Spanish hotelier Melia introducing ME brand to US

Spanish hotel management company Melia Hotels International has signed its first ME by Melia-branded hotel in the US. ME Miami is slated to open in spring 2015.

Melia will take over operation of the existing Casa Moderna Hotel in Downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay, a property owned by private-equity, alternative investment manager, CGI Merchant Group.

The area is currently a focus of development, with architect Zaha Hadid behind the new Miami World Centrer, which will include a major shopping mall.

Melia Hotels International CEO and vice chairman Gabriel Escarrer said: “We are incredibly excited about the launch of ME Miami and are thrilled to begin this project in one of the most iconic cities in the United States, with its strategic location and all the offerings the city of Miami has to offer.”

The hotel will feature 129 rooms, two rooftop pools and 5000 square feet of renovated space, including the first STK Rebel, a casual version of the traditional steakhouse.

CGI Merchant Group chief executive officer Raoul Thomas explained that the relaunch of the hotel had been a two-year process to date.

“The opening of ME Miami represents a significant undertaking for CGI, one that spanned two years and comprised a substantial financial commitment, a tremendous amount of resources, as well as exhaustive due diligence to find a partner befitting of such a significant project for downtown Miami,” he said.

The announcement of ME Miami follows the summer 2014 launches of ME Mallorca and ME Ibiza as well as the ME London opening in 2013.

The brand will continue to expand with ME Milan Il Duca and ME Caracas due to open in 2015, and Zaha Hadid’s ME Dubai expected to open in 2016.