Melia Hotels International Announces the Opening of Second U.S. Property Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Melia Hotels International, one of the world's largest hotel brands, has just announced the opening of its second hotel in the United States in Orlando's coveted Celebration neighborhood. The hotel, which has been rebranded as Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration, is a 240-unit property featuring luxurious residentially styled one and two bedroom suites formerly operated as the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel.

Within easy reach of the multiple entertainment attractions Orlando has to offer, this new addition to the Melia Hotels International portfolio is the perfect complement to the brand's existing high-end family friendly properties. Just minutes away from Walt Disney World ® Resort theme parks, Melia Orlando is the perfect destination for a family getaway. Orlando, FL is the number two tourist destination in the United States, and will act as yet another platform for the brand to strengthen its fan base in the United States as part of an intensive global expansion strategy.

"We are delighted to add this great hotel to our international portfolio and to offer our loyal guests the Melia Hotels International experience in this sought-after destination," said Melia Hotels International CEO and Vice Chairman, Gabriel Escarrer. "This is a key component of our strategy to grow and diversify internationally, and add to our presence in the United States, which we started last year with the addition of the Melia Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. It is also an example of great integration and teamwork between our Orlando-based vacation club team, Club Melia, under the leadership of Executive Vice President Denis Ebrill who identified and negotiated this deal, and the Melia Hotels International team in Miami, under Senior Vice President Alvaro Tejeda Schroder, who has driven the takeover and transition of this highly attractive property to the Melia brand and operating standards."

"Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration offers consumers new to our brand the perfect opportunity to window shop what we have to offer globally," said Alvaro Tejeda Schroder. "The popular location of this property helps to ensure greater familiarization of the experience for which Melia Hotels International is renowned."

Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration, which was originally developed as a condominium resort, features rooms complete with luxury amenities including private balconies and full kitchens with stainless steel appliances. There are also two restaurants on property, as well as preferred access to nearby golf courses.

For adults looking to enjoy a relaxing vacation, there is a spa and health club conveniently located nearby in the center of Celebration Village. The hotel offers guests bicycles, as well as golf cart and van shuttles, to and from downtown Celebration and theme parks.  

Melia Hotels International has resorts across the globe including destinations such as Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Florida is a key feeder market for these regions and Melia Hotels International has high hopes for increasing brand recognition in the market, helping to further expand their presence in the United States. Melia Hotels International is proud to have more than two million consumers enrolled in their MAS loyalty program, 300,000 of which live in the U.S.

About MELIA HOTELS INTERNATIONAL

Melia Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and is one of the world's largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain's leading hotel chain. It currently provides more than 350 hotels and 87,000 rooms in 35 countries on 4 continents under its brands: Gran Melia, Melia, ME, Innside, Tryp by Wyndham, Sol and Paradisus. Its product and service portfolio is complemented by Melia Club, the only vacation club operated by a Spanish company.

In 2011, the family company founded by Gabriel Escarrer Julia, which operated under the name "Sol Melia" for decades, initiated a new stage in its development under the brand name that represents its present and its future: Melia Hotels International.

www.melia.com

SOURCE Melia Hotels International