By the Caribbean Journal staff

Spanish hotel giant Melia Hotels is planning a major relaunch in Punta Cana.

The company is planning to transform its Melia Caribe Tropical resort into two standalone all-inclusive hotels: the Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort and the Melia Caribe Beach Resort.

The Melia Punta Cana Beach will be an adults-only resort, while the Melia Caribe Beach will be a family-friendly resort.

Both are slated to debut at the end of this year, likely around December, the company said.

“By offering two distinct properties with specialized services, we are more able to cater to guests’ needs and enhance their travel experience,” said Alvaro Tejeda, Regional VP for the Americas at Melia. “Our guests have been requesting more adults-only options, as well as family-friendly amenities, so we are thrilled to be able to fulfill that need and offer a more tailored stay.”

The adults-only Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort will feature 538 rooms, including 136 at Melia’s The Level “elevated service” concept. (The Level includes amenities like private facilities, premium beverages and a VIP check-in lounge, among others).

The family-friendly Melia Caribe Beach Resort will include 609 rooms, with 154 Level suites, 123 beachside family rooms and 332 beachside and deluxe rooms. 

Playa Bavaro in Punta Cana.

While the properties will be distinct resorts, guests at each will be able to dine at particular restaurants at each hotel, meaning access to a total of 13 restaurants.

The transformation comes as Melia is set to debut a brand-new Punta Cana resort in December. the Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.

A rendering of the Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.

That property will also be family-friendly, although it will also include 144 suites for Melia’s new members’ club concept, Circle by Melia.

The Dominican Republic is not the only focus for the brand’s Caribbean expansion, however. In Cuba, where Melia is already the largest foreign hotel operator, the company added five new hotels at the beginning of the year, with more in the pipeline.

— CJ