PAPAGAYO BAY, COSTA RICA Sol Meliá will open a new-build Paradisus Resorts all-inclusive luxury resort in Papagayo Bay, scheduled to open in July 2013. The announcement comes days after its former Paradisus Playa Conchal switched over to the Westin brand.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide took over management of the nearby Paradisus Playa Conchal on May 1. The 406-key property is now known as The Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa.
The new Paradisus Papagayo Bay is part of the Sol Meliá brand’s master expansion plan, which includes the November opening of two resorts in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and aims to solidify the Paradisus brand as a leader in the luxury all-inclusive market segment.
“The introduction of Paradisus Papagayo Bay to the Costa Rican market is the ideal opportunity to continue elevating Sol Meliá’s portfolio, while embodying the vision of our brand as a hospitality leader in the luxury all-inclusive sector,” says Alvaro Tejeda Schroeder, senior vice president of the premium portfolio and operations for the Americas. “We had tremendous success as pioneers with Paradisus Playa Conchal, and the superior product Paradisus Papagayo Bay brings to the region will continue the brand’s successful development of Guanacaste as a luxury destination.”
Sol Meliá will manage the new property for SunVesta Holding AG.
Located in the northern province of Guanacaste, the 381-key Paradisus Papagayo Bay is being developed on 21 ha of beachfront. Along with five restaurants and bars, the property will offer a YHI Spa and Health Club, an adults-only Royal Service level of accommodations and the Family Concierge program. It will also feature 19,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities.