year in

My favourite restaurant is Momoya

every respect, but in the future

and I recommend the tuna crispy

I would love to volunteer and

rice.

get involved in humanitarian aid

…And the best shopping? 5th Avenue, without a doubt. …And to pamper yourself? Tracie Martyn salon, a delight.

projects. It is something that I have done occasionally over these years here, but I would love to get more deeply involved in it.

STREETS OF NEW YORK With a brick wall and fire escapes in the background, Clara Alonso poses in a black dress with embroidered sleeves by Vicedomini, and jewellery by Rabat. PHOTO: ALEX DEL RIO.

It was 5 years ago now that Clara Alonso conquered the city

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PORTFOLIO

REFLECTIONS OF NEW YORK The city of cities is an immense kaleidoscope of forms and sounds that catch and bring back emotions: a jumble of memories. My camera and I toured the streets of New York in search of the golden reflections of buildings at dusk, the streetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; silvery trails at dawn, the frenzy of rush hour. I want to believe that these reflections are, in reality, an intimate and personal reflection of ourselves. Photos: ALEX DEL RIO

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TIME IS GOLD A huge gold clock on 5th Avenue: the street that sets the pace for shopping, lunch, arms raised flagging down a taxi, meetings for work or pleasure. All this flanked by immense buildings that seem to defy geometry and parallel lines to converge in a piece of sky.

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92 PERFECT SYMBOLISM Traffic lights, yellow taxis, hot-dog and bagel carts, green streetname signs giving the city order. And at every turn, a fun or iconic venue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just like this one above, called Cha Cha Matcha.

EACH FAÇADE, A STORY Two buildings, far apart in time but united in the symmetry of their windows. Golden reflections of New York offices. Madison Square Park pond – into which people throw coins – whose magical ripples reflect the magnificent Flatiron building, one of New York’s most iconic constructions.

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SPATIAL GEOMETRY Straight lines converging in the sky into infinite vanishing points made of metal and glass. The Empire State Building and its distinctive top spire fuses with the red neon lights of the B-B-Q Raw Oyster Bar, very close to Madison Square Park and the Innside Nomad New York.

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IMAGINATION FLIES,TOO What would Oscar Wilde think if he walked down this street today and saw himself among the crowd which every day comes to this bar that is a part of the makeup and heart of this New York district? Near, very near the Innside Nomad hotel, oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind opens up to literature while enjoying a drink at the time of day when all the best dreams are a reflection of happiness.

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WHAT TO DO IN

AROUND THE INNSIDE NEW YORK NOMAD From the comfort and wellbeing of the Innside New York Nomad hotel, discover an iconic district full of interesting things to see and do.

be left while their owners enjoy a coffee or a delicious lunch at Eataly, the best exponent of the Slow Food movement. Its terrace is famous, and friends meet there to have one of the over a hundred brands of PHOTOS: ALEX DEL RIO.

beer it offers. Bordering the district is one of the coolest restaurants: Gramercy Tavern, a meeting place for showbiz and press people. Going up towards 8th Avenue is a little-known Three photographs of the Nomad. 5th Avenue very close to the Flatiron; a view of the city from the rooftop of the Innside New York Nomad hotel; and a couple having dinner at one of its restaurants.

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museum that you should not miss,

different directions, are two historic

the FIT, where fashion is written in

York because this multi-faceted city

buildings: the Empire State, an

capital letters, and exhibitions are

forms a huge web that enchants you

emotion-packed and constant symbol

held to showcase designers and

as you go from one district to the

of everything (and for everybody)

photographers from that fascinating

next, when you cross one pavement

which I like to visit every time I go to

world. Close by is Madison Square

to another, from a park to another

New York because the air from the

Garden, the boxing and basketball

park: yet from the Innside New York

top is magical, and there I have the

“cathedral” – worth a visit even

Nomad hotel, your operations centre

feeling that I am part of this unique

when there are no sports events or

from which to walk and the best

metropolis. And then there is the

musical shows on. Photography buffs

watchtower from which to see this

Flatiron, with its curiously rounded

should not miss the B&H shop (for

district and the whole of Manhattan,

shape, a building constructed in 1902

professionals it is their second home),

the Big Apple’s heartbeat can be

that back then was the tallest in the

whose employees, all of them Hasidic

experienced in all its intensity and

world and today remains, proud and

Jews, never touch the objects, which

dynamism. Very close by, but in

confident, where 5th Avenue and

move along rails that circulate around

Broadway intersect. Right beside

the ceiling of the premises. And

the Flatiron is Madison Square

between one street and the next, and

Park – a typical New York public

one pavement and another, there are

garden – with its glass pavilion,

hundreds of bars, restaurants, shops.

its enclosed space where dogs can

This is NYC.

here is no best district in New

Madison Square Garden and, in the background, the silhouette of the Empire State Building. A Hasidic Jew, always faithful to their particular dress style; 5th Avenue street sign; and flowers in the Flower District.

ILLUSTRATION: JAIME MARTINEZ.

1. The Innside New York Nomad hotel. 2. The Fit Museum (FIT), devoted to the fascinating world of fashion. 3. The B&H shop, specialised in photography and electronics. 4. Madison Square Garden, one of NY’s most famous places and a “cathedral” for sports and musical events. 5. The Empire State Building. New York’s unwavering soul. 6. Madison Square Park. A delicious place. 7. Eataly, a very cool multi-storied shop selling Italian products. A hub for Slow Food. 8. The Flatiron. Another iconic building on the world’s most photographed skyline. 9. Gramercy Tavern, a meeting point for New York’s VIPs.

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The Observatory

REBRANDING “MUCH MORE THAN A BUSINESS STRATEGY”

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In 2012, Meliá Hotels International began an exciting adventure: the renovation and repositioning of its most iconic urban and holiday hotels. Since then, over 500 million Euros have been invested. Spain is just the first step. Text: ARANTXA NEYRA Illustration: JAIME MARTINEZ

t all started in 2011 when Sol Meliá stopped being Sol

Meliá to become Meliá Hotels International. A change of name, a word; apparently, it was only that, but with it a new era was inaugurated for the company: an era of renovated hotels, destinations and brand. Based on an ambitious business strategy, it was in keeping with the company’s corporate policy of social responsibility. As Gabriel Escarrer, Meliá Hotels International’s VP & CEO explains, this renovation was necessary: “Today’s rapidly changing scene calls for a greater need to evolve. Today, there is an extraordinary segmentation of guests with a very wide range of profiles; hotels must adapt to them and customise their value propositions. In addition, the globalisation of the tourist market is a fact as are the changes in the ways we travel, purchase trips, recommend them, etc. Wanting to be prepared for all this entails an in-depth process of transformation for our hotels, attributes and brands, as well as our processes, people and, in general, our company’s culture.” Between 2011 and 2016, Meliá Hotels International invested 500 million Euros in Spain, of which 220 million were devoted to the Calviá Beach (Magaluf) project. This is the flagship of this

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renovation of Mediterranean

well as new processes and management

holiday destinations, offering

systems, innovation, etc., and which

a second lease of life to this

has affected not just the hotel, but also

mature destination, making it shine as brightly as

the destination as it also involves collaboration with the

when it was launched more than 60 years ago. For the

public sector and various stakeholders. “Big repositioning

Escarrer family, this project goes beyond purely the

projects must be tackled with a commitment to

economical. As Gabriel says, “Meliá is a multinational

collaborate with local public administrations so that both

group from Mallorca and it began operating big resorts

the drive and the investment – mostly private – go hand

in the Magaluf area, among others. There is, therefore,

in hand with matters such as public order, improved

also a sentimental component and commitment to the

urban planning, security, enhancement of the shopping

destination, and we are proud of having proved that the

and hotel offer, infrastructure, beach cleaning and

“pioneering” destinations of the tourist boom of the 60s

management, etc.”

and 70s can now enjoy a second chance and recover their splendour and their social and economic profitability.” An aerial view of areas of Magaluf beach in Mallorca.

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However, Calviá has not been the only case. Other mature destinations – mainly on the Mediterranean

The global project is a case study at business

coast and in the Canary Islands – have witnessed how

universities and schools; the starting point of a strategy

some of their most iconic hotels have been refurbished

that includes rebranding, architectural renovation as

and rejuvenated. This is true of the Meliá Gorriones in

The Observatory I N T E RV I E W

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS:THE FOUR PILLARS OF REBRANDING

ANTHONY CORTIZAS MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL VP OF GLOBAL BRAND STRATEGY

he image of a hotel is the first perception

meaning is far more important – and that is

guests have of the repositioning and

a combination of everything. What do all the company’s hotels have in

rejuvenation carried out by the company over

common, regardless of their brand?

