ME by Meliá Debuts First U.S. Destination, ME Miami

MIAMI, FL (July 13, 2016) – Marking a historic moment for Meliá Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel and resort groups, its ME by Meliá brand officially opened its first-ever U.S. destination – ME Miami – today in Downtown Miami. The hotel bursts onto the scene with 129 luxury-appointed rooms and more than 1,000 square feet of prime meeting space. Guests will be able to enjoy brand signature suites, a 14th floor Sun Deck featuring open air Sunset and Sunrise pools and Bella's Bar, a poolside bar and lounge set to open later this Summer. The property will also introduce a fresh interpretation of The ONE Group’s STK restaurant. The opening of ME Miami represents an exciting new chapter for the innovative lifestyle brand, which boasts destinations in London, Madrid, Milan, Ibiza, Mallorca, Cabo, and Cancún.

CGI 1100 Biscayne Management, LLC, an affiliate of CGI Merchant Group, owns the hotel, which will be managed under the Meliá Hotels International brand ME by Meliá. CGI Merchant Group purchased the building in January 2013, and led the redevelopment of the original hotel from 56 to 129 guestrooms. The design-forward property underscores the ME brand’s practice of opening destinations in capitals of culture and cool, a key characteristic that proved appealing to CGI.

ME Miami is located in the heart of bustling downtown and within a stone’s throw of major cultural institutions including the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. The new hotel’s enviable location is equidistant to Miami’s flourishing communities located near downtown, including the popular and artsy Wynwood, booming Midtown, the Miami Design District, MiMo, Brickell, and the Arts + Entertainment District for guests to engage and discover.

“The opening of ME Miami is not only historic because it is the brand’s first-ever foray into the U.S. market, but also because it’s an acknowledgement and celebration of Miami’s thriving downtown community, which has undergone an extraordinary and exciting cultural renaissance,” said André P. Gerondeau, Executive Vice President of Hotels, Meliá Hotels International. “As the brand does with all of its destinations, ME Miami really places the guest right in the middle of that urban vitality and momentum. We’re excited about what we’ve achieved here, and know that our guests will find ME Miami a distinctive and compelling addition to an already robust portfolio of unique destinations.”

The ME by Meliá brand is known for creating experiences catered to each individual, while also encouraging social interaction. The ME guest is stylish, modern and smart, mixes business with pleasure travel and considers traveling an extension of the life experience. A mix of insightful design, inspiring art displays, global music, in-room amenities, signature food & beverage offerings and pet perks heighten the brand’s appeal to guests’ passions while exceeding expectations.

Well-appointed guest rooms feature custom furnishings, ultra-plush bedding, modern technology, in-room “Maxi” bars and spectacular views of the Bay and skyline. The soon-to-be-completed deluxe one-bedroom Personality Suite overlooks the city from the 14th floor, while the ultra-plush, two-bedroom Suite ME will provide an urban oasis on the 11th floor when it opens later this month. Suites come with ME+ Experience service, including customized check in and preferences for their stay. Premium Algotherm natural bath products that emphasize holistic wellbeing pamper guests in-room. The property will also be introducing SKIN C this fall, featuring relaxing massages and services for guests. Pet-friendly welcome kits containing shampoo, a playball, mini towel and teeth cleanser are available by request, along with a plush pet bed, food & water bowls, and a slew of pet services including gourmet pet food specially-prepared by the chef for pets to enjoy during their stay. The hotel also has a partnership with renowned fashion photographer Alberto van Stokkum, which includes exciting installations on the 1st and 3rd floors, ME+ Suites and activations that will officially roll out later in the year.

In the true ME by Meliá tradition of bringing the outside in, ME Miami has touches and influences reflective of its surrounding community. Floor-to-ceiling windows, vibrant art, lush greenery and multi-tiered public spaces provide an open flow and allow Miami’s tropical vistas to provide the backdrop. Further, ME’s Aura Experience Managers, a signature brand position empowered to curate the guest stay, set the mood throughout the hotel’s public and personal spaces by controlling everything about the sensory experience – from music, to lighting, to scent – creating the perfect tone designed to inspire, invoke and ignite guests’ passions. These individuals also serve as on-site experts allowing guests to make the most of their stay, from simple tips such as how to navigate the Wynwood art and bar scene to personalized suggestions on where to go and what to do, including an insider’s guide to free, underground community events that only locals would be aware of.

“CGI, and its entire development team, is excited to work with a brand of Meliá’s caliber and is thrilled to see the fruits of more than two years’ of work come together so beautifully. Investing in the coveted location of 1100 Biscayne and making it home to the first-ever ME by Meliá in the U.S. is a true milestone and responsibility for CGI,” said Raoul Thomas, Chief Executive Officer CGI Merchant Group. “We look forward to introducing this exceptional space, culinary experience and creativity to the Miami community and beyond.”

ME by Meliá not only caters to its guests, but also the local Miami community through its unique pairing of signature entertainment and dining options. Resident DJ sets and special music-driven events that draw headliners from around the world for unforgettable parties are synonymous with the ME by Meliá brand, and ME Miami will be no exception. ME Miami will also be home to STK Miami, a fresh, new interpretation of the famed steakhouse concept by leading luxury hospitality brand The ONE Group. Situated on the hotel’s ground level, overlooking iconic Biscayne Boulevard, guests can see and be seen amidst the bustling downtown area. Inspired by the emerging local scene, the restaurant will feature sleek, contemporary dining and lounge spaces by ICRAVE, as well as an in-house DJ. This will be the first newly-designed STK location to offer both daytime and evening dining, serving an array of reimagined classic American cuisine. Signature dishes include bite-sized Lil’ BRGs made with Wagyu beef, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and of course, the highest quality cuts of steak. The ONE Group will also provide in-room dining, bites and cocktails Bella’s Bar on the 14th floor pool deck, as well as breakfast service.

The opening of ME Miami follows closely in the footsteps of ME Milan Il Duca, which opened May 2015; ME Mallorca and ME Ibiza in 2014; as well as the celebrated ME London opening in 2013. The brand will continue to expand with the exciting development of future properties in key markets, including ME Caracas in 2017 and late award-winning architect Zaha Hadid’s ME Dubai, slated to open in 2018.

Please visit: www.ME-by-Melia.com.