Meliá Hotels International, the leading hotel group in Spain and the third largest in Europe, has announced a further expansion of its luxury portfolio in 2025 with the opening of 15 hotels across its luxury brands. From Southeast Asia to the Caribbean and Europe via Argentina, Meliá brings its signature Spanish hospitality to some of the most fascinating places in the world, offering responsible luxury experiences at every turn.
In 2024, Meliá added two iconic luxury openings to its portfolio: Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá, which occupies a historic building in the heart of Milan; and Casa de las Artes, A Meliá Collection Hotel in Madrid, inspired by the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Continuing with the commitment to global expansion and strategic growth of its luxury portfolio in 2025, Meliá will open the doors of some of its most ambitious hotels to date. From the ME by Meliá line, it will open hotels in Marbella, Malaga, Lisbon and Malta; and ZEL, the brand created in collaboration with Rafael Nadal, which will launch the first all-inclusive lifestyle hotel in the Caribbean.
ME BY MELIÁ LANDS IN MARBELLA, MÁLAGA, LISBON AND MALTA
Dynamic, elegant and deeply connected to culture, art, fashion and gastronomy, ME by Meliá combines destination, design and service to create personalized and enriching experiences. In line with the premise of being located in global cultural epicentres, 2025 will see the launch of new ME properties in European destinations such as Marbella, Málaga, Lisbon and Malta.
In November, ME Malta opened its doors in the coastal town of St Julian's, in the northeast of the island. Located on the seafront and designed by internationally renowned studio Zaha Hadid Architects as part of the Mercury Towers complex, ME Malta has quickly become a cultural epicentre for travellers and locals alike, elevating the destination's urban scene with its restaurants, bars and social calendar. ME by Meliá's Maltese debut marks the brand's second collaboration with Zaha Hadid, following the success of ME Dubai, which opened in 2020.
The hotel comprises 113 guest rooms, 27 suites and 35 residences spread across 20 floors that embody ME’s signature avant-garde design. In terms of gastronomy, Cabana Club will serve a first-class culinary experience in a rooftop pool club that combines panoramic views, modern Mediterranean menus and a striking pool surrounded by luxurious cabanas. The jewel in the hotel’s crown is Radio Rooftop, a signature ME by Meliá concept, which will serve modern Asian menus and signature cocktails from early 2025.
ME Lisbon is set to open in the heart of the historic Portuguese capital in the first quarter of 2025. It will feature the brand’s signature design and cultural programming, as well as first-class dining concepts, a Radio Rooftop Bar with panoramic views, and over 600m2 of meeting and event space.
Other ME by Meliá plans include Spain - with the opening of ME Málaga in the first quarter of 2025 and ME Marbella in the second quarter of 2025 - as well as Greece, Albania and China.
The brand will also strengthen its presence in Mexico, with the opening of ME Guadalajara and ME Sayulita over the next year. Together with ME Cabo, these new Mexican properties further strengthen Meliá’s expansion in Mexico, where it is expected to double its presence in the next two years.
THE MELIÁ COLLECTION GROWS AROUND THE WORLD
Meliá Collection’s strategic growth is key to reinforcing Meliá’s positioning in the luxury sector, as high-net-worth travelers seek out boutique properties that combine unique, locally inspired design with high-end amenities and personalized service. In 2024, the luxury brand welcomed the Casa de las Artes, located in the literary heart of Madrid and inspired by the work of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The hotel, which opened in July, pays homage to the seven fine arts, as well as the iconic figures who shaped Madrid’s cultural legacy, offering travelers the opportunity to participate in a unique combination of workshops, art exhibitions and film screenings. Every corner of the hotel breathes creativity, from its private cinema room, in the style of the golden age of Hollywood; to its cozy library, perfect for relaxing with a book after exploring the city.
In 2025, The Meliá Collection brand will open two more hotels: Residenza Cardinale in Milan and Meliá Ba Vi Mountain near Hanoi in Vietnam, the first Meliá Collection in Asia.
DESTINATION INCLUSIVE & DESTINATION WELLNESS: ESCAPE THE ROUTINE AND EXPLORE NEW PLACES WITH PARADISUS BY MELIÁ
In 2024, the Paradisus by Meliá brand has continued to develop its unique Destination Inclusive concept in Europe, following successful openings in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. As the brand focuses on global expansion, the goal remains the same: to offer travelers a safe, stress-free getaway with innovative wellness programming and deep cultural immersion.