One of the things that is becoming

All of our brands are part of the Meliá

ever clearer in the constantly changing

family. We have what is called an “endorsed

competitive landscape of the hospitality

brand” architecture, e.g. Me by Meliá,

industry is that brands matter. However,

Innside by Meliá etc. However this goes

there is no longer room for brands that

far deeper than just a logo scheme. We PHOTO: JAIME VERT

recent years. Why was this renovation needed?

lack clarity or purpose. More than ever before, your brand has to stand for something, it must have meaning. With no authentic story to tell, no brand stands a chance in this new environment. Having comfortable rooms and good service are the “must haves”, but the “stand-out” factor comes from a strong concept that goes

“The look and feel, or identity, are just as important”

have four corporate brand pillars for MHI which are: warmth and conviviality, caring and nurturing, little extras, and innovation. Each of our hotel brands are based on the expression of these four pillars as four distinguishing factors which are the individual brands’ interpretation of each MHI corporate pillar. The company’s service culture has been built the same

way beyond functional accommodation. This is why Meliá Hotels International

By developing the four sub brands we

way, with each brand’s four distinguishing

has made such a strong commitment to

have been able to reenergise the brand

factors expressed as behaviours (service

invest in its brand strategy to ensure that

and segment the market with concept-led

values).

we are evolving a portfolio of strongly

offerings that connect authentically with

differentiated brands that are relevant and

customers’ lifestyles. To put it another

Meliá approach its potential clients, how does it

connect emotionally with the customer.

way we have gone from vanilla to four

present itself, attract and retain them?

distinctive flavours – and the market has

It is a whole new world when it comes

responded in a big way.

to what is happening digitally. The pace

One of the company’s big milestones with regard to this has been the re-launch of the

In today’s totally digitalised world, how does

of change is incredible, but the range of

SOL brand with its 4 sub-brands. Why was this

The company’s other brands have defined

undertaken, and what has been achieved by it?

their image and attributes. Is conducting this

opportunities is equally so – the possibilities

Meliá Hotels International is a company

kind of segmentation necessary in today’s hotel

are literally endless. However, despite

that has built itself as a market leader in

industry? What influence has it had on the

the fact that everything is changing, the

leisure – it is part of our heritage. Back

company’s results?

basic principles of marketing remain

in 1956 when the whole story began, the

All of the work we have been doing to

the same. The change is in the tools and

original Sol concept was on trend and

define the brands has had a positive

the platforms. What stays the same is

spoke directly to the customer of the day.

impact. There has to be a reason for a

that successful marketing is all about

It was important for us to bring a fresh

customer to choose your product, and that

compelling storytelling based on an

perspective to the brand and align it to

comes down to having a clear USP (unique

equally strong product that delivers on

today’s customers and current market

selling proposition). Today’s customer is

its promise. From websites and social

trends. We identified a huge opportunity

increasingly overwhelmed by choices and

media, to digital media and YouTube there

in the midscale resort category for a more

for a brand to matter it has to stand out and

are amazing opportunities for brands to

concept-led approach. There has been an

be meaningful.

engage potential brand lovers with strong

explosion of concept-led urban hotels in

That is an interesting question. There is no

storytelling content. From short films

both the economy and midscale categories,

question that a name is important, but it is

to influencer stories we are constantly

but nobody has applied that to leisure

only one part of the equation. I think that

exploring and working to offer the most

destinations on any of the scale categories.

sometimes people get stuck on the “what

vibrant digital footprint possible.

should we call it” part of the branding process. The look and feel, or identity, is just as important. Then comes the concept itself together with the overall storytelling. The name does matter, but a brand’s

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Las Palmas, Meliá Salinas in Lanzarote,

urban hotel in an extraordinary location

Meliá Jardines del Teide in Tenerife and

– Hapsburg Madrid – to highlight its

five hotels in Torremolinos. “Having a

great architectural value and potential

great hotel is not enough if the destination

as a luxury establishment. The hotel

is dirty, unsafe, unsustainable or, in

has been admitted into the exclusive

short, ‘badly managed’. This gave rise to a discipline

club of the Leading Hotels of the World, and, in just a few

called ‘destination stewardship’ that focuses on a

months was ranked among Madrid’s best top 3 hotels in

holistic approach for destinations. As a company,

Tripadvisor. ‘Rounding off ’ our Grand Luxury range in

Meliá understood this very early on, launching our big

Madrid with this extraordinary product that reinforces

hotel renovation and repositioning projects within a

the portfolio of luxury Spanish brands in view of the

framework of repositioning destinations, because if the

imminent arrival of other international Grand Luxury

destination has no value, the hotel will not have value,

brands in our capital city was a challenge that we have

and the community will be impoverished.”

successfully met.”

MADRID AND THE PALACIO

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

DE LOS DUQUES HOTEL

To achieve our goals for the Gran Meliá Palacio de los

With regard to urban hotels, the flagship of this change

Duques and the Calviá Project, as well as all the other

is the new Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques in Madrid.

hotels, many other renovations and changes have

Located in the palace of the Duke and Duchess of Granada

been tackled concerning matters from marketing to

de Ega, on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo street, the old

real estate, and from interior design to corporate social

Hotel Ambassador was transformed into a contemporary

responsibility. A harmonious combination of all of them

luxury urban hotel “combining leisure and business to

has made success possible.

adapt to the demands of current travellers who, also

“Several

key

factors

successful

positioning of our brands, an excellent public-private

lifestyle, leisure, wellbeing, culinary, etc. experiences.”

collaboration to facilitate the projects, and a clear

Various different spaces are open not just to its guests

business strategy with first-class financial partners to

but also to the entire city – rooftop, lobby and the Dos

undertake the significant investment needed in such a

a clear example of the complete transformation carried out by Meliá Hotels International. Escarrer says, “This involved renovating, re-branding and repositioning an

CARLOS MARTINS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE CANARY ISLANDS

Classic

Spanish sun and beach destinations are “diversifying their offer”, according to Martins. “New trends, particularly in sports like golf, windsurfing and kitesurfing, cycling and trekking, etc., attract more and more new profiles that did not exist some years ago.” Meliá’s Vice President for the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands highlights Calviá Beach, in Magaluf, as one of Meliá’s most interesting projects, and defines it as “a complete reinvention of a destination” – by reinvention he means “what the very word indicates: to once again enjoy an attribute of the past, going back to the beginnings of tourism in Mallorca when Magaluf was an excelling destination highly 102

the

when travelling on business, increasingly seek bespoke

Cielos restaurant headed by the Torres brothers – and are

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converge:

appreciated for its outstanding quality and good service”.

The terrace at the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques has given Madrid one of the best views of its historic centre back: the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Theatre.

The Observatory I N T E RV I E W

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS:THE FOUR PILLARS OF REBRANDING

ÁLVARO SANS AN ARCHITECT SPECIALISED IN HOTEL DEVELOPMENT AN FOUNDER OF ASAH

n keeping with Meliá Hotels International’s

done back in the 80s. I see this hotel as a

rejuvenation and repositioning approach,

luxury benchmark in Europe; it has an

what has it been like from an architectural

exceptional location and a historical garden,

viewpoint? Has it chiefly consisted of new

unique for a Madrid hotel. The kind of

acquisitions, or of refurbishments?

traveller is a Gran Meliá guest. Design, a

With regard to architecture, we have been

timeless design: a contemporary vision of a

working with the different Meliá brands

19th-century small Renaissance palace. The

for many years. The company is very clear

interiors are surprising and multifunctional

about what it wants for each of them, and

– in my opinion this is the most beautiful

has a great professional team for each

hotel in Madrid. It is well worth a visit,

one. In my opinion, our success has been

and proof of this are the many prizes it has

to be very precise about the architectural

received; the latest, the prestigious Istituto

approach of every one, about the kind

Europeo di Design (IED) prize for the best

of guest each is targeted to, and what is expected from them. Having a global vision of hotel architecture has also been a great help. The projects are both refurbishments

“Function and form must go hand in hand”

refurbishment in 2017. Apart from what meets the eye, what changes were needed to update the hotels? All the façades, rooms, bathrooms, restaurants... All these are new – the old

and new constructions, but perhaps right now refurbishments have been the bigger

2012 and we have been able to do so much

ones weren’t valid any more. This century’s

focus since Meliá is revamping all its hotels.

more with the hotels’ design as a whole.

concepts and uses are 100% different.

What has been the overall principle – the

Our design approach has always been

What do guests expect from a hotel

compass that has set the course for the hotels

about respecting the natural environment,

these days?

that have been built/revamped since 2012?

local culture and the feel of the place:

Brands, multi-functional spaces, open

To have control over the interior design

function and form must go hand in hand.

spaces with lots of light, contemporary

as well as the architectural projects. The

What had become obsolete in older hotels?

architect Adriana Sans has therefore

What should design and functionality be like in

overseen the firm’s interior design since

a 21st-century hotel?

design, open workspaces, rooms with integrated bathrooms, etc. Where is Meliá’s hallmark noticeable?

Today, light and open spaces are highly

How are Meliá’s standards – both as a company

valued – this is what we seek to achieve

and for each of its brands – maintained

in our refurbishment work. To divide

without losing the personality of each hotel

spaces with design elements: not walls

in its destination?

but bookcases... latticework, and always

Meliá is without a doubt the only

use daylight. Interiors and outdoor spaces

obviously international, contemporary

must go together: a difference – when you

Spanish hotel company, and has a much

compare 20th-century spaces with those of

higher quality design than all the others.

the 21st century – is that the interior extends

Each brand is adapted to the continent

outward and the outside comes in. People’s

and country and their culture. An Innside

ways of living have changed a lot: spaces

in China is nothing like one in Germany;

have to be multi-functional so, a restaurant

and a Gran Meliá in Europe is unlike one

that is just a restaurant is now outdated...

in Asia; it is certainly a complex activity

What kind of traveller did you have

that calls for extensive experience in hotel

in mind when designing, for example, the

architecture. We have been designing hotels

Palacio de los Duques?

since 1986: over 240 hotels in 40 countries –

We had the great experience of having

that is our secret.

collaborated in Rome on the Gran Meliá Villa Agrippina project, and that was a good starting point. We wanted this small Renaissance palace in Madrid to shine again after the dreadful refurbishment

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short time, plus a brilliant sales strategy.

today, they are more and more

I believe that our assets, financial and

individualised

brand strategies make up the masterful

hence we must know our guests

combination of ingredients that have

and offer them more customised

led us to success.”

products. Today we must consider

and

digital

–

our relationship with guests from an integral perspective (what we

THE NEW BRANDS Our re-launch of the SOL brand with its four sub-brands

call ‘the customer journey’) before, during and after

in areas like Magaluf (Mallorca) or Ibiza and Menorca,

their experience with us so that we can understand

and the Costa del Sol has been the trigger for clearly

them, anticipate their expectations, get them to identify

outlining the new vision for the Meliá group brands, and

with our brands and thus remain loyal.”

the company’s other brands will follow suit in the future

The Meliá Serengeti is the group’s first 100-percent ecofriendly hotel, located in the Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania.

