Unique experiences and luxurious accommodations answer the call of today’s travelers.
It’s no question that today’s travelers want unique, destination-centered experiences. The luxury market answers the call with these new and renovated debuts. Whether treating your attendees to Riviera Nayarit seaside adventures, a European cultural gem or an exclusive gathering in a pristine natural reservoir, luxury is never far away, and the unique character of each of the spaces you’ll find below are shining examples of transformative destination experiences.
Magic in the Mediterranean
Melià Hotels International opens the doors of its highly-anticipated new debut, ME Malta. Standing on the water’s edge in Palma’s seaside town of St. Julian’s, the property is set to elevate the destination’s urban scene.
Malta is a celebrated cultural capital of Europe, flush with vibrant nightlife, luxury boutiques and picturesque bays. The property is ME by Melià’s debut property in Malta, and is a product of the brand’s second collaboration with Zaha Hadid, who earlier designed the hugely successful ME Dubai.
ME Malta offers 113 rooms, 27 suites and 35 residences in a vibrant, avant-garde design across 20 floors. On the 8th floor, guests will find the Cabana Club, a rooftop poolside beach club complete with panoramic views and modern Mediterranean menus. A new restaurant, Luciano by Gino D’Acampo, offers a selection of classic Italian and experiential dishes. The property also features the Radio Rooftop bar, a signature ME by Melià concept. It will open in early 2025, along with the spa.
The property offers a unique experience for meetings and events, anchored by the brand’s “Cultural Collective program, which allows guests the opportunity to take part in a curated calendar of events. The property offers thoughtfully designed social and event spaces, including three Thinking Labs, a Penary Room and two Breakout Rooms.
Read More: Incentive Travel: Interactive Connection is the Name of the Game
Revitalized Spaces for Invigorated Gatherings
The UNESCO-listed city of Évora, Portugal, sees an expansion of bespoke hotel Octant Évora’s meeting and group offerings. The property is located on 27 acres within Portugal’s Alentejo region.
The debut of this expansion launches the property’s six-hectare Perdiganito Reserve, where meetings and events will be immersed amidst the stunning landscapes of the largest reservoir in Europe while enjoying unique experiences that preserve and celebrate the natural reserve’s authenticity. On the reserve, guests will find three distinct trails, all featuring wooden swing cabanas, which could serve as private meeting pods or informal breakout spaces. The space is anchored by a commitment to authenticity that inspires visitors to reconnect with nature through its strategic choice of materials. Guests can also enjoy activities such as horseback riding, bird watching, hot-air balloon rides, cycling, wine tasting and exploring the Perdiganito ruins.
Octant Évora offers 56 guest rooms, including three family rooms with private outdoor spaces featuring their own pools and gardens, and 16 spacious villas. Onsite, guests can enjoy five outdoor pools, a gym and a spa, which offers an indoor pool, sauna, two treatment rooms and a Turkish bath.
Additional can’t-get-anywhere-else offerings include the 1,184-square-foot Water Dam Deck, furnished with sofas and loungers, and versatile for a wide variety of meetings, events and activations. Right next door is the 16+ foot Observation Tower, where guests can take in sweeping views of the Alentejo plains and outstanding stargazing in the nighttime.
Beachfront Never Looked So Good
W Punta de Mita launches an exciting multi-million-dollar renovation that debuts its highly anticipated beachfront suite collection, alongside a brand new buyout offer for groups. The property stands in Mexico’s celebrated Riviera Nayarit.
The new collection introduces seven reimagined suites and one new E-Wow two-story penthouse suite. These standalone accommodations offer a secluded space along the waterfront, and the E-Wow suite is ideal for private events and casual meetings with its full kitchen and expansive private rooftop.
The new spaces celebrate Riviera Nayarit’s rich history, inspired by a legend in which local tribes fled from the desert to the mountains during the Spanish conquest, and the design seeks to encourage visitors to connect to the area’s culture and legacy. Local natural resources, such as natural stones, rich woods and traditional textiles alongside custom décor from local artisans immerse guests in the traditions of the native Huichol tribe and emphasize the area’s beautiful natural surroundings.
These eight spaces are now in addition to the resort’s 12 other suites, and all feature private plunge pools. The property is currently offering groups an exclusive starting rate for a buyout of all 20 of its suites, which includes additional benefits, such as a private yoga class, a private family-style moonlit dinner with a 2-hour open bar, one evening of DJ entertainment, daily breakfast for two adults per room at the property’s Venazu restaurant, and double Marriott Bonvoy points.
W Punta de Mita offers a total of 126 guest rooms and suites, as well as the 4,000-square-foot AWAY SPA and numerous international dining options, plus two oceanfront pools, an onsite surfing program and many more exciting, destination-focused activities, from ceviche-making lessons to a group Sacred Cacao Ceremony.
Read More: Playing with Nature: Outdoor Adventures in Riviera Nayarit
