When the all-inclusive concept was born, it existed primarily as a vacation option for budget-minded travelers. Over the years, the all-inclusive product has been refined and tweaked to offer truly upscale travel experiences. ME Hotels, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts’ brand of urban hotels and contemporary resorts, has announced that its Cancun property, ME Cancun, will shift to being an all-inclusive property as of Jan. 1, 2011. ME Cancun will showcase the brand’s first Complete ME concept. As concepts go, this one is poised to break new ground, since non-guests will be allowed access to the property in order to mix and mingle with hotel guests. The social aspect of a ME Cancun vacation is a big selling feature, so this embrace of locals is expected elevate the guest experience. ME hotels have built their reputation on targeting a common psychographic rather than a common demographic. A typical ME guest is someone who has a taste for cutting-edge art and design, international cuisine and world music.
“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,” said Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, co-vice president and CEO of Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts.
The 419-room ME Cancun’s basic offerings comprise traditional amenities found at all-inclusive resorts, such as unlimited food and beverage options, complimentary access to the fitness center and the use of the property’s Wi-Fi and all in-room amenities including, iPod docking stations, organic Aveda products and access to the house minibar. 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.
Additional guest services will be available for an extra fee, however. These include top-shelf alcoholic beverages, private dinners on the beach, pool party events with special performances by guest DJs and spa treatments at the 11,000 square-foot YHI Spa.
Guestrooms on The Level, the hotel’s premium collection of accommodations, will have additional privileges and amenities, 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.
The resort’s restaurants and bars will remain unaffected with the transition to the new concept. The Water Grill, an Argentinean-style grill, will debut alongside the new all-inclusive concept.
“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,” said Raul Petraglia, managing director for ME Cancun.
ME properties in Cabo, Madrid and Barcelona will not adopt the Complete ME approach and will remain operating on an European Plan basis.
The Details
ME by Meliawww.mebymelia.com