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in Spain. The aim was to build a brand architecture with

A SHARED PROFIT

strong and differentiated characteristics, with a value

“Companies must get involved with the communities

proposition that was persuasive for owners, investors

where we are based. Tourism – and hospitality in

and guests alike.

particular – has an ability that few industries have for

“Having different categories of hotels is not enough

fostering social cohesion and economic development.”

today as there is also a need for products that are in

For Gabriel Escarrer, Meliá Hotels International’s goal as a

keeping with demographic (baby-boomers, Gen X,

company is to generate “shared value” (for shareholders,

Y and Z, millennials…) and psychographic profiles.

employees, and the entire community) and “has a

Nor are purchases conducted mainly via wholesalers:

commitment with the destinations and communities

The Observatory I N T E RV I E W

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS:THE FOUR PILLARS OF REBRANDING

LOURDES RIPOLL, MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL’S DEPUTY TO CEO AND VICEPRESIDENT OF CSR

esides an increase in profits for its profit and

responsibility in its broadest sense –

loss statement, what did the Meliá group seek

economic, social and environmental – into

when it decided to rejuvenate its hotels?

a business model is the way to guarantee

The hotel industry requires establishments

long-term viability for any company.

that meet the standards linked to each

Understanding a destination, respecting

brand and the expectations of guests.

it, and contributing to its development is

The sector has undertaken a process of

a joint task undertaken by all the players

transformation of its hotel assets, adapting

involved. Only thus can a balance be

them to an increasingly demanding kind

achieved. The community is an active part

of guest who looks for new experiences,

of the destination and it is affected in both

services and differentiated products.

direct and indirect ways by the level of

The product must be in line with the

development it experiences. It is up to us

brand’s concept it represents. Our

– all the players involved – to see that this

improved results would not exist if we had

impact is a positive one.

kept worn-out, obsolete products going. How important are respect for the environment and sustainability for these new hotels and destinations? What examples can you give? This year we are celebrating the

In addition to the hotels themselves, this

“Sustainability is a key pillar for this process of transformation”

affected destinations. In what ways? Meliá Hotels International decided to give impetus to this renovation project in the destination where the company’s business

International Year of Sustainable Tourism with the aim of reinforcing our message

rejuvenation and repositioning process has also

What has been the impact of this

path began, spearheading an in-depth

regarding the substantial contribution

rejuvenation policy on the company’s

process of transformation that would serve

that tourism makes to the three key pillars

employees and on communities?

as an example to follow. Our project for the

of sustainability: economic, social and

Any investment and renovation process

regeneration of the Calviá area in Mallorca

environmental.

always creates excitement for those who

made clear that a deep transformation

In the context of this celebration, plus our

work at the hotels, as well new opportunities

of a worn-out, obsolete destination with

Agenda for 2020 and our Objectives for

to implement new services, experiences,

difficult challenges to meet is possible,

Sustainable Development (OSD), we intend

products that can be offered to guests. In

viable and profitable.

to highlight the work we do to promote

addition, training is often needed to update

Conveying economic, social, and

sustainable tourism and the responsible

skills, abilities, languages, etc.

environmental impacts and making them

behaviour of all players involved in the

Having enthusiastic employees that are

visible, showing a destination that added

sector’s value chain.

committed to offering guests excellent and

value could be created and would appeal

The role of tourism is key for the economic

quality service is ensured by constantly

to new guests, guest profiles, and different

growth of destinations, for job creation,

updating and training our internal customer.

segments, enabled us to set up new

for the responsible and efficient use of

Tourism encourages and boosts an inclusive

initiatives in other destinations which share

assets, for environmental protection, and

kind of economic model and creates wealth

the same realities and needs.

contributes in the fight against climate

for all the hotels’ destinations. Economic

Representatives and managers of other

change, as does the dissemination of the

impact is diversified in multiple sectors

destinations with similar needs have

culture and heritage of our destinations.

and throughout the value chain from the

seen that changing is feasible, and have

Meliá Hotels International’s business

construction to the running of the hotel

shown great interest in knowing how we

strategy has integrated sustainability as a key

itself, integrating an important number of

approached this challenge. It is obvious

pillar of this process of transformation, and

services and different kinds of suppliers.

that the results achieved in Calviá have

it also aims to be recognised as an excellent,

Hotel, destination and community: what

responsible and sustainable company.

is Meliá’s vision of the perfect relationship between these three players? Any company, regardless of its sector, must be managed under a number of principles of ethical business and responsibility. Respecting these principles, and integrating

encouraged other destinations to push for change: it is an inspiring incentive.

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with which it operates, in addition

In addition, according to Escarrer,

to having the moral duty of being

“These results are two-fold, a sort of

an engine and example for society

win-win situation for the company

and the rest of the sector regarding

as well as for the destinations: on

these

and

the one hand, the repositioned

proving, with facts and figures,

hotels have increased their average

that the transformation of obsolete

income by up to 300%, such as our

destinations is not only possible,

Ibiza hotels, while the increase

but profitable”.

has been 98% in Magaluf – they

kinds

changes,

have increased their margins and

This also goes for the company’s new openings that will take place in 2017 and 2018 in

extended the seasons staying open longer. These processes

important destinations where it does not yet operate,

have had a very favourable impact on the destinations

such as Venice, Iguazú Falls, the Maldives, Serengeti,

leading to a 94% increase in purchases from local suppliers,

Dubai (with the ME Dubai, designed by Zaha Hadid).

and a 45% rise in direct employment.”

“In our company, we focus a great deal on newly built hotels, to principles of sustainable construction, and we implement systems of energy and water efficiency, waste management, etc. in all our establishments. In addition, we are committed to social and economic responsibility, supporting and including communities as we believe in the power of tourism as an engine for the social and economic development of communities.”

THE FRUITS OF THE HARVEST The results of these investments are already visible. If we compare our 2016 data with those of 2012, our room revenues in Magaluf ’s hotels has grown by 98%; RevPar (revenue per available room) has increased by 83%; our gross profit margin by 56% and EBITDA by 67%. In addition, the company has enhanced its positioning and, thanks to its hugely successful digital adaptation, sales via melia.com have increased by 175%.

ALFONSO DEL POYO VICE PRESIDENT SPAIN

“Spain is a consolidated market for us in which we are very strong thanks to the unbeatable locations of our hotels and the recognition achieved by our brands,” remarks Del Poyo, who adds that “the group, along with its partners, has invested over 500 million Euros between 2011 and 2016 in urban and holiday hotels.” This is a substantial enhancement which, in addition, allows for “important growth in consumption within the hotels, and in the time our guests spend working in them or meeting in their lobbies,” together with “the evolution of an international kind of guest STYLE

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whose numbers are increasing – particularly British and from northern Europe.”

Creating shared value, one of the company’s basic principles for all its destinations.

The Observatory I N T E RV I E W

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS:THE FOUR PILLARS OF REBRANDING

MARK HODDINOT CHIEF REAL ESTATE OFFICER OF MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL

ave sales increased since 2011 when

the participation of these partners with

Melia Hotels International opened new

regard to various elements of our projects

hotels and started to rejuvenate its mature

– different leisure, F&B and entertainment

hotels and reposition itself as a company? Have

attributes into our properties, such as Nikki

the company’s RevPar and GopPar increased?

Beach, Katmandu and Wave House.

Operating results for the hotels which have

What is it about Meliá that has attracted

been completely renovated and rebranded

investment from these funds? What did they

have seen exponential increases, and

find reassuring?

revenue and GOPs have generally thus

Meliá has been able to attract these partners

seen increases of between 60 and 500%,

because of 4 factors: the quality of the brand

depending on each individual property.

identity for the transformed properties; the quality of service in designing and

What has the role of international ‘joint ventures’ such as Starwood Capital Group, London

executing the renovations for a good cost;

& Regional or Avenue Capital been in this field?

the strong online distribution network that

“The transformation process would not have been possible without joint ventures with financial partners"

is able to draw potential value from the renovated hotels; and, last but not least, the credibility and solvency of Meliá in broader corporate and institutional terms with banks, public authorities, etc. Will this be applied to the company’s other destinations? Which ones? On what has the company focused regarding new incorporations?

Bearing in mind the large capital outlay

So far the renovation process has

needed for the renovations, and the timing

concentrated mainly on properties in

of the first phases of investment – which

the Balearics, the Costa del Sol, and

were made at the very beginning of the

Lanzarote, and we are gradually extending

recovery of the Spanish resort market in

it to the rest of the Canary Island hotels.

