NEW DESTINATION
Alongside shimmering shores and turquoise waters, Paradisus Los Cayos will soon be unveiled. This exclusive eco-resor t, carefully integrated into its pristine surroundings, is set to become the next big thing in Cuba’s hotel industr y.
Heaven on earth in Los Cayos, Cuba.
Behind the hip-shaking rhythms of the famous malecón hides an ideal opportunity for total relaxation: a range of remote and wild tropical isles, where the rest of the world fades into silence. The Villa Clara Keys—or the Northern Keys, as some cheekily call them—are bordered by an enormous coral reef that rivals the Belize Barrier Reef for the title of the second longest in the world, after, of course, the one in Australia.
The labyrinthine keys sit just off Cuba’s northern coast, but are connected to the mainland by a man-made rock causeway. There’s nothing more extraordinary than accessing these miniature paradises by way of the nearly 50-kilometre highway, which makes you feel like you’re driving on the surface of the sea. With the sky reflected in the calm waters, your surroundings seem to melt into the clouds.
At the end of this road, which crosses the Bay of Buena Vista, you’ll find Cayo Santa María—the brightest of all these insular gems. It’s a spot blessed by nature, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its endemic species and biodiversity. Here, carefully integrated into the environment in one of the island’s most unspoilt areas, Paradisus Los Cayos will rise from the sand. It’s Meliá’s newest hotel, offering an opportunity to immerse yourself in natural luxury. This exclusive beachside eco-resort is poised to become the crown jewel of Caribbean hospitality.
Elegant, sophisticated and contemporary, its greatest asset is the fact that it was built with sustainability in mind. Alvaro Sans, the man behind its architecture, explains: ‘the area in which it’s located has a high ecological value, and because of this we did a rigorous study regarding both the climatology and the flora and fauna. The main idea was to disrupt the landscape as little as possible, and to leave the trees and plants not involved in construction untouched, while transplanting 100% of the affected greenery ’.
It’s the result of a cutting-edge design that harmonises with the isle’s natural state, allowing the essence of the sea to seep in from all sides. Although it has more than 800 suites and junior suites, intimacy is its primary objective. ‘The architecture and interior design help our guests feel like they ’re at a boutique hotel, with five large patios that are open to the ocean. What’s more, it sits right in front of 750 metres of beach. And as if that weren’t enough, all the rooms have sea views’, adds Sans, who also points out the hotel’s three pools. ‘They ensure that the sunbathing areas are never overcrowded. They also sit right beside the natural forest, giving the impression that the hotel has always been part of the environment’, he concludes.
Enjoyment of the natural surroundings is, in fact, the fundamental feature of this eco-resort, which promises to satisfy even the most demanding guests. Although it’s the fourth Paradisus in Cuba, it’s the first that belongs to the new generation. This hotel takes the allinclusive experience one step further, adding a luxurious space for ultimate comfort. According to Maite Artieda, communication and PR manager for Meliá Cuba, ‘for those who prefer truly exceptional accommodation, there are The Reserve and the Royal Service. The first is like a hotel within the hotel, designed for guests who want highly personalised attention. The second is an adultsonly area that takes exclusivity to a whole new level’.
When it comes to cuisine, the resort truly reaches new heights. No fewer than 12 restaurants and 14 bars
make culinary variety one of its defining features. ‘The signature cuisine offers travellers the most revolutionary dishes, while specialised restaurants take them on an exquisite journey from traditional Mediterranean food to exotic Asian options and innovative Latin fusion’, says Artieda.
Not to mention, of course, the Caribbean flavours, which offer a unique experience of Cuba in one of its most beautiful settings. Cayo Santa María, which covers barely twenty square kilometres, condenses all the beauty of Cuba’s beaches and boasts the status of a one-of-a- kind wildlife reserve. ‘It’s a dreamlike place where ten of the country ’s endemic species live’, points out the communication manager.
Beneath the waves lies a fantastical world that’s also worth exploring. The barrier reef provides 24 spots ideal for recreational diving and underwater photography of its natural wonders. The sea also plays host to an interesting landmark: the San Pascual boat, known as El Pontón, lies stranded off the shores of Cayo Francés. You can visit this relic of naval engineering and gaze out across the spectacular landscape from its elevated deck’.