Messi, the world’s best player in recent years, has also delved into the hospitality business. With his brand MiM (Messi + Majestic), he offers hotel stays with an eco-friendly approach and accessible luxury, all in a distinctly Mediterranean style. Now, Messi has made a strategic move by transferring control of his hotels to the Meliá Hotels International chain.
The Meliá Collection, the division that will manage the Messi hotels, already has 26 properties open or in the planning phase
MiM hotels are characterized by their contemporary design, local cuisine, and an emphasis on the experience of staying in a hotel with these characteristics. Meanwhile, The Meliá Collection, the division that will manage the Messi hotels, already has 26 properties open or in the planning phase in more than 12 countries. According to experts, these types of transfers are common in the hotel industry. In Argentina, for example, Meliá has Casa Lucia – Member of Meliá Collection, the first hotel in the Americas that the Meliá Hotels International group incorporated under its most exclusive luxury brand at the beginning of this year, and which has established itself as a must-see in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
This agreement marks a milestone for the footballer’s brand
Speaking in specifics, the change is being implemented under a lease and management model, allowing Meliá to take operational control of the hotels without Messi losing ownership of the property. In other words, the hotels continue to bear the Leo Messi brand, but are managed under a different umbrella. This agreement marks a milestone for the footballer’s brand, as the Meliá hotels will be integrated into the exclusive division The Meliá Collection, characterized by unique hotels in attractive locations, focused on the luxury segment and premium experiences. Meliá is one of the best-positioned hotel brands in the world.
MiM Hotels: elements associated with the player, such as the “Messi Suite” or replicas of the Ballon d’Or
In this way, the hotels will retain the distinctive identity of being owned by Messi, which in several cases already includes elements associated with the player, such as the “Messi Suite” or replicas of the Ballon d’Or, but will benefit from the global distribution and extensive reputation of a group with years of experience behind it. “The strength of this new alliance lies in the complementarity of the MiM and The Meliá Collection portfolios, which not only share the same philosophy and a joint value proposition for the most discerning travelers, but also have the backing and inspiration of a global icon like Leo Messi,” explains Gabriel Escarrer, President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International.
This alliance only strengthens the strength of the Leo Messi brand within the hotel world
One of the hallmarks of Messi’s hotels is that each MiM hotel reflects a distinct experience, in keeping with the surroundings and identity of the region where it’s located. The hotels owned by Leo Messi include Hotel MiM Sitges (Barcelona); Hotel MiM Ibiza Es Vivé; Hotel MiM Mallorca; Hotel MiM Baqueira; Hotel MiM Andorra; and Hotel MiM Sotogrande Club Marítimo (Cádiz). According to Gabriel Escarrer, this alliance is characterized by the fact that the owner is Leo Messi, founder of the chain, “and the guarantee of a leading hotel management group like Meliá.”
What is certain is that this alliance only strengthens the strength of the Leo Messi brand within the hotel world, enjoying the trust and support of a group like Meliá. There are rumors about possible future openings in other parts of the world, something many fans are not ruling out, especially with the footballer’s foray into the United States after his arrival in Miami. Time will tell.
