ME Cancun to Become All-Inclusive Property

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- ME Hotels, a collection of "experience-based" urban hotels and contemporary resorts operated by Sol Melia, announced today that the brand's Cancun property, ME Cancun, will shift to an all-inclusive business model as of January 1, 2011. ME Cancun will embrace the brand's first "Complete ME" concept, which will break the mold of traditional all-inclusive resorts where non-guests are prohibited access to the property grounds and amenities. In addition to welcoming hotel guests, this revolutionary and industry-first business approach will embrace non-guests and local movers and shakers, allowing them to enjoy the property's a la carte culinary offerings and revel in ME Cancun's high style design and vibrant social scene.

Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, the Co-Vice President & CEO of Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts and an industry innovator says "We are excited to evolve the ME brand with the implementation of the Complete ME concept at our Cancun property. This dynamic model will allow the property to cater to a wide array of guests while meeting new consumer demands which have become increasingly driven by the desire for more qualitative value with freedom. Thanks to this calculated business decision, ME Cancun will now become the area's premier all-inclusive property, offering guests a superior product coupled with the high service standards our guests have grown accustomed to."

Following the success of Sol Melia's all-inclusive Paradisus Resorts and adapting to the Cancun market, where all-inclusive properties thrive, ME Cancun's 419 rooms will now allow its guests to choose from an array of packages part of the new "Complete ME" concept. The hotel's basic offering will focus on traditional amenities found at all-inclusive resorts, such as unlimited food and beverage options, complimentary access to the pool, YHI Spa's fitness center, "Chill Out Deck," "The Beach Club," the property's WiFi and all in-room amenities including iPod docking stations, Aveda organic products and house mini bar. Guest rooms on "The Level," the hotel's premium collection of accommodations, will offer elevated privileges and amenities that will be part of "The Level" package. Here, guests will enjoy services such as private VIP check-in, exclusive use of the 10th floor's "Living Room" lounge, exclusive concierge services and 24 hour in-room dining at no extra cost.

Raul Petraglia, Managing Director for ME Cancun added "With the region lending itself to such a business model, we anticipate the Complete ME concept in Cancun to become a successful operation, exceeding the expectations of both our international guests and our loyal local market."

The resort's numerous restaurants & bars will remain unaffected with the transition to the new concept. Guests will be able to enjoy dining services from food and beverage outlets including Salt, Beachhouse Restaurant, Silk, e-space, in-room dining and The Water Grill, an Argentinean-style grill that will debut alongside the new model. Additional services such as private "barefoot dinners" on the beach, premium high-energy pool parties with special performances by guest DJs, treatments at the 11,000 square-foot YHI Spa and top-shelf liquor products, among others, will be available for an additional fee. Unlike most all-inclusive properties where a bracelet identifies hotel guests during their stay, ME Cancun will offer a proprietary identification system allowing all outlets to quickly identify guests. ME properties in Cabo, Madrid and Barcelona will not adopt the "Complete ME" approach and will remain operating on an European Plan (EP) basis.

About ME Urban Hotels & Contemporary Resorts

ME hotels are contemporary interpretations of the Melia experience. It is a brand which seeks to fuse innovative style with local flavors in order to captivate travelers of a common psychographic – those with a decisive taste for cutting-edge art and design, international cuisine and world music – rather than a common demographic. By capturing these elements in urban and resort destinations, in hot spots such as Barcelona, Cabo, Cancun and Madrid, this new philosophy ignites a passion in each guest while appealing to their senses and emotions. The experience is unforgettable. Learn more at www.mebymelia.com.

About Sol Melia

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Sol Melia is the largest resort hotel chain in the world and market leader in Spain in both business and leisure travel. The company currently provides more than 300 hotels in 30 countries on 4 continents, and employs 32,500 people under its Melia, ME Urban Hotels & Contemporary Resorts, Sol, Paradisus and Sol Melia Vacation Club brands. www.solmelia.com

SOURCE Sol Melia