Sol Meliá

Company History

In 1956, 21-year-old Gabriel Escarrer Juliá opened the Hotel Altair in Palma de Mallorca. Years later, in 1984, his company, then known as Hoteles Mallorquines, acquired 32 properties belonging to the Hotasa hotel firm, thus beginning the company's path to becoming the leading Spanish hotel group.

Headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the hotel chain began its expansion abroad in 1985 with the opening of the Bali Sol Hotel in Indonesia. Two years later, the company bought the Meliá chain, adding 22 four- and five-star locations that would strengthen its presence in the American, Caribbean, and European markets and renaming itself Grupo Sol Meliá (Sol Meliá). In 2000, the chain acquired Tryp Hotels, which allowed Sol Meliá to rank on the list of top ten hotel companies worldwide by number of rooms.

In 1996, Sol Meliá became the first Spanish hotel company to be listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange. The company's extensive portfolio currently features approximately 300 hotels in 30 countries under its commercially distinct brands: Gran Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, Innside, Tryp Hotels, Sol Hotels, Paradisus Resorts, and Sol Meliá Vacation Club. The company encompasses a 35,000-plus workforce.

Brand Philosophy

Sol Meliá focuses its strategy of expansion in the geographical diversification of its product and the revaluation of its brands. Particular attention is paid to the brand's range of luxury, along with new destinations such as Cape Verde, Colombia, Dubai, and Egypt, which have been announced as sites for future openings. In addition, the Spanish hotel chain is geared toward more competitive destinations including Brazil and Mexico.

Each of the company's commercial brands--Tryp Hotels, Sol Hotels, Paradisus Resorts, etc.--is designed to emphasize "guest experience," complemented by architecture, lighting aromatics, music, and hospitality.