Meliá Hotels International ceases management and brand services for 15 hotels in Cuba

Meliá Hotels International, a Spanish hospitality group, announced it is immediately ending its management, commercialisation services, and brand licensing for 15 hotels in Cuba, citing shifting geopolitical, social, legal, and economic circumstances.

The decision, first conveyed to the hotel owners on May 26 and now formally confirmed, stems from the company’s continuous risk‑assessment effort and reflects its aim to maintain an orderly, sustainable operating framework.

Meliá said the action results from external factors outside its control that have substantially affected the operational, legal, and security environment needed to provide services effectively.

In its statement, the company said the step was taken “under a firm commitment to responsible business conduct” to keep operations in line with its standards and responsibilities.

The properties impacted by the decision are: Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja Member of The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE Catedral Habana, Meliá Buena Vista, Meliá Cayo Santa María, Meliá Jardines del Rey, Meliá Las Dunas, Meliá Península Varadero, Paradisus Los Cayos, Paradisus Princesa Mar, Paradisus Río de Oro, Paradisus Varadero, Sol Caribe Beach, Sol Cayo Santa María, Sol Río de Luna y Mares and Sol Varadero Beach.

The company added that the overall impact is expected to be modest, since most of the affected hotels are presently inactive because of ongoing energy shortages and softened tourism demand in Cuba.

“Meliá Hotels International reaffirms its dedication to upholding the highest operational integrity standards and will keep monitoring the situation to reassess its future role in the destination,” the company said.

Meliá noted that it is putting specific action plans in place to guarantee an orderly, structured withdrawal. Simultaneously, it is activating communication protocols to deliver transparent, timely updates to suppliers, business partners, and customers.

The company also thanked stakeholders for their understanding and continued trust, noting that it will keep watching developments in Cuba to assess any future market opportunities.