Meliá Cuba has added five new hotels with 409 rooms to its portfolio on the island during the first quarter of 2018.

The hotels are located in the heritage cities of Cienfuegos (Hotel La Union, Hotel Jagua and Hotel Meliá San Carlos) and Camagüey (Hotel Colón and Gran Hotel) and represent a new style of hotels for Meliá in Cuba: all are small to medium-size hotels, set inside exceptional historical buildings in privileged locations.

By the end of 2018, Meliá Hotels International will also have opened two new flagship hotels for the Cuban hotel industry in the popular destinations of Varadero and Cayo Santa María. The Meliá International, Varadero, will have 934 rooms and the Paradisus Los Cayos, Cayo Santa María will have 802 rooms. This will take the total of new, superior quality rooms opened by Meliá Hotels International in Cuba during the year to more than 2,145.

The Spanish hotel group is also set to open Hotel Innside Camagüey, as well as three hotels in the city of Trinidad before 2020. The properties in Trinidad will include Meliá Trinidad, Meliá Punta Ancón and the innovative Sol House Ancón, which is the result of the conversion of the current Hotel Ancón.

Meliá Hotels International has aligned their plans with the Cuban strategy to diversify its tourism industry. The hotel company will offer prestigious hotels with familiar brands in historic cities, along with exciting tours and experiences. It aims to help increase the number of visitors to these areas and to prolong average length of stay, ultimately helping to raise profile of these destinations to a wide range of tourists.

Gabriel Escarrer, vice president and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, said: “Within the framework of our strong commitment to helping improve Cuban tourism, we have the opportunity to promote unique cities with exceptional tourism potential, such as Cienfuegos, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, or Havana. This guarantees the internationally acknowledged Meliá service and quality standards from the east to the west of the island. The hotels in the new destinations, which are already in operation, will take on our Meliá brand (Meliá La Unión, Meliá San Carlos, Meliá Colón, Meliá Gran Hotel) and Innside by Meliá brand (Innside Cienfuegos Jagua and Innside Camagüey) once they have been fully adapted to the brand standards.”

Francesc Camps, deputy managing director of Meliá Cuba, said: “The new hotels will provide us a chance to show our commitment to the development of balanced and sustainable tourism in Cuba and to demonstrate the value that our brands can add. These hotels in heritage cities are well integrated with the cultural and social fabric of their destinations, and give us a chance to provide travellers with experiences focused on discovering more about the local culture and heritage".

New hotels in Cienfuegos:
 
Meliá San Carlos
The hotel building is an architectural treasure and an important part of Cuban heritage. After a significant investment in renovation it now reopens as Meliá San Carlos. Located in the historical heart of the city of Cienfuegos, it provides 56 modern and comfortable rooms, a lobby bar, snack bar and impressive roof garden with outstanding views over the city.

La Unión Hotel by Meliá Hotels International
La Union Hotel is located in the historic heart of Cienfuegos and provides 49 comfortable rooms. Once its extensive renovation is completed, it will reopen as the new Meliá La Unión.

Jagua Hotel by Meliá Hotels International
The Jagua Hotel offers 174 spacious rooms and three villas with all the facilities expected of a small hotel. Once its renovation is completed, it will reopen as the Innside Cienfuegos Jagua.

Hotels in Camagüey:

Hotel Colón by Meliá Hotels International
The Colón Hotel occupies a privileged location in central Camagüey and provides 58 rooms in an outstanding old colonial building with a beautiful interior courtyard. Once renovation work is completed, it will reopen as the Meliá Colón.

Gran Hotel by Meliá Hotels International
The iconic Gran Hotel occupies a uniquely historic section of central Camagüey. It provides 72 rooms and will be rebranded as the Meliá Gran Hotel on completion of its renovation.

Future openings 2018

In Varadero:

Meliá International
The opening of the iconic Meliá International in Varadero will be a milestone for the hotel industry in Cuba. Overlooking the beach in Varadero, this majestic hotel will provide 934 rooms, as well as exclusive services in "The Level" and "The Level adults only" designed to satisfy the needs of all types of guest. Superior quality dining facilities will include 10 restaurants, two buffets, 14 bars, ice cream bar and market grill. Exclusive services such as YHI Spa, Casa del Habano and a Convention Centre will also be available.

In Cayo Santa María:

Paradisus Los Cayos
Paradisus Los Cayos will become Meliá Hotels International’s fourth Paradisus resort on the island of Los Cayos, located in a truly unique natural environment. The resort has been built using the latest state-of-the-art technology and design and will offer exclusive Royal Service and Family Concierge areas designed to satisfy the most discerning of guests. The hotel will also provide eight restaurants, five cafeterias and 15 bars, as well as exceptional facilities for meetings and events. - TradeArabia News Service