2012-14 when it was practically impossible

Additionally, it is important to mention

to obtain traditional financing – the

parallel transformation processes that we

transformation process would not have

have been undertaking in certain city hotels

been possible without joint ventures with

in places such as Barcelona, Madrid and

financial partners. The vision of starting

Seville, especially those with potential in

the process at that time thus enabled us to

the leisure segment.

execute much of the renovation work in an

In the Americas, we have transformed

improving market and this has proved

a hotel in Mexico that has now been

very beneficial.

rebranded the Paradisus Los Cabos. In

What about the role of other stakeholders?

general terms, our focus on development is

Public administrations have been crucial,

strong in areas such as China and South-

because without their involvement and

East Asian countries, the Americas (Latin

cooperation these kinds of processes are

America, the Caribbean and the United

simply not possible. Also, other hotel

States) and, of course, European capital

groups, leisure brands and retail firms

cities and the most coveted Mediterranean

have followed in our footsteps and have

destinations.

carried out significant refurbishments and transformations; a destination has other relevant players besides hotels. That’s why on our part, some of the transformation process has involved incorporating – via

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NEW DESTINATION

MELIÁ SHANGHAI HONGQIAO

CHINA

NOW

Hongqiao has emerged as one of the city’s most dynamic districts. Its brand-new convention centre, and its proximity to the airport, has turned it into a great business trip destination in China. The area also has streets full of charm, and is very well served for transport with the city centre. The new Meliá Shanghai brings together the best for the bleisure traveller: 187 rooms and some of the city’s most luxurious villas, Spanish food and contemporary design. Text: VICKY VILCHES

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Opposite, the Pearl Tower, a TV tower inaugurated in 1995 in the Pudong district, and one of Asia’s highest buildings: a true declaration of intent in one of Asia’s big business cities.

t is one of the symbols of China’s drive and

a whole district – in this case, the Hongqiao district, to the

Shanghai’s unstoppable calling for playing in the league of

west of the city. This is a new business zone that aspires to

the world’s big cities again. We are talking about the NECC:

compete with Pudong and offers many attractions for the

National Exhibition and Convention Centre. Not only is

bleisure traveller who visits China’s most populated city.

it the world’s – not just Asia’s – largest and most modern

And it is among the most fascinating ones, too.

exhibition centre but it is also the biggest single-building

On Gaojing Road – a pleasant street and a five-minute

complex on the planet. Its 28,000-square-meter hall that

walk from this new icon – is the brand-new Meliá

has no columns or pillars is simply impressive. Completed

Shanghai. This new multipurpose area’s urban planning

two years ago, this kind of project can change the scale of

was designed with special care, and next to the NECC are

PHOTO: IMAGE SOURCE / OANH.

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Above, façade of the hotel in the Hongqiao district, 10 minutes from the airport and the high-speed railway station of the same name. Below, the hotel’s entrance on Lidoway shopping street where you can find luxury brands, cafés, bookshops and restaurants.

offices, small shops, parks, pleasant cafés and restaurants. Meliá Hotels has chosen a strategic location for its arrival in this emblematic city, and for its second establishment in the Asian giant. The newly designed building has 187 modern rooms and “a very attractive design, whose objective was to combine traditional and contemporary Chinese art”, points out Lidia Barbi, Meliá’s Marketing Head in the Asia Pacific region. The hotel also has several traditional Chinese-style villas that can be rented for events or used as one of the city’s most luxurious and singular accommodations. The villas measure 400 square metres and have 200-square-metre gardens as well as all kinds of luxurious Asian details specially designed for

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families, company directors or honeymooners.

Above left, the hotel lobby, perfect for bleisure travellers and the hotel's garden with a terrace, and below left, relaxing interior garden overloked by some of the rooms, and Garbo bar, an atmospheric lounge for enjoying a drink or readind the newspaper over a coffee (open from 9.00 to 24.00)

Because of its proximity to the NECC, many business travellers decide to stay at this five-star hotel which not only has work areas, but also all conveniences and services for them to relax. The Meliá Shanghai offers yoga classes, has a heated pool to enjoy a swim after a day of work, and a fully-equipped spa. “Its Director Priyanka Chowdhury, originally from India, has won several international awards,” states Barbi. The YHI Spa options cover a wide range of therapies and treatments from China, India and the West, from hot-stone massages to reflexology. The Spanish touch is noticeable at Merkado, one of the hotel’s restaurants, whose food is starting to attract the locals. “Spanish food is very fashionable in China in

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From top to bottom, and from left to right, a 400-m² villa with a terrace and a 200-m² garden (and the possibility of having your own butler); the YHI Spa’s heated swimming pool; the spa’s Jacuzzi and treatment cabins (from foot reflexology to beauty treatments); Garbo bar, ideal for working and having a drink; and the Merkado restaurant, with both international cuisine and an à-la-carte menu.

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THE TIME IS GOLD IN THE CITY Central Shanghai is a stone’s throw from the modern underground (line 2) that is just a few metres from the hotel’s entrance. This is the city’s most extensive underground line and it transports visitors – without needing to change trains – to essential areas such as Pudong, the 21st-century modern financial hub, and Nanjing Road, the country’s major shopping street. Road traffic in Shanghai can be particularly heavy at rush hours so the underground gives you the possibility of saving valuable time – time for exploring one

PHOTOS: ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO / INTERFOTO.

of Asia’s most fascinating cities.

general, and in Shanghai in particular,” explains Andrea Barbi. At the Garbo bar, with one of the best cocktail lists in the area, international guests and locals mingle, especially after work. “Our clients were mostly business and local travellers at first, but now there is an increasing number of international guests and tourists who come to the city,” explains the Head of Marketing. One of its most remarkable assets is its proximity to Shanghai’s main transport connections – something important in a country this huge. The hotel is only 10 minutes from the Shanghai Hongqiao airport and the railway station. It is the airport that is the closest to the city centre; and from the station high-speed trains leave for the capital Beijing, as well as towards highly recommendable nearby cities such as Hangzhou, Suzhou and Zhujiajiao (considered to be the Venice of China) that can be visited in a day as the journey from Hongqiago station takes approximately half an hour.

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113 Above, the Nanjing Road East-Nanjing Dong Lu underground line and the Commercial Magnetic Levitation Train (Magrev), the world's fastest train.

Left, the 846m-long Nanpu Bridge, over one of this mega city’s main rivers. Below, the Yuyuan gardens (1559) with ponds and pavilions, the skyline in the background and the old city wall a stone’s throw away.

WHAT TO DO IN

SHANGHAI Delving into its turbulent history is useful for understanding one of Asia’s most thriving cities, an icon of China’s dynamic opening-up. Filled with surprises and contrasts, it offers visitors historical gardens, noisy alleys, Asian flavours, and some of the most avant-garde buildings on the continent. TEXT: VICKY VILCHES

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ts name conjures up exotic echoes

main commercial and industrial

of a faraway and cosmopolitan

centre. Its strategic location on the

destination, a cultural crossroads

Yangtze River was an essential

able to attract a wide range of

asset for trade with the West. The

characters from Bible peddlers to

consequences of the Opium Wars

high-class prostitutes. A city of

marked the city’s personality. Some

contrasts, its urban landscape is a

areas were “administrated” by

mixture of futuristic skyscrapers, old

Western nations: Britain, France

temples and some art deco gems –

and America. In 1932, it was the

the latter a product of its colonial

fifth biggest city in the world,

past. China’s most populated and

home to 700,000 foreigners. In 1937,

dynamic city cannot be understood

it fell to the Japanese and their

without exploring some of its more

occupation lasted until 1945. It was

recent history. In the early 19th

here that Mao founded the Chinese

century, Shanghai became China’s

Communist Party, and when the Revolution triumphed in 1949, some of the foreign businesspeople moved to Hong Kong. Little by little, the country’s most populous city is recovering its old vibrancy; today it

PHOTOS: ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO / GETTYIMAGES.

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PHOTOS: ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO / GETTYIMAGES / RADIUS IMAGES.

Above, the Shanghai Museum, devoted to ancient Chinese art, is located in the People’s Square. Below, Art Deco architecture in the historical area of the French Concession (1849-1946), so named at the end of the Second Opium War.

shore is Pudong, whose silhouette can be seen from the Bund or by boat: today it is one of China’s most iconic skylines. Pudong has many attractions – perhaps the most famous is the TV Tower or “Pearl

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is the economic engine of this Asian

the Bund by the Western powers

of the East”, one of the highest

giant, the country’s best showcase,

of the day. The most emblematic

buildings in the world, and the most

and is the most open and dynamic

buildings of the colonial era can be

visited in the city. It has lookouts

city in China.

found here: 52 buildings in different

on different levels (one of them

All this mixture – this legacy,

styles, from classical to renaissance

with a glass floor and not suitable

this new energy – is obvious in

with a good number of them in the

for those who suffer from a fear of

the city and explains its particular

elegant art-deco style. Here were the

heights), and a revolving restaurant.

idiosyncrasy. Perhaps the most iconic

first headquarters of the Hongkong

The views of this huge city are

place to get a general idea of this

and Shanghai Bank, the customs

spectacular from here.

exciting mosaic is the waterfront,

building, the meteorological station,

its famous riverside walk, called

and the Peace Hotel. After walking along the Bund,

After enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the city, it is a good idea to focus on what is close by. It is precisely

visitors can take a short cruise on the

in the small alleys, some of them

Huangpu river – a freshwater divide

behind the big avenues, where one

between 20th-century Shanghai

“reencounters” China. This happens,

and the city it is today. On the other

for instance, along the streets near

PHOTOS: GETTYIMAGES / ROBERTHARDING / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO.

Nanjing Road, the city’s main

only exist in Shanghai, are full of

shopping street with its neon lights,

charm; and sometimes, also of

its crowds, department stores, shops

history. In one of these houses,

that are more or less similar to those

Mao founded the powerful Chinese

in cities such as New York or London.

Communist Party and today it

Maybe this is why it is a good idea

is a museum that can be visited.

to seek out some the more unique

Also open to the public are the

establishments. A visit to one of the

Yuyuan gardens, the city’s oldest,

somewhat “roguish” must also be

big chemist’s on Nanjing Road is a

and among the most beautiful in

experienced after dark. Pudong’s

truly interesting experience: they

China. This tour through traditional

skyline is better appreciated at

sell all manner of insects and herbs

Shanghai will also take you to the

night. On the Bund there are many

that have been used for thousands of

Jade Buddha Temple, the city’s

good bars with live jazz music,

years in traditional Chinese medicine,

most important Buddhist place of

and the perfect finale for the

yet are perhaps located next door to

worship, remarkable not so much

evening is the already classic M1NT,

an Apple or Uniqlo shop.

for its architecture but for the

the nightclub par excellence.

valuable sculptures of Buddha that

Don’t be alarmed by the sharks in

in the French Concession, one of the

it houses. On the other hand, the

its aquariums!

city’s most interesting districts and

Jing’an temple is surprising for its

today a mecca for hipsters. Its small

traditional Chinese architecture and

boutiques and cafés are reminiscent

its contrast with the surrounding

of Shoreditch. Its traditional

modern buildings. Yet again, the city

constructions, or shikumens, that

flaunts its duality.

