At this new luxury resort, visitors may find themselves channeling a Papa Hemingway moment—minus the marlins. The breathtaking scenery at this beachfront hideaway on one of Cuba’s tropical islands pulls at the heart. Fringed by unspoiled avenues of sea grape trees and rows of thatched tiki huts along sugar-white sand, with a turquoise sea stretching beyond, it’s easy to see why Ernest Hemingway fell in love with Cuba’s blessed archipelago, the Jardines del Rey.
Known for its abundant marine life and activities, Cayo Coco forms part of the “King’s Gardens” and is home to numerous nature reserves. The area offers some of Cuba’s best scuba diving and deep-sea fishing, making it an aquatic playground for water enthusiasts.
Meliá Jardines del Rey © Meliá Hotels International
One of the island’s newest ventures is the Meliá Jardines del Rey, a 1,176-room resort developed by Meliá Hotels International, the Spanish hotel group that has refined the sun-vacation formula for six decades. Launched during Cuba’s national tourism trade show, the property stands minutes from the main airport and even hosted the trade expo itself, impressing travel industry professionals worldwide.
Projects like this help distinguish Meliá as Spain’s leading hotel company. The group routinely sets records and collects awards that capture industry attention. Meliá reports it is the No. 1 hotel company in Latin America and the Caribbean and ranks among the largest hotel groups in Europe.
Meliá Hotels International’s philosophy is summed up in its optimistic tagline: “Everything is possible.”
The company traces its roots to 1956, when 21-year-old Gabriel Escarrer Julia opened the modest Altair Hotel on the Mediterranean coast in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Choosing a small hotel in what was then a residential area was risky, but the venture succeeded and grew into a global hospitality group.
Since 2009, the second generation of the Escarrer family has led the company. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, has credited his father as a major influence, urging him never to say something is impossible. “We can have a hotel in any part of the world,” says Rodolfo Cresta, director of global sales for the U.S. and Canada, who oversees MHI’s brands and hotels. Cuba, with 27 Meliá hotels, is proof of that approach. Cresta expects further expansion in Cuba to meet growing demand for rooms.
As MHI celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Mallorca-based family company has also re-entered the U.S. market with openings in Miami and New York City. Still, the majority of Meliá properties remain concentrated across Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, the Arabian Gulf, Southeast Asia and parts of China.
“We have different brands and concepts for both city and beach stays,” Cresta notes. With more than 350 hotels in 40 countries, Meliá offers diverse options across price points and styles. “In a year, you could spend one night in each of our hotels around the world,” he quips.
Gran Meliá
Demographic: Affluent luxury travelers seeking sophisticated, timeless experiences.
Offerings: The crown jewel of the group, Gran Meliá represents five-star luxury in premier locations. Many properties belong to distinguished collections such as Leading Hotels of the World and showcase striking architecture and refined design.
Highlight: Gran Meliá Villa Agrippina in Rome functions as a museum-hotel with exclusive views toward the Vatican and fine dining led by a Michelin-starred chef.
INNSIDE by Meliá
Demographic: Business travelers and leisure guests who appreciate design-forward, tech-savvy city hotels.
Offerings: Acquired in 2007, INNSIDE blends contemporary design with professional amenities. Properties emphasize wellness and intimate lifestyle spaces such as whirlpools, Turkish baths or saunas, and fitness facilities—ideal for corporate guests and weekend travelers alike.
Highlight: INNSIDE New York NoMad marked the brand’s U.S. debut, bringing its urban lifestyle concept to Manhattan.
ME by Meliá
Demographic: Trend-focused travelers in their mid-30s to mid-40s who enjoy stylish nightlife and social scenes.
Offerings: ME hotels are personality-driven, five-star properties with contemporary design, vibrant nightlife and curated music programs. They are often pet-friendly and blend family sensibilities with adult-focused social energy.
Highlight: The flagship ME London, designed by Sir Norman Foster, set the tone for the brand; ME Miami is another recent urban addition.
Meliá Hotels and Resorts
Demographic: Both business and leisure travelers seeking consistent quality and service.
Offerings: This core brand, the company’s most extensive with roughly 32,000 rooms, combines city and beach locations at a reliable four-star level. Emphasis is placed on high-quality service, culinary options and varied activities.
Highlight: Meliá Braco Village in Jamaica, the group’s first all-inclusive in that market, opened with a stately, plantation-inspired aesthetic paired with contemporary amenities.
Paradisus Resorts
Demographic: Upscale families and couples, popular for destination weddings and romantic getaways.
Offerings: Launched in 1995, Paradisus is a five-star all-inclusive lifestyle brand in Mexico and the Caribbean. It offers distinct concepts like Royal Service—a luxury, adults-only resort-within-a-resort—and Family Concierge with tailored kids’ services and in-room family amenities.
Highlight: Paradisus Cancun enhances its upscale experience with culinary offerings that include Michelin-level talent.
Sol Hotels
Demographic: Families seeking approachable beachfront stays with family-oriented activities.
Offerings: One of the newest and smaller brands in the portfolio, Sol Hotels includes three- to four-star seasonal resorts—mainly around the Mediterranean with select Caribbean properties—offering comfortable rooms and contemporary interiors.
Highlight: The renovated Sol House Aloha – Costa del Sol in Málaga features beach access and refreshed pool areas.
TRYP by Wyndham
Demographic: Modern business travelers looking for well-located, practical urban hotels.
Offerings: A partnership between MHI and Wyndham, TRYP positions hotels in major European and Latin American cities, emphasizing efficient service and city-centric locations with selective amenities for professionals and families.
Highlight: TRYP München City Center offers a convenient downtown base near the Munich Trade Fair Centre and the main train station.