Meliá’s Elite Luxury Brands Review
Here we give insight into OUR experiences with these properties as well as give the best tips on choosing the best locations for your stays.
⭐ BlkTravel Brand Rankings Legend
Service → How attentive, friendly, and reliable the staff are.
Cleanliness → Overall upkeep of rooms, facilities, and public areas.
Vibes → Atmosphere, style, and energy of the property.
Price → Value for money compared to quality of stay.
Black Traveler Comfort → Cultural awareness, inclusivity, and guest experience for Black travelers.
The Meliá Experience:
The Meliá experience is one born from Europe but shaped for the world. Founded in Spain, the Meliá brand carries the style and sophistication of the Mediterranean and pairs it with an international reach that stretches across the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia, and beyond. For Black travelers, this means access to destinations that blend European flair with tropical warmth — offering something familiar but also distinctly global.
Where Hilton and Marriott built their reputations in the United States, Meliá carries the influence of Spain’s culture of hospitality, a culture where food, family, and social connection are at the heart of every gathering. That same philosophy shows up at Gran Meliá’s refined beachfront resorts, in the bold modern energy of ME by Meliá, and in the curated authenticity of the Meliá Collections. Together, they create a portfolio that doesn’t just provide rooms, but stories.
For Black Americans exploring abroad, Meliá’s elite luxury brands provide a chance to experience something different — not the familiar blueprint of American hotel chains, but a European perspective on indulgence and comfort. That distinction is important: you’ll find champagne breakfasts served under centuries-old architecture, oceanfront suites designed with modern art, and properties that host international festivals as much as luxury retreats.
To enjoy Meliá at its best, it helps to arrive ready to embrace a more cosmopolitan culture of luxury. These hotels balance high design with a sense of occasion, and they expect their guests to treat the environment and fellow travelers with the same sophistication. For Black travelers celebrating milestones, attending international events, or simply seeking a space that feels both luxurious and global, Meliá’s elite tier stands as one of the most dynamic options in the hospitality world.
About the Brands
Gran Meliá
Gran Meliá stands as the crown jewel of the Meliá family, pairing Spanish elegance with breathtaking destinations. These hotels are often perched on coastlines in Tenerife, Dominican Republic, or nestled in European capitals like Rome and Madrid. For Black travelers, Gran Meliá is more than a luxury stay — it’s an invitation into the cultural crossroads of Europe and the Caribbean. Spain’s history of empire is complicated, especially in the Caribbean where much of the African diaspora was formed through colonization and enslavement. Today, staying in a Gran Meliá resort in the Dominican Republic, for example, connects you to a land shaped by that history but also celebrated for its resilience, culture, and Afro-Caribbean identity. Gran Meliá embraces this heritage while offering experiences of refinement, haute cuisine, and impeccable service.
ME by Meliá
If Gran Meliá is classical elegance, ME is bold, modern, and cosmopolitan. With properties in hotspots like Ibiza, London, and Cabo, ME is as much about culture as it is about comfort. These hotels often partner with artists, musicians, and designers, turning their spaces into stages for global creativity. For Black travelers, ME offers an entry point into the international creative scene — a reminder that we are not only consumers of global culture, but shapers of it. Whether you’re experiencing Afrobeat DJs in Ibiza or Black designers in London’s fashion districts, ME’s energy mirrors the global influence of the diaspora.
Meliá Collection
The Meliá Collection is a carefully curated group of unique properties, each with a story tied to its local heritage. From restored Spanish palaces to Caribbean resorts, these hotels highlight cultural authenticity while preserving a sense of place. For Black Americans, these properties offer more than luxury — they offer perspective. To stay in a centuries-old Spanish property is to recognize both the beauty of European history and its shadows. To visit the Caribbean properties is to stand on land built by our ancestors’ labor but now reclaimed as spaces of rest, joy, and excellence. In this way, the Meliá Collection speaks not just to luxury, but to legacy.
Together, Gran Meliá, ME, and the Meliá Collection reflect a uniquely European approach to luxury while also reminding us of the ties between Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. For Black travelers, this means more than indulgence — it’s a chance to step into spaces where history and modern culture collide. Whether you’re celebrating milestones in Spain, dancing in the nightlife of Ibiza, or reconnecting with Caribbean heritage, Meliá’s elite tier creates experiences that honor both the past and the present.
When is the right time?
Luxury doesn’t mean waiting for the “perfect” moment — it means creating it. For Black travelers, Meliá’s elite properties provide the kind of backdrop that turns personal milestones into unforgettable history.
Gran Meliá is the right choice when you’re celebrating legacy. Think milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or even family reunions abroad. These resorts are built for grandeur — where fine dining and breathtaking settings frame your story. For many Black Americans, traveling to the Caribbean or Europe with family is not just about vacation, but about honoring those who came before us by living fully in spaces they could only dream of.
ME by Meliá is where to go when you want energy, creativity, and connection. Perfect for solo trips, girls’ getaways, or couples who thrive in vibrant nightlife and cultural scenes. For the Black traveler who wants to experience Afrobeat in Ibiza, art shows in London, or even creative collaborations in Cabo, ME is a lifestyle statement as much as a hotel stay.
The Meliá Collection is ideal when authenticity matters most. These are the times you want to immerse yourself in heritage, whether exploring historic Spanish cities or reconnecting with Caribbean culture. For Black Americans, it’s a way of traveling deeper: experiencing luxury while standing firmly in spaces tied to the diaspora’s complex past. These properties are perfect for cultural festivals, heritage tourism, or any trip where the journey matters as much as the destination.
At every stage, the “right time” is less about the calendar and more about the meaning. When you choose Meliá’s elite brands, you’re not just booking a room — you’re stepping into history, art, and culture while writing your own chapter in the story.
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Gran Melia Arusha
ME Cabo by Meliá
Ngorongoro Lodge member of Meliá Collection
Gran Melia Jakarta
ME London
Gran Melia Palacio de Isora