More beautiful shops can be found

Left, ancient Chinese sculptures at the Shanghai Museum on central Nanjing Road and, far left, the atmosphere along the same road – Shanghai’s main shopping street. Below, dishes at one of the city’s restaurants and neon lights at night on Nanjing Road.

A city with a reputation for being

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IN THE CITY

BARCELONA

LOOKING OVER THE

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The Montjuic hill, strategically located on a side of the port, offers one of the best panoramic views of Barcelona.

It is now 25 years since the Olympic flame was lit in the Cauldron at the Palau Sant Jordi, inaugurating the Olympic Games which put Barcelona on the map. After a massive makeover to enhance the city’s beauty and adapt it to the biggest sports event ever celebrated, it became a truly attractive destination – and it is still so, more than ever. Let’s take a tour of Barcelona and its most emblematic districts. Text: YVONNE SOLÉ Photos: FÉLIX LORENZO

MEDITERRANEAN

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“A la ville de... Barcelona”

T Below, enjoying the views from the Muelle de España quay, at the old port, where the Maremagnum commercial mall is located.

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his phrase by Antonio Samaranch marked the

España, visit the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Catalonia’s

beginning of the Olympic fever that made its mark on

National Art Museum (at the National Palace) or the Joan

the city beyond the summer of 1992. One of the most

Miró Foundation. A perfect ending for a day at Montjuic

noticeable changes in the city’s urban planning design

is the night show of lights and music at the Font Màgica,

took place in Montjuic, which became very different from

close to Plaza España.

the mountain described by Ruiz Zafón in his books. In

However, if ever a change fully transformed Barcelona,

order to enjoy it from every angle it is best to access it from

turning it into the city it is today – cosmopolitan,

the seafront side and go up the hill by chairlift – or better

innovative and deeply Mediterranean – it was the

still, by cable car – to admire the exceptional views of the

makeover of the port area of la Barceloneta and Poble

port and beaches along the way. Once at the top, there are

Nou where the Melià Barcelona Sky is located. This is

many options to choose from depending on your personal

why Barcelona’s beaches were reinvigorated and the

taste: visit the castle, the Olympic Ring (including the

city at last turned its eyes towards the sea and brought it

Palau Sant Jordi and the telecommunications tower

closer to the city’s inhabitants. Since then, la Barceloneta

is one of the city’s most popular and lively districts,

picnic in one of the parks – such as the Joan Brossa or the

steeped in history and with a seafaring feel. Apart from

Mossén Jacinto Verdaguer parks – or, on the way to Plaza

being naturally attractive, its narrow streets and buildings

MELIÀ BARCELONA SKY Designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, the skyscraper (where the hotel is located) and its façade compose a familiar picture of the attractive district of Poble Nou, right on La Diagonal avenue and a few steps from Barcelona’s International Convention Centre (and from the beach!). Perfect for all clients who are Bleisure (leisure plus business) lovers, the hotel invites guests to experience the essence of Mediterranean life from its 360º terrace at The Swimming Pool (Le Pool), the Dos Cielos Barcelona restaurant – owned by famous chefs the Torres brothers, and much more (melia.com).

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the opposite direction, but still along the coastline, is the Olympic Village, with its marina and more family-friendly beaches. Here you will find a succession of many very cool venues to enjoy a good dinner of fresh fish as well as many fashionable chill-out bars. Going north, down the final stretch of La Diagonal avenue – the main axis of a new district created at the beginning of the 20th century – you reach the area where the Tryp Condal Mar is located. The Forum Park, partly built on reclaimed land, was designed to celebrate the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures, and the urban area, that until then was full of old abandoned factories, The Port Vell, at the end of Las Ramblas, is perfect for lunch by the sea or for shopping. Right, the Agbar Tower, an iconic skyscraper that is illuminated at night. STYLE

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darkened by the salty air are home to the Museum of

was rehabilitated. The area is a showcase for the city’s

Catalonian History and the famous Watch Tower – the

architecture thanks to the many skyscrapers, hotels and

oldest construction in the area, built in 1772 as the port’s

museums. Even the parks in this area, like the sustainable

lighthouse. Close by are the Maremagnum shopping mall

14-hectare Parc de Diagonal Mar, designed by Miralles-

at Port Vell that has a spectacular pivoting gangway; the

Tagliabue architecture studio, are innovative.

Aquarium and the always-present Las Golondrinas, ideal vessels for enjoying Barcelona’s skyline from the sea. In

THE UPPER SIDE Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is the city’s upper side, so called both for its location and for being a district whose inhabitants have high purchasing power. Sarrià maintained its independence from Barcelona until 1921. However, despite its absorption, it has been able

TRYP CONDAL MAR Recognised for its avant-garde design, it is located near the Mar Bella beach and the Diagonal Mar shopping mall. Even though it is not located in the city centre, its proximity to the International Convention Centre and its functionality make it an excellent option. Service and attention are in keeping with the facilities, but the variety and quality of its buffet breakfast is truly outstanding (on the right), as is the delightful snack bar space (top right) and its cosy, well-lit comfortable rooms, not to mention a fully-equipped gym. Below, another ace up the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleeve: a rooftop swimming pool with views (melia.com).

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to keep the feel of a residential area virtually intact and has quiet narrow streets, dotted with tree-filled squares and the Tibidabo attractions – which offer incredible panoramic views of the city. The Melià Barcelona Sarrià is named after the Sarrià avenue, one of the district’s axes and an excellent starting point for a pleasant walk down La Diagonal avenue to the Gracia district, one of the oldest and liveliest. It is also the way to the Güell Park, another wonderful work by Gaudí, although perhaps the most visited one is the still unfinished Sagrada Familia (under construction until 2026)

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From top to bottom, the modernist building of La Pedrera, by architect Antonio Gaudí; two youngsters enjoying the views from the Güell Park; and a shop on Las Ramblas.

in the Eixample, the urban planning design headed by Ildefons Cerdà who has organised this part of the city into identical blocks. From the hotel you can wander through this area to go down to the city centre. On your way you will see the so-called golden mile – Paseo de Gracia – a

MELIÀ BARCELONA SARRIÀ This large urban hotel is located right on La Diagonal avenue, next to the city’s trendiest venues and most iconic monuments: the Sagrada Familia, the Güell Park, Paseo de Gracia and La Pedrera, and less than 5 minutes from the Camp Nou. Its rooms and facilities, including a fabulous YHI Wellness spa, are among its highlights, as are its interesting spaces for conferences and meetings (melia.com).

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Above, a picturesque corner in the Born, in the Picasso Museum district. Right, stalls at La Boquería market; and the Santa María del Mar Gothic cathedral.

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perfect place to window shop and admire the Batlló and

close to the cathedral and the well-preserved Call, the

Pedrera houses – further gems of Barcelona’s modernist

old Jewish quarter. Here, too, is the city’s most famous

heritage. This wide street leads to Plaza Cataluña: this is

market, La Boquería. Another market – smaller but also

the beginning of the always-lively Las Ramblas, which

worth visiting – is that of Santa Caterina on the other

will take you to the statue of Columbus, the shipyards

side of Via Laietana and in the Born: a favourite district

and the sea. Las Ramblas is part of the Gothic district – the

of artists, designers and hipsters. Here, art shops mix

old medieval part of Barcelona. Fortunately, its structure

with interior design, vintage clothes, and quality foodie

has been preserved as has its maze of small streets, with

shops. It all has an authentic and sophisticated flavour

charming little corners, squares that are true gems – such

enhanced by its narrow streets and buildings with ornate

as the Real, the Rey and the small Neri squares – very

balconies with potted plants, charming squares where there is always live music and a wide range of cultural activities: the Picasso Museum, the old Born market (now housing a medieval excavation site), countless galleries and the imposing Santa María del Mar, better known as the Cathedral of the Sea.

TRYP BARCELONA AEROPUERTO With a free airport-hotel shuttle service operating 24 hours a day, this hotel was designed for guests who want to get away from the noise and stress of the airport while waiting for their connecting flight. Its rooms have comfortable king-size or twin beds that are perfect for a good rest. A healthy and varied buffet breakfast is completed by a courtesy breakfast service for very early morning flights and is available from 4.30 a.m. onwards. In addition, the hotel has a gym and 10 meeting and convention rooms that can hold up to 300 people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 of the rooms have windows to allow in the daylight (melia.com).

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TRENDY

2TOP MOROCCO

ROAD TRIPS

Morocco boasts some of the richest cities on the planet in terms of culture, but also hundreds of kilometres of coastline, and the beauty both of its small villages and wild desert. There are so many places to visit that this is the perfect destination for enjoying classic road trips. There are two perfect routes, one Mediterranean and the other Atlantic. Both begin on the coast and go into the heart of Morocco. Let’s go! Text: ÁLVARO ANGLADA

TAGHAZOUT

PLAYING IN MOROCCO’S SEA

First came the surfers who put a couple of beaches with pristine sand and good waves on the map and enjoyed them until the secret was out. But, Taghazout is still a little secret. Situated between the Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic, and with incredible natural beauty, Taghazout can be said to have its own climate, with warm temperatures all year round. This little fishing village of low houses and colourful STYLE

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boats is still unknown to mass tourism. What a relief.

