Sol Melia Reps Discuss ME Cancun's Transition Into All-Inclusive

NEW YORK CITY -- Travel Agent sat down Tuesday afternoon with representatives of Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts to discuss the upcoming transition of ME Cancun into an all-inclusive resort, the company’s first venture into the United States, other openings and more.

The ME Cancun’s all-inclusive business model, dubbed “Complete Me," will launch on January 1. There will still be an EP aspect to the hotel, however. Tony Cortizas, Sol Melia’s vice president of marketing/Premium Portfolio, says that the restaurants will still be open to locals and tourist who aren't guests at the hotel at a cost. Cortizas says there was a “constant demand” for an all-inclusive plan at the hotel.

ME Cancun's 419 rooms will now allow its guests to choose from an array of packages as 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, complimentary pool access, YHI Spa's fitness center, WiFi and all in-room amenities including iPod docking stations and more. 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.

Don’t expect expect this to be a company trend, though, as Raul Petraglia, managing director for ME Cancun, noted that this transition was “very particular to Cancun” and that we “shouldn’t expect” other ME properties to convert to an all-inclusive plan. However, Cortizas noted that “anything is possible.”

Sol Melia also announced new Sol Melia resorts in London (2012) and Vienna (2013) as well as the opening of the re-flagged Melia Atlanta, which was formerly operated by Marriott as the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown. This marks the first property Sol Melia will operate in the U,S. Cortizas says to expect some more expansions as well, mainly in Latin America.

“Our footprint in Latin America is already robust, but the region continues to grow, so expect our presence there to get bigger,” he told Travel Agent.

Visit www.solmelia.com.