Gran Meliá de Mar: Meliá Hotels International continues to extend its luxury hotel portfolio in Spain with the transformation of an emblematic hotel in Mallorca

Meliá Hotels International announced a project today to transform its flagship Meliá de Mar hotel in Illetas (Mallorca) into a premium Gran Meliá hotel for the next summer season, another milestone in the company strategy to improve its positioning in the luxury hotel industry, accompanying the recent announcement of the transformation of a hotel in downtown Madrid (Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques).

The company was founded in Majorca, in 2016 it will celebrate its 60th anniversary, and continues to show its commitment to its origins. Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, stated, "our future as a company and the future of Mallorca as a destination is focused on innovation and differentiation. A landmark hotel such as the Gran Melia de Mar will help us strengthen our brand awareness and differentiate the destination in the premium category in an increasingly competitive environment."

The hotel is located only 10 minutes away from Palma and is one of the most charismatic hotels on the island of Mallorca. Designed by the renowned architect Jose Antonio Coderch, it was fully refurbished in 2008 and is still considered one of the finest examples of modern architecture in the Balearic Islands. The building overlooks an idyllic private cove in Illetas, in the region of Calvia, with a unique elegance that has survived throughout the years. In 2009 it became an "adults-only" hotel to improve its value proposition and exclusivity for guests through sophisticated services, facilities and experiences, as well as an even more personalized service to respond to the needs of adult travellers.

For the 2016 summer season, the 144-room hotel will be known as the Gran Meliá de Mar on completion of major reforms to improve the quality of its rooms and outdoor facilities, including the pool area and terraces, as well as the addition of some of the characteristic attributes of the Gran Meliá brand, such as a Red Level Lounge. Another important change is the adoption of the Gran Melia service standards based on traditional luxury with a modern flair as key brand differentiator. This service culture known as Red Glove Service ensures a personalized luxury experience for guests.

The hotel will also add new technologies such as next-generation TVs, and will convert its current spa into a new "Spa by Clarins", thanks to an exclusive Gran Melia agreement with the cosmetics firm. The hotel will offer a gourmet dining experience to guests through its two restaurants, in addition to a superior quality cocktail service and fantastic facilities for meetings and events, with a total of six function rooms, the majority with natural light.