Only known to the international surfing community, its streets are filled with charm thanks to shops specialising in surfboards and wetsuits, and its biggest highlight is a long, wild beach, where surfers wait for the best waves. Taghazout Bay, close to Anchor Point, is the best stretch in the country for water sports. Ready to enjoy its charms, I go to the Sol House Taghazout Bay-Surf hotel where I will sleep in one of its wooden bungalows facing

Above, the hotel’s bungalows by the sea on Taghazout Bay, a surfing mecca south of Europe. Below, exotic and picturesque sunset on the beaches of Taghazout, a Berber fishing village.

the sea and will be able to improve my board skills at its surfing school. “This is our lifestyle here,” Zakaria El Ouati’s smile seems to convey. The General Manager of this little oasis belonging to the Meliá chain claims, “We can offer our clients anything they wish, from preparing any local culinary speciality, to reserving a space for them on our private beach.” This lifestyle is doubtless one that nobody can tire of. Sand and salty air, a few waves, delicious food,

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Not far to the north, Essaouira claims its right to fame. It has always been a favourite place on the coast and it is still a must-visit. Its beaches are wonderful, but what has certainly increased its fame is its medina, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 18th-century walls surrounding it guard a treasure: straight lines and an orderly urban layout that make this town unique. “The

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and the Atlantic Ocean murmuring in the background.

Well-Planned” is the approximate meaning of its name.

This is paradise. In its 75 bungalows there are exactly

I see a succession of simple houses painted white and

91 pieces of this paradise: the number of rooms – either

blue and decorated with beautifully carved doors and

single, double, triple or suites – at the hotel, equipped with

windows on my way to the Moulay Hassan Square that

all kinds of amenities. The pet-friendly surfing school has

is the cultural epicentre of the city and scattered with

the best surf instructors in the area to teach you how to

cafés, art galleries and woodcarving workshops. They

ride the waves. It also has a spa and a Moroccan hamman

say Essaouira smells of timber and sea, and it is true. The

for relaxing after a long day at the beach: ideal places to

former, because of the mastery of its woodcarving artisans

unwind and tune into nature. Moreover, a perfect starting

who are famous all over the country, and the latter because

point for discovering Morocco’s Atlantic coast.

of its seafaring ways with the sea as part of its life and at the heart of its inhabitants. After several days of surfing and life by the sea, I say goodbye to Taghazout and take the A7 highway that connects the Atlantic coast with the country’s centre towards my next destination. Marrakech confirms its

Above, the hotel’s delightful bungalows with private balconies and deck chairs of different sizes (for one or several people, with views of the sea...). Below, a double room; the hotel’s swimming pool; and water sports on the beach.

www.teka.com

A REAL HOME

PHOTOS: TOURISM OF MOROCCO.

fame when seen with one’s own eyes. The Jemaa El-Fna Square is a full-on immersion. Everything you always imagined to be typical about Morocco is here. I love coming at dusk and going up to one of the rooftops that that look down on it from above: from there, the square glows like a shooting star. And when I feel hungry, I always get it right – perhaps because you cannot fail here: dinner at any of the stall restaurants that fill the square is the beginning of a culinary journey with a thousand and one flavours for company.

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avant-garde design that now is an unmistakable hallmark

Daytime is for experiencing the city. In one small

of Marrakech. There are many boutiques brimming with

place, ocean blue floods walls and buildings: it is the

exquisite made-in-Morocco items scattered throughout

Majorelle Garden. I feel that an army of cactus and palm

the old medina. At Heritage Berbère they sell the fragrance

trees welcome me into the most famous lush garden in

of the country in small bottles; and at 33 Rue Majorelle

Marrakech. Designed by painter Jacques Majorelle in

the modernity of Moroccan design is captured in a select

1922 it was later recovered by iconic French designer

range of items made by young local artisans.

Yves Saint Laurent who found in the spirit of Morocco

The splendid Bahia and Badi Palaces, as well as the

inspiration for his wonderful creations. A small museum

unforgettable Ben Youssef Madrasa, end my meanderings

and a stylishly cosy café are meeting points for lovers of

in the city. Within the Madrasa’s walls, I think of the

natural beauty. It was in the 80s, in the 20th-century, when

students who used to come here to learn the Koran and

the designer arrived in this city, bringing with him the

of their power of concentration as I cannot take my eyes off the mosaics that decorate its walls. In its courtyard, so far from the Atlantic, Taghazout Beach comes to mind and I realise that the sea is also here, and that the inland part of this country and its coasts complement each other as a unique and memorable whole.

Above, view of the port of the town of Essaouira, where there is also an interesting old medina. Below, the iconic Jemaa El-Fna Square in Marrakech; the Ben Youssef Madrasa, also in Marrakech; a flower stall in the city’s central market; and an indoor fountain in the Ben Youssef Madrasa.

SAÏDIA INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN

No matter if you have visited a million times or it is your first visit; Morocco always has an ace up its sleeve. A couple of weeks and a car are enough to connect the Mediterranean with the country’s inland regions. From the sea to the imperial cities, Nature and civilisation, two opposites which complement each other in a perfect trip. Morocco has a secret on its eastern Mediterranean coast. Almost on the border with Algeria is an endless beach that passes by the Saïdia village. Here, Meliá has two gems: the Meliá Saïdia Beach and the Meliá Saïdia Garden. The General Manager Philippe Queriaud speaks about what makes them the perfect places to unwind and disconnect from the world. Alone, with your partner or in an all-inclusive family plan, both hotels cover the needs of their guests, becoming almost a home away from home for them. The Meliá Saïdia Beach is a seafront hotel with rooms and suites that either overlook the sea or the luxuriant and exotic garden. A highlight where one can indulge oneself is at its YHI spa. As for the Meliá Saïdia Garden, its charming architecture reminds me of the white villages on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It is surrounded by vegetation and very close to the 18-hole golf course at the Med-Saïdia complex, at whose school you can learn how to use the various golf clubs or keep on improving your handicap. Of course, gastronomy is an absolute protagonist at both places. Run by well-known chefs, the food is 100% local and reflects its fresh, quality produce, and its fish and seafood is like nowhere else. In addition to Moroccan dishes, these resorts have restaurants specialised in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Do not miss the delicate and surprising tajines. And so, the possibilities are endless. Close by are the villages of Saïdia – known as “the Blue Pearl” – and the fascinating Oujda. The coast also offers fabulous excursions for enjoying this exuberant Mediterranean area. Cape Three Forks should not be missed as it has a much more rugged look than the gentle, idyllic beach at Saïdia. My body is now ready and my spirit is inquisitive STYLE

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so I start my road trip and set off inland with my sights

PHOTOS: TOURISM OF MOROCCO.

Left, the 18th century Nejjarine fountain in Fez, with typical Moroccan tiles. Below, the lobby at the MeliĂĄ SaĂŻdia Garden resort, not far from the beaches and imperial city of Fez; and a detail of a breakfast prepared with products typical of this imperial city.

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Left, the resort’s indoor pool and relaxation area at the spa, perfect for unwinding and leaving stress behind. Below, inside the Zellij restaurant that serves Moroccan haute cuisine – it is one of the four restaurants at the resort; and the spa’s relaxation area.

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set on one of the country’s imperial cities: Fez, Morocco’s

small performances acted out by the hands of artisans,

cultural capital city.

reminding us that before industrialisation there was a time

The Bab Bou Jeloud, gateway to the old medina, is

when care and wisdom, transmitted from one generation

called the Blue Door for its exquisite tiles that reflect the

to the next, could create fascinating objects. This imperial

colour of sea. Thanks to them, I start to be carried away

city still preserves its medieval charm within its high walls,

by the colours of the old city. Cafés, crafts stalls and the

but technology gets along well with it too, and I use my

smell of mint – this will be the scent of Fez that will stay

app to continue my walkabout of its streets. In the past,

in my memory. Everywhere you can see what seem to be

it must have been a real feat to navigate this enormous labyrinth with over 9,000 alleyways without losing your way, but getting lost always has a special charm. This is 21st-century Fez, a mixture of modernity and history. So much so that before anybody in Oxford and Cambridge first discussed philosophy or arithmetic, Fez was already

Everyone deserves the coffee they love

This coffee was grown by UTZ certified farmers. www.utz.org

PHOTO: CRISTOBAL PRADO.

Left, shopping is one of Morocco’s big attractions. Souks filled with picturesque and profusely decorated artisanal items. Below, the old Roman town of Volubilis – now a World Heritage Site – whose wealth came from the olive oil trade is only 20 kilometres north of Meknes.

at the forefront as it had a university. The Qarawiyyin Madrasa – founded in 859 thanks to the wish of a woman who loved culture and teaching, Fatima Muhammad AlFihri – is the longest standing in the world. A true treasure in every sense. In addition to the university, there is also a mosque on the premises. PHOTO: TOURISM OF MOROCCO.

At dusk, someone recommends that I go to the Merenid Tombs that have the best views over the city. After admiring the sunset, I leave Fez behind to head towards another imperial city, one that is a bit older. Volubilis, built by the Romans, is one of the most impressive towns in North Africa. Some remnants of that splendour remain in its ruins that have been declared

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a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Coloured mosaics

this archaeological complex that takes us back to the

and very tall arches help to offer me a picture of what

past. Nature, of an almost phosphorescent green, tries to

this city must have been like, one that had a touch of

conquer ground again, thus creating a unique landscape.

melancholy but also beauty. The capitol, the forum and

This last image is one more of the many that I experienced

the triumphal arch are some of the unique treasures of

on my adventure. Looking back, the different stretches of my trip from the Mediterranean to the gateways of the Atlas Mountains have made me understand that Morocco has many sides – but all of them most certainly of a single and wonderful coin. I say goodbye, hoping to enjoy all its charms again.

