Meliá Hotels International, Spain's leading hotel group and the third largest in Europe, has announced 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, Meliá brings its signature Spanish hospitality to some of the world's most compelling locations, with each development offering luxury experiences responsibly.

In 2024, Meliá added two landmark luxury openings to its portfolio: Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá, occupying 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 the commitment to global expansion and purposeful growth of its luxury portfolio in 2025, Meliá will open the doors to some of its most ambitious hotels yet: ME by Meliá hotels in Malta, Lisbon, Malaga, and Marbella; and ZEL, a lifestyle brand and joint venture with tennis legend, Rafael Nadal, will launch the first lifestyle all-inclusive in the Caribbean. 

ME By Meliá meets Malta, Malaga, Marbella And Lisbon

Dynamic, stylish, and rooted in culture, art, fashion, and gastronomy, ME by Meliá brings destination, design, and service together to deliver personal, enriching experiences. Located in global, cultural epicentres, 2025 will see new ME properties launch in European destinations such as Malta, Lisbon, Marbella, and Malaga.

In November, ME Malta opened in the seaside town of St Julian's on the island's north-eastern coastline. Located on the water's edge and designed by the globally acclaimed Zaha Hadid as part of the Mercury Towers development, ME Malta has quickly become a cultural hub for travellers and locals alike, elevating the destination's urban scene with its restaurants, bars, and cultural calendar. ME by Meliá's Maltese debut marks the brand's second collaboration with Zaha Hadid, following the success of ME Dubai, which launched in 2020. Set across 20 floors, the 113 rooms, 27 suites and 35 residences embody ME's signature avant-garde design, with world-class gastronomy served out of Cabana Club, a rooftop pool club combining panoramic views, modern Mediterranean menus, and a striking pool framed with plush cabanas. A signature ME by Meliá concept, the hotel's crowning jewel is Radio Rooftop, serving modern Asian menus and signature cocktails from early 2025.

Opening in the heart of the historic Portuguese capital in early 2025, ME Lisbon will showcase the brand's signature design and cultural programming, as well as world-class gastronomic concepts, a Radio Rooftop Bar with panoramic views, and over 600m2 of meeting and event space. Further development plans for ME by Meliá include Spain – with ME Malaga opening in Q1 2025 and ME Marbella following in Q2 2025 – as well as Greece, Albania, and China. The brand will also bolster its presence in Mexico, with ME Guadalajara and ME Sayulita both set to launch in 2025. Joining ME Cabo, these new Mexican properties further fortify Meliá's expansion into Mexico, where it is expected to double its presence in the next two years. 

The Meliá Collection sees global growth

The purposeful growth of Meliá Collection is key in reinforcing Meliá's positioning in the luxury sector, as affluent travellers seek boutique properties that combine unique, locally inspired design with high-end amenities and personalised service. In 2024, the luxury brand welcomed Casa de las Artes, located in Madrid's literary heart and inspired by the works of Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes. Opened in July, the boutique hotel pays homage to the seven fine arts, as well as the iconic figures who shaped Madrid's cultural legacy, offering travellers the opportunity to take part in unique combination of workshops, art exhibitions and film screenings. Every corner of the hotel breathes creativity, from its private cinema room, styled after Hollywood's golden era, to its cosy library, perfect for unwinding with a book after exploring the city.

2025 will see two additional openings for the Meliá Collection brand: Residenza Cardinale in Milan and Va Bi Mountain near Hanoi in Vietnam, the first Meliá Collection in Asia.

Destination Inclusive, destination wellness: Escape and explore with Paradisus by Meliá

In 2024, the Paradisus by Meliá brand continued to showcase its unique Destination Inclusive concept in Europe, following the successful openings in the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. As the brand sets its sights on global expansion, the objective remains the same: to offer travellers a stress-free, safe escape with deep cultural immersion and innovative wellness programming. Pipeline expansion plans for Paradisus by Melià include Fuerteventura, which will see the renovation and rebranding of the existing Meliá Fuerteventura in summer 2025, as well as Paradisus in Pattaya, Thailand, the brand's introduction into the Asian market. Each destination is carefully selected, and mirrors the brand's core values, offering a strong sense of place whilst promoting the upmost wellbeing.

Allowing guests to truly discover the destination whilst taking care of themselves, Paradisus by Meliá will introduce new wellbeing initiatives across its global portfolio of properties in 2025, inviting guests to switch-off from the stresses of everyday life, while switching-on to the beautiful location they're in. Guests will leave Paradisus with both knowledge of the destination they've visited and practical wellness methods to implement long beyond leaving the resort.

ZEL opens first lifestyle all-inclusive in the Caribbean

Noteworthy openings also include that from ZEL, a lifestyle brand created in collaboration with tennis legend, Rafael Nadal. Inspired by the welcoming homes, outdoor culture, and lifestyle of the Mediterranean, ZEL made its debut in 2023 in Mallorca, with a second property joining the collection in Costa Brava in summer 2024. Now, the brand will continue on an ambitious growth trajectory, with the latest opening in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, joining the collection in December, and ZEL Sayulita in Mexico, projected to open in 2025.

Nestled along the breathtaking Playa Bávaro, ZEL Punta Cana is the first lifestyle all-inclusive in the Caribbean. Nestled amongst nature and enveloped by 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. Marking the brand's expansion into the Americas, ZEL Punta Cana celebrates outdoor living with swim-up suites, refreshing pools, and a beach club for sun-soaked days. Indulge in a vibrant culinary experience at Brown, featuring Mediterranean live cooking stations, or savour the flavours of Japan at Nokyo. 

Expansion with a concience

Sustainability is at the heart of Meliá's ethos, and corporate responsibility and responsible tourism continue to play a key part in the development of the group's luxury portfolio, with each new opening committed to caring for its local community. Setting a benchmark for sustainable hospitality, the opening of Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá in 2022 saw the group unveil its first prototype in terms of efficiency and environmental responsibility. Menorca's first grand luxe hotel has earned multiple awards since, and it will close 2024 as a 'Net Zero' hotel. This, and the overall continued dedication to eco-conscious travel, contributes to Meliá's accolade as the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe by S&P.

Meliá's game-changing Travel for Good programme 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 collaborating with local communities to support education, culture, and economic development, Travel for Good underlines Meliá's commitment to making a positive impact on the planet while ensuring memorable luxury travel experiences. 

A positive outlook

The willingness to travel and the global boom in experiential tourism, together with increasing demand for luxury products and services, has contributed to continued positive results for Melià Hotels International across its luxury brands. The company's commitment to innovation and brand positioning continued to garner recognition in important industry awards. Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora, Gran Meliá Villa Agrippina, and Gran Meliá Iguazú were recently recognised in the World Travel Awards, and luxury product around the world has continued to secure awards and accolades with leading publications, such as Gran Meliá de Mar in Mallorca named Best Resort in Spain by Condé Nast Traveller. In terms of luxury sales, luxury consortiums have increased production for Meliá by 14% vs 2023, particularly Virtuoso and Internova member agencies which are growing at a rate of 28% vs 2023. Two luxury properties also joined the esteemed Leading Hotels of the World portfolio: Palacio De Sancti Petri, Gran Meliá, and Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection hotel which opened in late 2023.

Leading Hotels of the World: Palacio De Sancti Petri, Gran Meliá, y Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection hotel que abrió sus puertas a finales de 2023.