Melia Hotels International has signed to grow its presence in Italy, with a new hotel in the renowned destination of Venice.
The Melia Venezia Lido hotel will open in June 2025, having 60 guest rooms as well as a restaurant and bar. The hotel is located on the Lido di Venezia barrier island of the water-focused city.
Reviving a historic property
The new Melia property is currently being created through the refurbishment of a 1920s building. Italian partner, SoGes Group Spa, is overseeing the extensive renovations to deliver the new hotel for the summer season.
For Melia, the Venice hotel will be a valuable addition to its Italian portfolio, which currently numbers eight properties. A further six, including the Venezia Lido, have been signed into the development pipeline, for opening over the coming years.
“”The Mediterranean remains one of the key growth regions for Meliá,” said Melia chairman and CEO Gabriel Escarrer Jaume. “We are thrilled to partner with local groups like SoGes Group Spa, while also exploring new avenues of collaboration to expand our presence in strategic destinations.”
For property management group SoGes, the affiliation with Melia will be its first collaboration with an international brand. The company has eight properties under management, many of them operating under its Place of Charme brand. It has built its business to date by acquiring, developing and managing properties across Tuscany. These include countryside properties, as well as city-oriented hotels, with three in Florence and one in the renowned tourist destination of Siena.
Originally founded in 1999, SoGes spent its early years in student accommodation. More recently, it became a listed business, following an IPO on the Italian market, and has focused instead on hospitality. Since the listing the group has been looking for more growth opportunities. In late 2024, it issued new bonds, and acquired a new project in Florence, the former Hotel Bretagna.
Expansion across Europe
Melia continues to drive its business forward, expanding internationally across its portfolio of brands. In Europe, ME by Melia Lisbon is shortly to open in the Portuguese capital, while in the Spanish home market, ZEL Madrid is under construction. Melia Eyes of Tirana will be a stunning addition in Albania, with its 140 rooms occupying the upper floors of a new city tower. In planning are Melia Famalicao in Portugal, and Hotel Palasa Beach in Albania, which will join the Melia Collection. Melia Becici Budva in Montenegro is also under way, with its 294 rooms welcoming guests later this year.
Further afield, Melia is also building its presence in Asia Pacific, with projects including the Melia Collection Arxan Hot-Spring Resort in Xinggan, China, and Melia Qinhan New Town in Xian. In Vietnam, the Melia Halong Bay and Melia Nha Trang are on their way to market. Also in the planning stage is Sol by Melia Cam Ranh, a substantial 816 room resort with multiple sports facilities, and a beachfront, due for completion in 2027.