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FUN DESTINATION

ME SITGES TERRAMAR It was destined to become a benchmark of the avant-garde, gastronomy and nightlife in the most exclusive destination along Barcelona’s coastline. Located at one end of the seafront promenade, this historical and refurbished hotel is a beacon that leads to a world of sensations. Text: JOSÉ MARÍA DE PABLO

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ensual and ensitive place

PHOTO: FÃ&#x2030;LIX LORENZO.

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his winter, the pioneering and very special

town of Sitges is again included on the list of the most exclusive fun destinations in the world. The reopening of the historical Terramar hotel – which was the first luxury lifestyle establishment in Sitges – that is part of the cuttingedge concept of the Me by Meliá brand, is the trigger that has changed the way you can have fun on the coast of the Garraf region, in Barcelona. The new Me Sitges Terramar replaces the first hotel that was opened on the Catalonian coastline, the Terramar Palace, inaugurated in 1933 to cater to the world’s jet set in the first third of the 20th century. This is how René Hoeltschl, the hotel’s General Manager, views it: “The Me Sitges Terramar will have a special feel, will be a space where you feel like staying and living a very complete experience, completely different from anything you have ever known. We will become the place to be on Sitges’ local scene.” In order to achieve this, René and his team have created a unique atmosphere with a combination of music, lighting, scents, interior design and the exceptional staff that all Me by Meliá establishments have – and all this spiced up by the personality of the special, laidback destination of Sitges. Its 213 rooms, two restaurants, various bars and cafés, and a spectacular beach club are the letters of introduction of a hotel that will bring to this quiet and exclusive place on Sitges’ seafront promenade the most

Primer de Maig – is a world-class benchmark for gay-

famous DJs on the national and international scenes.

friendly nightlife. Every evening at dusk its terraces,

The music sessions at the Me Sitges’ Beach Club will

particularly those that cross the Carrer Joan Tarrida,

create a feeling of wellbeing and make the Mediterranean

become a catwalk where the desire for privacy merges

sunsets even more magical. This will no doubt be the

with the desire to have fun.

perfect place to start the evening. With a cocktail in your hand, every evening at the Me Sitges’ Beach Club – the new place to see and be seen at –

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The streets are a party until 4 in the morning at venues such as Parrot, a classic place that opened in 1982 and which is still one of the town’s most crowded places.

a fun night filled with surprises begins that continues at a

Another place to consider is La Villa, famous for a

faster pace in the venues of Sitges’ historical centre where

stunning terrace inside, the best cocktails in the area, and

a large part of the nightspots are concentrated.

its Men in Kilts party celebrated during Carnival time: an

The iconic “Carrer del Pecat” – officially, the Carrer

unmissable yearly event on Sitges’ winter calendar. Right by the sea, things also happen at night. Beach bars – that during the day serve sandwiches, paella and sangria – shed their skins to become ideal places for having a drink with the sound of the sea in the background. This is the case of Pic Nic, on the Bassa

From left to right and from top to bottom, Oyster, the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bar, serving oysters, king crab and champagne and a select range of cheeses, wines and cavas; the swimming pool; the terrace and the Beso Beach Club, which will open in 2018; and below, a detail of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaches.

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Rodona beach, which transforms itself at dusk into Pique Nique, the favourite chill-out venue of the beau monde. On the San Sebastián beach, on the other side of La Punta, is the Vivero Beach Club, an elegant chill-out venue with a restaurant suspended over the Mediterranean and with views of the town’s historical centre. This is usually the place chosen to celebrate events organised by luxury brands, as its location on top of a cliff turns it into a truly special place. A tour of Sitges’ beach bars can finish on the Balmins beach, a group of coves located just before the

GASTRONOMY

Port Esportiu de Aiguadolç. Nudists and dressed bathers

The Garraf region, so close to Barcelona, has not lagged

– the latter wearing the bare minimum – share the beach

behind the boom of Catalonia’s new cuisine – so rich in

and the Ibizan-style chill-out venue of La Caleta, tastefully

traditional recipes and exceptionally fresh local produce.

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candlelit evening.

The Me Sitges Terramar hotel has two restaurants, Beso and Beso Beach, whose dishes boldly reinterpret traditional Mediterranean and Basque recipes. René Hoeltschl admits that “Beso Beach is much more than a restaurant; it is a veritable experience in itself. A fascinating space to enjoy the best food and cocktails and much more, in a unique location – just by the beach, and

From left to right and from top to bottom, detail of a Junior Suite room; a Chic Suite with views of the Mediterranean, and below, the bathroom of a room.

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Adult-ONLY GETAWAY AWAITS

4 new concepts in the best beach destinations.

on the sand – while you bask in the sun and the sea breeze”. Beyond the Me Sitges, in the town centre, there are different places to savour good food. You can start with traditional restaurants such as Fragata, Mare Nostrum and La Nansa – open since the 60s – next to the Passeig de la Rivera, almost at the foot of the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla Church, a town icon and popularly known as La Punta. Mediterranean recipes are wonderfully cooked at all of them: rice, paella, fish and seafood – you cannot find fresher produce. The philosophy of tapas and dishes to share is also gaining ground on the streets of the historical town. On the “five streets”, an

fried squid rings. On the same street is La Punta, located

always lively crossroads, is El Cable, a traditional family

in a typical Sitges house with a courtyard terrace; a tavern

bar opened in 1940: probably the favourite of the locals

with a French soul where you can try some of its most

who come here to enjoy their Spanish potato omelette or

popular tapas. The Bar La Guineu also has a big terrace to enjoy tapas in one of the town’s most charming places. On the Carrer Sant Bonaventura, a number of restaurants offer extraordinarily creative tapas. El Pou, a beautiful venue with an industrial feel, serves cylindrical

Above, the seafront promenade illuminated at night, with the Saint Bartomeu Church – one of Sitges’ most representative monuments – in the background. Below left, poster of Sitges’ International Fantasy Film Festival.

patatas bravas stuffed with this spicy sauce loved by everyone; and at Mamá 5 con Cariño, a fun weekly dragqueen spectacle can be enjoyed while indulging in their international cuisine.

CULTURAL PLANS The Me Sitges Terramar is famous for its connection with avant-garde culture. All year round, music, art and design are the protagonists of unique events that give a new lease of life not only to the summer, but also to Sitges’ famous Carnival and Gay Pride events – in 2017, a float sponsored by the Me Sitges hotel took part at Madrid’s World Pride parade. The Sitges’ Film Festival will have special importance for the new hotel, as the Meliá group is particularly involved with it. Since 1992, the Auditorium at the Meliá Sitges, the other establishment of this chain in Garraf’s biggest town, is the main stage for the prestigious Fantasy Film Festival’s screenings and awards ceremonies that have attracted both stars and fans of the fantasy genre for 50 years. The festival brims with mystery and liveliness both at the monumental spaces and at STYLE

the Maricel Palace which houses fantasy-themed exhibitions; and also at the

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San Sebastián beach where cinematographic-related gadgets are sold, and where the iconic Zombie Walk starts – a parade of 350 living dead who stagger for hours along the streets before indulging in the nightlife to mix with the already relaxed stars of the seventh art and have drinks in bars hidden in the whitewashed alleys of La Punta, or sing, microphone in hand, at a karaoke bar in Aiguadolç.

Y O U R TA S T E S , R E F I N E D STEP INTO A W ORLD OF THE EXCEP TIONAL

Your invitation into Spanish luxury #in s p ired b y red

S PA I N • C H I N A • I N DO N E S I A • I TA LY • VEN E Z U EL A • BR A Z I L I n f o r m at io n an d re s ervatio n s at y o ur travel agen c y o r gran m elia.c o m

The spaces in the Innside hotels, located in urban environments, break with all previous architecture and design: multi-functional spaces that prioritise comfort for bleisure guests.

• OUR PARTNERS • A CONCEPT OF FITNESS • A PASSION FOR GOLF • SUSTAINABILITY • AWARDS

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OUR PARTNERS CAROLINA MARÍN: “I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WINNING MORE TITLES AND MAKING HISTORY”

friend Laura to her training sessions. We were 8, and I was impressed by the shuttlecock and the shape of the racket. As soon as I tried it, I loved it. From then onward, there have been hours and hours of work… How was your Olympic gold medal received in your hometown?

It was spectacular. The warm reception I had when I got back can’t it has been a long time since I last

be described in words. In fact, I can’t

Meliá Hotels International last April,

won a Super Series; this year I lost in

hold back the tears at times.

few titles are hard to win for this

several finals, and my results were

From what sportspeople do you

sportswoman from Huelva. 2016

not as good I would have liked. In

draw inspiration in your daily life?

Olympic badminton champion

addition, I was handed a very tough

I often speak of Rafa Nadal because

in Río de Janeiro, two-time world

draw. I am very happy.

he is the best example for me to

ppointed Ambassador for

champion and three-time European

150

follow. In my opinion, he is the best

of the year? In what championships

Spanish sportsperson of all time. I

Japan Super Series Open.

will you take part?

am also very inspired by the women

I actually have quite a number of

who contribute to the growth of our

tournaments scheduled: Denmark,

sport (no matter if they win titles

to you?

France, China, Hong Kong, Dubai…

or not). Although today we are not

It has made me very happy for

and the Danish league, which takes

in the same situation as some years

a number of reasons, although

place on different days from now

ago: it’s still not easy being a woman

winning is always a true pleasure:

until the end of the year.

and being outstanding in a sport.

