THE BEST PLACE TO BE
The luxurious Circle by Meliá collection premieres in Punta Cana.
Do you want to be par t of an exclusive community of members? Welcome to Circle by Meliá, where the classic concept of membership has been modernised and brought up to date. The first resor t in this luxurious collection is about to open in Punta Cana, and is closely aligned with the Paradisus by Meliá brand.
Imagine belonging to a community of customers who are loyal to a brand that’s constantly evolving according to their tastes—from culinary and cultural preferences to specialised wellness treatments and amenities for couples and children.
To join this exclusive holiday community, there are three types of membership available: Infinite Blue, Infinite Red and Infinite Black Experience. Each option allows you to buy a 30-year membership. This is the ‘currency ’ that allows you to spend ten days, a month, or however long you wish at The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana: a new hotel with 288 rooms and 144 suites that are exclusive to Circle by Meliá members.
‘The programme lets members purchase points in advance, which they can then save up. Guests will also have access to the new hotel, with unique experiences and superior services that are designed according to their wishes, such as airport transfer, exclusive dining experiences, spa treatments and so on’, explains Marco Fanton, Marketing Director at Circle by Meliá.
HIGH-VALUE MEMBERSHIP
‘The concept of hotel timeshares and memberships has changed radically in recent years, as has the way we enjoy products in general’, says the marketing director of this exclusive community.
‘In the past, someone virtually bought a week or a space in a hotel (a concept known as a “timeshare”, which works very well in North America and is quite common). This kind of membership used to be a way of saving money in exchange for committing to a few years with us.
‘Nowadays, in a world where people get a new iPhone every six months, this commitment is less attractive if you don’t offer something truly unique. Our proposal—Circle
by Meliá—is all about the details; we stay in touch with our guests and gather feedback from them throughout the year, and members are able to modify the product itself ’.
This is especially evident when it comes to the resort’s restaurants: ‘The Paradisus Palma Real resort has 15 restaurants that are constantly evolving. The cuisine they offer is not set in stone, but rather is dependent on our members’ wishes. This creates a relationship where members’ feedback materialises in new restaurant concepts’, explains Marco Fanton. For instance, ‘if we have new culinary partners in the Meliá Hotels International group, this community of guests will be the first to enjoy them and, in a way, test them. For example, the idea is not to have an Italian restaurant in this resort, but to have an Italian concept that is continually evolving according to our members’ guidelines’.
Relationships with this community are established through the resort's concierges, who keep in touch with the families not only during their stay, but also throughout the year. ‘It's as though you have a personal concierge in Punta Cana who knows your loved ones and their wishes. By maintaining open communication during the whole year, they build a relationship before, during and after guests’ holidays’.
THE CIRCLE EXPERIENCE
‘The most exclusive and personalised Meliá Hotels International experience (the highest level of membership is Infinite Black) includes a personal butler who builds an emotional connection between the guest and the resort. They take care of everything, from customising the mini
bar in each guest’s room and making reservations at their favourite restaurants, to booking treatments in our signature Natura Bissé spa and arranging annual family photo shoots. The membership even includes completely complementary wedding planning. These are just some of the experiences designed for our Infinite Black members, to make the holiday feeling last forever ’, says Sara Ranghi, Global Customer Experience Director at Meliá Hotels International.
The resort’s 288 spacious suites range from 70 to nearly 280 square metres. Some of these are swim-up suites with direct access to the pool, garden and solarium. They each have one or two bedrooms, living and dining areas, baths and showers, as well as private balconies with hot tubs and outdoor spaces.
As for dining options, The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real will feature seven new restaurants and bars, all influenced by the local culture and cuisine. Guests can enjoy the very best food, from a ceviche bar serving fresh signature dishes to a modern, open-kitchen grill with Asian influences. The Grand Reserve also features a Cigar Bar with the best selection in the Caribbean.
In addition, guests at The Grand Reserve can enjoy the Stay at One & Play at Three concept, which offers full access to The Reserve and the Paradisus Palma Real. This creates a complex that includes 15 restaurants—including Passion by Martín Berasategui (at an additional cost)— plus the YHI Spa with an oriental garden, five pools and much more.