Spanish chain Meliá wins lawsuit over hotel management in Cuba

AREQUIPA, Peru – The Palma Court ruled in favor of the hotel chain Meliá Hotels International in a lawsuit by the company Central Santa Lucía LC for the management of hotels in Cuba.

As reported by the Mallorcan hotel company this Tuesday in a statement, cited by the EFE agency, the judicial body has rejected the appeal of the American company Central Santa Lucía LC for the claim for compensation against the company for the hotel management on the Island.

The procedure initiated by Central Santa Lucía LC derives from the claim by this company against Meliá for alleged compensation for businesses in Cuba that, according to the plaintiff, would involve the illicit use of properties that are defined in Helms Burton as “confiscated.” arguments that have not found judicial support in any of the instances explored by the plaintiff.

Now, the Provincial Court confirms the order issued in January 2023 by the Court of First Instance, which already declared the lack of jurisdiction of the Spanish courts to hear the procedure against the hotel chain, the Republic of Cuba and the Cuban company Gaviota SA

Consequently, it orders the dismissal of the proceedings and also condemns the North American entity to pay costs.

No appeal can be filed against the ruling of the Court of Palma, as the Mallorcan company has pointed out.

The Spanish hotel company Meliá has been one of the companies that has invested the most in Cuba during the last year. Last December, it inaugurated the new Sevilla Habana Affiliated, in Old Havana, while during the summer of 2023, it did the same with the INNSiDE Habana Catedral, a hotel with 50 rooms also located in the Cuban capital.

Recently, the company presented the Meliá Trinidad Peninsula, a resort located in the center of Cuba. The 5-star facility has 401 rooms, 80 of them dedicated to service. The Level with more personalized stays for people over 18 years of age and a selection of rooms with access to their own pool.

Meliá also has plans to launch a new establishment in the capital next year: the Plaza Hotel, with a total of 188 rooms.