Sol Melia Prepares to Open Two New Flagship Paradisus Resorts in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

MIAMI, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The luxurious, all-inclusive Paradisus resort brand is expanding its portfolio with two new Mexican properties, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, scheduled to open in late 2011. Located in the prestigious Playa del Carmen enclave on Mexico's eastern Caribbean shore, the magnificent resorts are poised to become the area's finest all-inclusive properties.  The impressive facilities and signature amenities at both Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla include dramatic free-form pools, breathtaking artful landscapes, a YHI Spa, twelve restaurants and ten bars providing guests with pure freedom to escape and indulge in all the properties have to offer. Paradisus Resorts are sophisticated all-inclusive properties owned and operated by Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, one of the most successful hotel companies in the world.

Paradisus is debuting the brand's first adults-only resort with Paradisus La Perla.  The exclusive resort will offer 394 elegantly appointed suites including 120 Royal Service Suites, two of which are Royal Service Presidential Suites.  Royal Service guests will enjoy adult-oriented amenities including a private pool, bar and exclusive restaurant surrounded by palapas and Bali Beds in addition to a private beach.  Discreet but efficient butlers will offer preferential reservations for specialty restaurants, spa treatments, activities and excursions.  The resort's 60 swim-up suites will further privacy allowing guests to access the free-form pool directly from their terrace.  

Paradisus La Esmeralda will offer 512 luxury suites, including 56 swim-up suites, 122 Family Concierge suites and two Presidential suites, allowing for two and three-bedroom suite configurations, unique in catering to the luxury family segment.  From pre-arrival to the last day of vacation, the Family Concierge at Paradisus La Esmeralda will exceed all guests' needs by providing a private family check-in/out, "tear-free" in-room bath products, milk and cookie turn down services and exclusive family activities and excursions.  Family Concierge guests also have their own exclusive restaurant at La Esmeralda.  

"Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla were designed specifically to cater to our guests' needs," said Alvaro Tejeda Schroder, Senior Vice President for Sol Melia's Premium Portfolio of hotels.  "This is the latest example of how the Paradisus brand has further raised the bar in regards to the service we provide our loyal guests and the experience they have come to expect from our world-class resorts."

Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla share a common area referred to as El Zocalo, a term in Mexican culture which signifies a city's social center.  Here Paradisus guests will find several food and beverage options, YHI Spa, the "Palapa" Activities Center, a Theatre, a Ballroom and a total of 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and convention space featuring fourteen meeting rooms.  Wi-Fi access is available in all rooms.  

El Zocalo will be home to a 20,000-square-foot YHI Spa and Health Club for guests seeking rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.  Awaiting guests at YHI Spa will be a full service beauty salon, fourteen massage cabins, wet and dry saunas, signature water ritual, state-of-the-art workout equipment, the guidance of experienced trainers and specialized workouts including couples training, group classes and personalized one-on-one wellness programs designed to meet guests' mind-body goals and maximize enjoyment during their stay at Paradisus.

Both Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla will have access to El Zocalo's ten restaurants, offering exceptional food, exquisite presentation, extraordinary surroundings and five-star service.  With a variety of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, diners will be treated to unforgettable culinary adventures complemented by premium brand beverages and an extensive wine list.  The ten on-property bars will provide variety for guests to explore during their stay at the Playa del Carmen haven. The Gabi Beach Club combines a casual-chic ambiance with elegant design, allowing the bar, restaurant and beach areas to come together in unique harmony.

While staying at Paradisus, guests are invited to partake in unique, complimentary Life Enriching Classes such as tango dance lessons, bike tours and wine tasting to take their experience to the next level.  Paradisus also provides guests with access to the most spectacular golf courses in the area.

Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla are integrated into the natural beauty of the area while maintaining the exquisite and environmentally sensitive mangroves.  Sol Melia's mission to protect the mangroves brought to life a scenic boardwalk for guests to enjoy, providing access to picturesque backdrops and vistas.

"Each Paradisus resort is envisioned as an oasis of modern design and decor for the sophisticated traveler who wants it all," said Bernard Wyss, Area Vice President for the Paradisus Brand.  "The pairing of award-winning restaurant concepts with luxurious accommodations and exceptional service sets Paradisus as the gold standard amongst all-inclusive resorts."

Both properties were designed by Sol Melia's prestigious architect, Alvaro Sans, to work harmoniously with Playa del Carmen's climate, magnificent terrain and stunning coastline.  More a seaside palace than a resort, Paradisus' newest resorts share an impressive amphitheatre overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, offering intimate spaces as well as an open and expansive environment.  

Paradisus Resorts are elegantly designed with attention to every detail in mind. Spectacular architecture, world-class cuisine and premium service achieve the goal of allowing guests to experience ultimate relaxation in a stress-free and upscale environment, with the luxury of not once having to reach for a wallet. All properties reflect their surrounding environments and are set amid lush tropical gardens, chic restaurants, lavish suites, award-winning spas, pristine beaches and oversized, stylish swimming pools.

Paradisus La Esmeralda and Paradisus La Perla and will join two existing properties, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  

About Sol Melia

Sol Melia was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and is the world's leading resort hotel chain, as well as Spain's leading hotel chain in both the business and leisure markets. It currently provides more than 300 hotels in 26 countries on 4 continents under its brands:  Gran Melia, Melia, ME by Melia, Innside by Melia, Tryp, Sol, Paradisus and Sol Melia Vacation Club. www.solMelia.com

In 2006, the "Corporate Reputation Institute" of New York ranked the company amongst the corporations with the best reputation in the world, the leading hotel company and the second highest ranked company in the travel industry. Sol Melia is the only travel company included in the exclusive "Footse4Good Ibex" Spanish stock market index, and is the third ranked company in Spain amongst companies which generate the greatest degree of confidence and in the top three hotel chains for reputation.

In 2008 the company approved its Global Sustainability Policy and in 2009 it was named the first "Biosphere Hotel Company" by the Responsible Tourism Institute, supported by UNESCO. In the same year it was also awarded the Prince Felipe Award for Tourism Excellence for the second time.

The company currently employs more than 33,000 people worldwide with staff from over 90 different countries. The company fully respects equal rights and balance in its contracting of male and female staff and 10% of its workforce is made up of immigrants.

SOURCE Sol Melia