It is in One of the most beautiful streets in the city of Buenos Aires. Glamorous and exclusive, with stately buildings, art galleries and beautiful cafes, the Arroyo Street It is an attraction in itself. Right there, half block, the Hotel Casa Lucíaremodeled and reopened just over a year ago, just added a novelty to the neighborhood: it became part of The Meliá Collection brandof the Meliá Hotels International Group.
In this Select Hotel Group There are buildings in several destinations in the world that stand out for their artistic or cultural legacy, for being unique. And at Casa Lucía, architecture and history are key: the hotel is in the MIHANOVICH BUILDING, whose construction was ended in 1928 (here you can read the complete story)
In Argentina, the Meliá Group – founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain – is already more than 25 years ago, with a presence in Buenos Aires and, since 2017, also in Iguazú, with a hotel within the National Park and overlooking the Devil’s throat. But Casa Lucía is the first hotel of the Meliá Collection brand in Argentina and Latin America.
With 142 rooms, it is expected that in a month the process will end at Casa Lucía to “align your standards” to the brand’s requirements.
Anyway, they already have to celebrate: the hotel turned out Nominated by the World Travel Awards awards (WTA) in the categories “Best New Hotel in South America 2025” and “Best Hotel in Argentina 2025” (in this last category competes with that of Iguazú, which this year had five nominations and here you can see the complete note).
“The brand requires that the hotel that is part of Meliá Collection be Unique, exclusive, with a unique experience for hostcontributing value and a good story to tell, ”explains Víctor Donmez, Managing Director LATAM by Meliá Hotels International, in one of the room meetings of Casa Lucía.
Since March they are in the process of Transition and adaptationbut always with the hotel in operation, although they plan to make adjustments in common rooms and spaces. Moreover, a few day ago the New General ManagerCristina Cardenal.
As its name says, this brand has “collection hotels”, which attract attention for various aspects and ensure a very special stay.
For example, within group one you can find a building that was a residence of a Marquise dynasty in Paris or a sustainable architecture hotel in Serengeti National Park, one of the largest and largest and visited parks in Tanzania, where the traveler can see lots of animals and the phenomenon of the great migration. Or the Hotel Casa de las Artes in Madrid and the Kensington, a Boutique Hotel in London.
But beyond the novelty of Casa Lucía, Donmez tells all the projects that Meliá has in the country.
“Argentina is a country very rich in landscapes, culture, history, unique locationssome little known places, “he says and begins to list projects in which the company will be present with local partners, some already Under construction, like the Hotel de Ushuaiaof 220 rooms, who hope to open In 2027.
There are also plans in The caphatehe Lake Gutierrez, Salta, Mendoza (in the city and in the Uco Valley), Posadas And even in Costa del Este (Atlantic coast). “We want to contribute value to each destination,” he adds. It is also clear that adding properties in a country or in a region helps the flow of tourists, “to the extent that connectivity allows it“.
“Why Argentina? Why not? Argentina has been waiting for the growth that was needed. It has potential. Someone has to believe... Sometimes, things do not happen when you do not believe, “says Donmez excited about all the news that the hotel chain has in the country, where he also wants to bring other brands from Meliá such as Me and Zel, and the region in general. Optimistic, concludes:” There are a lot of space to grow“.