Corporate travelers have named five Sol Meliá Hotels and Resorts in Latin America and the Caribbean as among the best to visit in 2000, according to LatinFinance Magazine.

“It is a great achievement and honor that LatinFinance has recognized Sol Meliá in five capital cities across Latin America,” said Emanuel Schreibmaier, vice president of sales and marketing for Sol Meliá`s Americas division, based in Miami. “Our goal is to broaden our services, amenities and strategies to fulfill the diversified needs of our guests, especially in our business hotels.”

LatinFinance`s Awards for Excellence: The Best Hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean were published in the 2000-2001 Corporate Travel Guide to Latin America. Hotels were ranked by country and Sol Meliá was recognized for the Gran Meliá São Paulo Hotel & WTC Convention Center, São Paulo, Brazil; the Meliá Guatemala Spa & Convention Center, Guatemala City, Guatemala; the Gran Meliá Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela; the Meliá Confort Corobici, San Jose, Costa Rica; and the Meliá Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Gran Meliá São Paulo Hotel & WTC Convention Center, a five-star 300-room grand luxury urban property and is part of a $500 million World Trade Center international business complex, the first of its kind in Brazil. The 16-story all-suite hotel and rooftop helipoint are located next to the 26-story World Trade Center office tower and a three-floor shopping mall with 120 shops, all specializing in interior design and decor.

The high-tech convention center with 31 meeting rooms and a total seating capacity of 2,000 offers the latest fiber optic technology and videoconferencing. It became a reality 5 years ago when it opened. Located in the heart of the capital city of Guatemala, the five-star, 194-room Meliá Guatemala provides comfort and convenience for business and leisure travelers alike.

The hotel has a dedicated business center and full service his-and-her treatment spa, as well a specialized business center with personal computer connections, fax/modem services, eight meeting rooms along with three extra meeting rooms for smaller events (20 to 40 guests) and 8 suites with kitchenettes for long-stay guests.

The 432-room Gran Meliá Caracas is a five-star luxury hotel, which allows the combination of business with pleasure in unmatched luxury and serenity. Meeting space includes thirty meeting rooms, which can be divided into 28 breakout rooms, accommodating up to 1,250 people.

The hotel boasts five world-class restaurants as well as state-of-the-art recreational facilities, which include a fitness center with a Jacuzzi, outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam bath, massage services and jogging path. All of Caracas is at your feet, from its fabulous shopping districts to its world-famous museums.

Nearby are stunning natural parks, Plaza Venezuela, and the International Airport of Maiquet’a (only 25 miles away). The nearest subway station is also just 30 feet from the hotel, giving you instant access to Caracas City Center and all its cultural, commercial and entertainment activities.

The Meliá Confort Corobic’ provides convenient access for business travelers and vacationers to downtown San José and nearby attractions such as world-class shopping and fine dining. The hotel offers 203 rooms, each with a view of the city or countryside. The hotel boasts two executive floors, an exotic Japanese restaurant, a full-service health club, casino and meeting facilities with combined conference rooms offering 17,500 square feet of meeting space, accommodating up to 1,000 guests.

Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the 245-room Meliá Santo Domingo is the ideal location for vacationers and business travelers visiting the Dominican Republic`s capital city, the oldest city of the New World. The completely renovated hotel is located in the Central Zone of Santo Domingo, close to all government offices, the historic Colonial Zone, shopping, business and entertainment. The hotel offers exceptional dining, Royal Service floors, a disco, casino, entertainment, lounges and meeting facilities.

Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts is one of the world`s most successful hotel companies with its three brands - Meliá Hotels, Sol Hotels and Paradisus Resorts - totaling more than 260 hotels in 27 countries.

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