What does this latest title mean

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What are your plans for the rest

champion, she has just won the

You are a pioneer. How is it that a girl from Huelva has reached the top position in a sport always dominated by Asian players? It began after I accompanied my

Above, sportswoman Carolina Marín posing with her gold medal for badminton at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Left, the sportswoman with Meliá Hotels International’s CEO Gabriel Escarrer on her appointment as Ambassador for the brand at the Meliá Castilla, in Madrid. Her sponsor agreement is mainly focused on the Asia Pacific region where the hotel group expects to have 40 establishments (it currently has 17).

WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

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OUR PARTNERS “THE FACT THAT A BRAND SUCH AS MELIÁ NOTICED ME, REALISING THAT I COULD DO MY BIT IN ITS EXPANSION IN ASIA, IS VERY SPECIAL.”

You are a well-known personality

Asia, is very special. I feel totally

future?

continent?

comfortable in this role, and I enjoy

I am studying physiotherapy

They are different in some aspects

my stays at its hotels during all my

at the UCAM. I find this discipline

thanks to their culture and traditions

competitions all over the world.

very appealing, but I can only take

Why get involved with a brand

a few classes as I have to combine it

specific ones). However, they live

like this?

with my training and competitions.

life in a way that, in many cases, we

It is an exponent of a highly

I don’t really know what I’ll do in

should learn from.

prestigious Spanish brand, both

the future. Right now, I’m focused

nationally and internationally, and

on my sport and my career as a

recommend?

it conveys its values of quality,

badminton player.

There are incredible cities, but I

honesty with its guests, effort and

seldom get to enjoy them or really

commitment throughout the world.

Which cities would you

get to know them. I would invite anybody to come with me to a city

What is your next sports goal? I would like to continue winning more titles and making history. What sporting values should

in Indonesia or India, and also to

be conveyed to society and to the

discover how people live the world

business world?

of badminton there.

I believe it is essential to embrace

How do you feel in your new role

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How do you envision the

in Asia. What attracts you to that

(of course, each country has their

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could do my bit in its expansion in

values such as effort, teamwork,

as Ambassador for the Meliá group?

reliability, self-criticism... I know that

The fact that a brand such as

many people have internalised them

Meliá noticed me, realising that I

through sport.

Above, the Olympic champion at a badminton competition, one of the sports in Asia with the biggest number of followers. Below, posing with one of her many fans.

A CONCEPT OF FITNESS

THE INNSIDE BY MELIÁ BRAND PRESENTS ITS NEW FITNESS PROGRAMME

alled INFIT, it is the result of

to the wide range of exercises and

programme based on the hectic

different options included in the

daily schedule of guests who want

programme.

to balance work and leisure. This

154

INFIT was created for more

modern software enables them to

traditional guests who like to

continue exercising at the hotels’

exercise by themselves, as well as for

gyms that are always open (24

those who prefer following a class.

hours a day, 7 days a week).

In addition, the programme allows

Wexer ’s modern software is a

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A tactile screen enables easy access

technology applied to sports: a new

for bespoke training according to

digital technology that enhances

level and schedule so that everybody

the offer at Meliá’s gyms with

can adapt it to their diaries.

classes to improve personal bests.

The programme is already available at the Innside Palma Bosque, Innside Frankfurt Ostend and Innside Hamburg Hafen hotels so that guests can stay fit at any time of the day.

Above, Meliá's stationary bikes complement the latest fitness technology.

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A PASSION FOR GOLF

The hotel and the golf course owners, together with Meliá Hotels International, organised a memorable gala dinner prepared by the famous Torres Brothers chefs – Sergio and Javier – who run the restaurants of a number of Meliá group’s hotels in Madrid and Barcelona. The dinner was attended by the most important tourism authorities from Tenerife and the Canary Islands. With their presence at this “Big Week”, they showed their firm support to golf tourism as an engine for wealth and diversification in the Islands.

THE “BIG WEEK” OF GOLF COMES TO A SUCCESSFUL END IN TENERIFE

he Meliá Hacienda del

they competed for prize money

to celebrate the “Big Week” of

totalling €70,000 in an event that

Golf. Organised by Meliá Hotels

qualified them for the 2017 Order

International, Tenerife’s Tourism

of Merit at the subsequent Grand

Office, and the Canary Islands

Finale played at the Zaudín Club

Regional Government, this is –

(Seville). Those who qualified for

together with the Gambito Golf

the Grand Prize also played in the

Tour – an event that has enshrined

ProAm tournament on Thursday,

Buenavista Golf as one of the best

the Seve Ballesteros Memorial,

golf courses in Spain.

together with tour operators

On 7 and 11 June, different events

156

and specialised golf journalists

Above, at the championships held at the Buenavista golf course during the “Big Week” of Golf in Tenerife; and the famous Torres Brothers chefs.

According to Juan José Moreno, the Meliá Hacienda del Conde’s General Director, “We already operate in 30 hotels in Spain and Latin America, and our company is fully committed to the golf segment

took place at the Meliá Hacienda

who arrived especially for the

as proven by the collaboration of

del Conde hotel and the Buenavista

occasion. The participation of Javier

Buenavista Golf and Meliá Hacienda

Golf course: the Meliá Hacienda del

Ballesteros, one of iconic Severiano

del Conde in the beautiful and

Conde-Gambito Golf Tour Grand

Ballesteros’s sons, made the event

less-known area of Buenavista, in

Prize, for professionals; the 2nd

particularly poignant.

the north of the Island of Tenerife.

ProAm Tournament-Seve Ballesteros

Two teams from the Canary

After its successful launch and a

Memorial, and the 1st edition of the

Islands and Great Britain played

year introducing new restaurant

Ryder Cup to be held in the Islands.

against each other in an individual

and wellness options, we are certain

and team Ryder Cup event, in

that we will become an essential

Grand Prize attracted several

which the local team – wearing a

destination for all lovers of golf,

professional figures in Spanish and

uniform inspired by the Canary

trekking, wellness and nature from

international golf to this spectacular

Islands flag – was soundly beaten

all over Europe.”

The Meliá Hacienda del Conde

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golf course in the north of Tenerife;

Conde hotel was the place chosen

8-4. All 16 players agreed on the excellence of Buenavista Golf and its stunning environs as a magnificent top-class destination for golfers from all over Europe.

SUSTAINABILITY

Left, the best designs for the foulard designed by students at the Studio Mode school in Paris, displayed at several of the group’s hotels in the French capital. Below, the three finalists.

GROWING THE YOUNG TALENT

eliá Hotels International has

teamed up with the Studio Mode fashion school in Paris to contribute to the development of the young talent, giving the students the opportunity to grow their expertise within the fashion industry. Twenty-six students from the

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The winning design, by Martial

shows were organised with the

school participated in the “Feeling

Billard, is manufactured with

specific purpose of giving visibility

Special” contest to design a signature

selected fabrics coming from an

to the project. At the latter, over

piece for the new Meliá Rewards

Indian small local population which

600 people had the chance to

Collection - the group’s loyalty

is in risk of social exclusion,

discover Studio Mode’s up-and-

programme - which consisted of an

and is now given to “Meliá

coming talented students thanks to

iconic parisian foulard.

Rewards” most regular guests

Meliá Hotels International.

at some of the company’s most outstanding hotels in Europe. The project has been displayed for 30 days at three of the Paris Meliá hotels, and two fashion

Meliá Serengeti Lodge (Tanzania), a stateof-the-art sustainable hotel designed to operate completely ‘off the grid’ and which will depend on fossil fuels for emergency energy supply only.

AWARDS

GLOBAL LEADERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SOCIAL COMMITMENT, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

the ethics and corporate values that

several publications, and European

magazine The European, in

are the foundations of company's

CEO of the Year at the European

collaboration with the Thomson

performance. As a leader and

Hospitality Awards.

Reuters communication group,

benchmark company in the travel

has created the Global ESG

industry, Meliá Hotels International

is objective and based on an

Leaders Awards to recognise those

knows that its higher public profile

invitation to subscribers of The

organisations that have shown

requires that it show even greater

European, investors, and regional

exceptional leadership in all three

corporate responsibility.

and international experts of the

he prestigious business

areas (ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance).

160

highest level to nominate the 10 best

Meliá to be named travel industry

organisations that have excelled in

leader in Corporate Reputation for

their field of business. The top 10

Hotels International as the “Leading

5 consecutive years, according to

organisations and institutions are

Company in Sustainability”, and its

the prestigious MERCO ranking.

then evaluated in each category and

Executive Vice Chairman and CEO,

It has also been named the best

country by more than 500 top-level

Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, as “ESG

hotel chain in Europe and one

internal and external analysts who

Leader of the Year”. Escarrer became

of the leading companies in the

gather and analyse information and

the Chief Executive of the company

world in combating climate change,

specific criteria on aspects such as

in December 2016, and has continued

and has also received the Tourist

sustainable development, corporate

to promote corporate responsibility

Merit Medal from the Ministry of

governance, investor relations and

and sustainability in social, economic

Industry, Commerce and Tourism

responsible investment practices in

and environmental terms, and also

for its repositioning of mature

their respective categories.

The 2017 awards recognise Meliá

STYLE

In recent years, this policy has led

The awards selection process

travel destinations, among other achievements. Escarrer, for his part, has received awards such as the Torremolinos Tourist Personality of 2016, Spanish CEO of the Year by

Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Leader of the Year in Global ESG Leaders Awards

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MELAKA

JORGE ARRANZ.

NEXT DESTINATION

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Declared a World Heritage Site, Malaysia’s most visited city is close to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The new Meliá Melaka resort (scheduled to open in 2020) will accommodate 250 guests and will be the best place for getting to know this interesting and multicultural city whose unique historical old quarter dates back to the times of the Portuguese colonies. A gastronomic epicentre, its cuisine – and also its canals, river, night walks and trishaw rides (ricksaws decorated with flowers) – are among the attractions to enjoy here. The hotel’s garden and rooftop swimming pool will be just perfect for unwinding.