Melia eyes up to 10 new GCC hotels

Spanish Hotel company, Melia Hotels International (formerly Sol Melia), is eyeing major expansion within the Middle East region over the coming few years.

Andre P. Gerondeau, executive vice president, Melia Hotels International, said the company had plans to launch “six-to-10 hotels in the region within the next five years.”

“This is the minimum we expect to see,” he added.

“We have been actively participating in discussions to launch hotels in Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. We see the GCC as an important part of the company’s’ strategy so you should expect announcements within the next 18-24 months.”

Melia Hotels International will open its first Middle East property, Melia Dubai in October this year. The 164-room, five-star hotel located in Bur Dubai close to Port Rashid, will feature bring a “Spanish and Latin flair to Dubai” said Gerondeau.

Gerondeau said the company would look at launching three of it's hotel brands in the Middle East - Meliá, ME by Meliá hotels and Gran Meliá – with “at least two of the three to be present in Dubai.”

The company only recently rebranded from Sol Melia to Melia Hotels International in line with its global expansion.