Meliá Hotels International and the owner of the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelona, together with Tyrus Capital, its main investor, have reached a long-term agreement to take over the management of the property, which will become part of the Gran Meliá luxury brand portfolio.

By passing under the Gran Meliá banner, the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I will be renamed Miranda de Pedralbes, in homage to the residential area where it is located.

With the aim of creating an exclusive luxury and lifestyle resort, the new Gran Meliá will improve communication between the hotel's spaces, which will also include the romantic gardens of the former Torre Melina, as well as a new rooftop space.

In alliance with experienced partners from the gastronomic and music scene, and taking advantage of its pool and garden area, the hotel will also have an avant-garde "pool club" concept in an urban version.

In addition, a gourmet restaurant of international prestige is planned, as well as an exclusive Spa with an internationally renowned signature.

In addition to the hospitality infrastructure, the complex includes the Catalonia Conference Centre, which was awarded the National Architecture Prize in 2001. Thanks to its experience in managing this type of facility, with successful examples such as the Palma Convention Centre, Meliá aims to position the complex among the best in Europe.

The group's objective with this acquisition and work is to create a true "destination hotel" for leisure guests, but also for business and conference travellers who wish to make the most of their stay.

Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá, thanked Barcelona City Council for "the desire to recover a key tourist asset for the city, which, under the expert management of our group and with the prestige of a brand such as Gran Meliá, will be able to continue to contribute to the creation of value and the social and economic profitability of the destination.