Melia Hotels International has announced the opening of Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel is located on Santo Tomás Beach, Menorca. The energy-efficient, carbon-neutral hotel was built with a focus on environmental responsibility to the Spanish island, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993.
The renovation of what was once the Sol Beach House Hotel was led by architect Álvaro Sans. The hotel faces the Mediterranean and reflects the traditions of local architecture, with abundant natural light flooding its spaces through large arches. All 159 guestrooms, including 45 suites, have private balconies with city or sea views. Amenities range from private pools to secluded rooftops with views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Villa Le Blanc opens with the goal to serve as an international benchmark for efficient and environmentally friendly hotels. The hotel’s sustainability project aims to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint by incorporating facilities and technologies that will enable it to reduce its scope one and two emissions by 87 percent. In addition, the hotel will explore alternatives to offset the remaining emissions and thus ensure its full carbon neutrality status (net zero), contributing to the company’s decarbonization objectives.
The hotel has also adopted a circular-economy model in its waste management, aimed at reducing waste to a minimum by reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products. Residual heat from air-conditioning systems will be used to pre-heat hot water and heated swimming pools, water from the swimming pools will be used for cleaning the hotel, and rainwater will be used to irrigate the gardens.
The hotel’s dining outlets pay homage to local products, with menus using ingredients from the island farms. Located on the first-floor terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, Villa Le Blanc will be home to S’Amarador, a seafood restaurant. The hotel will also be home to Cru, a restaurant serving local cuisine.
At the Spa by Anne Semonin, treatments will use all-natural, vegan products. Guests can unwind at the hydrothermal circuit consisting of a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam. Villa Le Blanc will also launch in-room amenities with bath products and aromas designed by Carner Barcelona artisan perfumers.
Villa Le Blanc, Gran Meliá remains open for the summer season through October 2022 and reopens for the next season in late April 2023.
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