As a new starter in any role it is difficult to get to grips with the product, not least when you join a global hotel chain with 350 properties in 22 countries worldwide! So how is someone brand new to role going to succeed at representing some of its key MICE properties? Answer = research, lots of hard work and then the best bit - travel & fam visits !
Here are a selection of my thoughts and musings as to my January spent travelling to some of Melia’s key MICE properties!
Meliá Costa del Sol
No surprises here working for a Spanish company – I started my trip flying into Malaga, to see some of our properties on the Costa del Sol.
I started my trip at the Meliá Costa del Sol which is appropriately well-equipped for MICE clients! The Costa del Sol refers to the area that stretches across the province of Malaga and Meliá Costa del Sol is a short 20 minute drive from Malaga airport taking you through some picturesque towns and along the promenade.
A 538 room hotel, Meliá Costa del Sol is spectacularly modern – and I am taken aback when I am informed that they are just about to embark on a refurbishment programme of some of the bedrooms. We are shown the pilot rooms that have already been refurbished and it’s nice to see a touch of modernity in the rooms – a splash of colour and an update here or there really do make the difference to the weary business traveller.
The pool area will also be refurbished with a modernisation of a few of the outdoor spaces, meaning MICE clients will have plenty of space to host outdoor functions during peak seasons if this is on the cards.
But the best thing about the Meliá Costa del Sol is its own purpose built, very new and modern convention centre located right next door. 3 years old now, the convention centre at the Meliá Costa del Sol is proving to be ideally located for business meetings that want it all – professional facilities with great all round service and catering (a dedicated events team are on hand), with a flexible, cost effective and modern hotel attached – not to mention the beach and the sea! The largest spaces within the convention centre seat up to 400 delegates meaning it is ideally positioned for those medium sized business events, and the centre is already proving popular with international clients.
The impressive
convention centre at the Melia Costa del Sol.
Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the playa make
for an impressive backdrop for meetings.
With great
rooms, flexible rates and a purpose built convention centre, all at 20 x
minutes’ drive from an international airport – just how long is it before this
property becomes one of Europe’s leading convention centres?
Our
next stop is the Gran Melia Don Pepe… one of first
hotels in Marbella – the Gran Melia Don Pepe is – I am reliably informed – is
the Gran-daddy of hotels in Marbella and indeed the Costa del Sol, having
opened in 1964. The distance to the
airport in Malaga is just over the half hour mark, making it a nice easy trip
to get to.
The Don Pepe has the sort of reputation
that only years of success can make and as you walk into the huge and
impressive space in the foyer (hello indoor water features, oysters and caviar
and T bone grill restaurant to name but a few of the catering options)
Walking around it is clear that
gastronomy is important to this hotel – the ground floor includes a bespoke
‘Darcis’ chocolatier and a whisky lounge, both of which are reasonably populated
even on a dull Wednesday afternoon.
Billed as an “urban resort” the hotel
literally has everything you could possibly need within its grounds (several
further catering options too many to mention are located adjacent to the pool
and beachside)
It’s also well established as an
extremely high quality venue for meetings and incentives – several high profile
corporate clients are in attendance as we walk round. The largest meeting room (Salon Picasso) –
offers space for up to 260 x persons in theatre style seating,
The resort – I am told – has its own microclimate
and this is particularly apparent whilst I am there, with blazing sunshine over
the pool and the beach (both of which are still empty at the time of year).
Perfect for business and leisure, the
Gran Melia Don Pepe is an experience in itself – and I will be recommending the
property to groups and incentives that want that quintessential service and
slightly grown up “wow” factor that the Gran Melia brand is renowned for.
It’s my first time in Alicante and despite
a swift transfer straight from the airport to the hotel, I cannot help but
notice the city which seems to have just the right mixture of old and modern,
as well as, of course most importantly – the beach and the sunshine!
The weather, when we arrive is a “chilly”
18 degrees – and whilst the locals are wrapped up in coats and scarves my
colleague and I debate whether or not we can find the time for a quick dip in
the beautiful turquoise sea (update-we don’t find the time but having literally
dipped a toe in the water I can confirm the Winter temperatures here are very
acceptable)!
The hotel is located right on a peninsula
jutting out to the sea – one of the sides overlooks the Port of Alicante, one
the beach – no bad views! Looming over the hotel is the beautiful and
historical Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which provides a spectacular backdrop as
I sit down to catch up on my emails after a long day…
The
magnificent Castillo de Santa Barbara overlooks the hotel.
Sea
views from Melia Alicante
One of the most fabulous things about Melia
is it’s 5* level service and the Melia Alicante has recently re-done it’s
‘Level’ facility to outstanding effect.
Now an adult’s only Level facility (finally!) – it includes all the
usual services the level usually provides and with the addition of a private
balcony with a private “level” infinity pool overlooking the beach and the sea!!
The
private, adult’s only level infinity pool at the Melia Alicante.
But to business – as well as the impressive
façade of the hotel and all it offers inside, I am pleased to see the meeting
rooms are really quite fantastic too! Typified by the floor to ceiling windows that a number of our
(beachfront) properties are characterised by, the rooms are light, airy and easily located
within the hotel (most of the meeting space is on one level) – and mostly with
sea views.
This property absolutely blew me away and
was like nothing I had ever seen before!! The Melia Villaitana is a 4*
property, built in the style of a mock Mediterranean village. Over the sprawling complex (which includes 2
x golf courses and numerous dining options and of course meeting and convention
facilities – more later…) each building is modelled on different architectural
styles of the region…and more importantly the history of this is detailed and
appreciated - for example the 5* part of the hotel is modelled on a convent
just South of Alicante!!
The main entrance is very impressive and as
I enter I am struck by the “cupula” – the domed entrance hall – the interior of
which is an impressive multi-purpose space used for weddings, banquets and all
types of meetings and events.
The Cupula.
With over 500 bedrooms, including 100 x
level rooms and an exclusive “Level” pool, the hotel is ideal for a wide range
of business travellers, and whilst my visit is in the January off-season (the
hotel is closed in non-peak periods) I am informed that they offer a range of
dining options, and significant flexibility to groups (exciting and innovative
catering options for MICE groups include typical local street food).
Now to the most important part – what’s the
meeting space like ?!? Well, as one of
our key properties for MICE business, the Villaitana can host up to 1,200 pax
in its largest space for a plenary auditorium.
Because it’s a – quite simply - huge - resort hotel, it seems like the space
is a little expansive on first view but the signposting (again all in its own
very individual style) and the style of the property almost gives you a sense
of place – what is better for an evening social function than to have it
located in its very own and exclusive Plaza Real, or in the Cloisters.
Being outside of Alicante and a resort in
its own right, it is important for there to be things to do for delegates and
that’s where the Villaitana comes into its own…
Overlooking the Villaitana sits the
imposing Terra Mitika Park – a theme park that can open on request and works
nicely for delegates. And nearby – as well as the two bustling cities of
Alicante and Benidorm, you have Altea – a quintessential / typical
Mediterranean village peppered with very typical local-still restaurants,
delegates can take a wander, sample the local food and culture.
Sunset
on a cold January in Alicante !
At the end of several weeks travelling,
it is clear that my journey with Melia is only just beginning but it’s
interesting to see the synergy across some of the brands and to understand how
the Melia service translates across different cultures.
Next stop: Madrid where we have 22
properties - http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/home.htm
not forgetting to make time for a spot of tapas before we leave of course!
Viva Espana !
That's all for this week, see you next time!
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