Paradisus by Meliá's expansion plans also include Fuerteventura, where the current Meliá Fuerteventura will be renovated in the summer of 2025, as well as Pattaya (Thailand), reinforcing the brand's presence in the Asian market.
In 2025, Paradisus by Meliá will introduce new experiences through which guests can prioritize their well-being while learning about the culture of the destination. These offerings will be an invitation to disconnect from routine and connect with the place where they are. Guests will leave Paradisus not only having learned more about the destination they have visited, but also with tips and wellness practices that they can take with them to their daily lives and apply long after leaving the hotel.
ZEL OPENS THE FIRST ALL-INCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE IN THE CARIBBEAN
Also of note are the openings of ZEL, a lifestyle brand created in collaboration with tennis legend Rafael Nadal. Inspired by the cosy homes, outdoor culture and lifestyle of the Mediterranean, ZEL made its debut in 2023 in Mallorca, with a second property on the Costa Brava joining the collection in 2024. For 2025, the brand will continue on an ambitious growth trajectory, with the latest opening in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and ZEL Sayulita in Mexico.
Located near Bavaro Beach, ZEL Punta Cana is the first all-inclusive lifestyle resort in the Caribbean. Surrounded by nature and spectacular beaches, ZEL Punta Cana will welcome guests from around the world with a unique hospitality experience that combines the Mediterranean lifestyle with the island charm of the Caribbean. As part of the brand's expansion in the Americas, ZEL Punta Cana celebrates outdoor living with swim-up suites, refreshing pools and a beach club for sunny days. In terms of gastronomy, guests can enjoy a fascinating culinary experience at Brown, with live Mediterranean cooking stations, and flavors of Japan at Nokyo.
EXPANSION WITH CONSCIOUSNESS
Sustainability is at the heart of Meliá’s ethos. Corporate responsibility and responsible tourism continue to play a key role in the development of the group’s luxury portfolio, being pillars in each new opening that is committed to caring for its local community. Becoming a benchmark for sustainable hospitality, the opening of Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá in 2022 marked the group’s debut with its first prototype in terms of efficiency and environmental responsibility. Menorca’s first super-luxury hotel has since won multiple awards, and will close 2024 as a “Net Zero” hotel. This, together with the continued dedication to eco-conscious tourism, contributes to Meliá being awarded the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe by S&P.
Meliá’s innovative Travel for Good program is a global sustainability initiative that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into the company’s business strategy, designed to promote responsible tourism while creating value for society and the environment. From carbon neutrality and waste management, to inclusive employment and collaboration with local communities to support education, culture and economic development, Travel for Good underlines Meliá’s commitment to generating a positive impact on the planet, while ensuring memorable luxury travel experiences.
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
The willingness to travel, the global boom in experiential tourism and the growing demand for luxury products and services have helped Meliá Hotels International to continue to achieve positive results across all of its luxury brands. The company's commitment to innovation and brand positioning has continued to garner recognition from major industry awards. Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora, Gran Meliá Villa Agrippina and Gran Meliá Iguazú were recently recognised at the World Travel Awards. Luxury products continue to secure awards and recognition from leading publications, such as Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá in Mallorca, which has been named Best Resort in Spain by Condé Nast Traveller.
In terms of sales in the luxury segment, travel agency groups specialising in luxury services and experiences have increased Meliá's production by 14% compared to 2023, in particular the member agencies of Virtuoso and Internova, which are growing at a rate of 28% compared to last year. In addition, two luxury properties have joined the prestigious portfolio of Leading Hotels of the World: Palacio De Sancti Petri, Gran Meliá, and Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection hotel, which will open its doors at the end of 2023.
André Gerondeau, Chief Operating Officer of Meliá Hotels International, said: “As we celebrate the end of a landmark year for luxury hotel openings, we look forward to continuing the expansion of our prestigious luxury hotel brands in 2025. As a family-owned brand born in Palma de Mallorca, Spanish hospitality is at our core. It is what unites our hotels, whether it is Zaha Hadid’s architectural masterpiece ME Malta, or ZEL, a brand built on the Mediterranean spirit and our valued partnership with Rafael Nadal. This Spanish touch is reflected in every member of our global Meliá family, from our dedicated teams at our hotels to those shaping the vision at corporate level. Our people and our Spanish hospitality are what our guests have come to know and love, and we are excited to continue sharing these authentic experiences with loyal and new customers alike in the most attractive destinations around the world.”
Source: Meliá Hotels International.