Meliá Braco Village, located upon the beautiful shores of Jamaica’s Rio Bueno, welcomed its first guest on Christmas Eve, but this all-inclusive gem offers more than the typical sand and surf resort. We spoke with Francy Gerdts-Voss, Accounts Manager for Meliá Hotels International about the exciting new addition to the Meliá Hotels and Resorts family to find out what makes this resort unique from other Caribbean getaways

Q: The hotel used to be the Braco Resort. What upgrades has Meliá completed to transform the resort into the Meliá Braco Village Resort?

A: The property has been completely transformed from the inside out. Meliá renovated from the back of the house*, which is the heart of the hotel, all the way to the rooms, public areas, restaurants, spas and grounds. Meliá maintained the shell of the hotel, which what makes it a unique property in Jamaica.

Q: The resort looks like it has an actual village on premise. Can you explain the resort’s layout and how it’s different from other Meliá resorts (or similar)?

A: This resort in particular has a unique setting, unique for the island’s standards and those of Meliá Hotels International. It is a small hotel that extends along the coastline, so most of the rooms and restaurants have an ocean view. The hotel is ideal for the Meliá Hotels and Resorts brand since at least 50 rooms are separated from the rest, creating the perfect setting for The Level, which is the concierge upgraded experience within the brand. Here, guests will find a seamless differentiation with The Level’s own check-in lounge, restaurant, and services. The brand attributes of Meliá Hotels and Resorts have found a natural fit within this hotel, and our clients can look forward to the same high standards of the brand in different and amazing locations throughout the Caribbean.

Q: The website says you have “unique rooms and suites with stunning views.” What makes these rooms unique? The style? The layout?

A: A little bit of everything. Most of the rooms are facing the beach, and on the first floor, you can literally open your French doors and be on the beach. This amenity is not often seen except in very expensive private villages. Within the renovation, we included a modern and relaxing look and feel, along with all the modern amenities you would find in a hotel in any mayor city around the world. Across the board, all views are fantastic.

 Related: 10 Foods You Can’t Miss in Jamaica

Q: What is the target market of the resort?

A: Jamaica is a great destination for honeymoon and weddings and has been listed as the one of the most romantic destinations in the Caribbean. While the island maintains its allure, there is a market for families, so we want to cater to everyone. Families with children will have access to services dedicated to them with the Kids and Co. Program (exclusive to the Meliá brand). We have proved on our international experience that adults and families can co-exist in a resort environment, and this is what we offer in Meliá Braco Village.

Q: Nikkei Restaurant offers a “delicious fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Peruvian cuisine.” What are some of the dishes that showcase this interesting combinations of flavors?

A: You will find Peruvian ceviche with white fish and seafood cooked in lemon and onion, followed by a selection of handmade sushi and delicacies from Japan. Huancaina potatoes and chaufa varieties of rice will be constant components of the menu. Remember, Peruvian cuisine was not only influenced by the ancients Incas but also Japanese and Chinese immigrants, so the fusion is on!

 Related: Why Falmouth Is Jamaica’s Hidden Gem

Q: Have you hosted your first wedding yet?

A: Not yet! But it will be a special event, just as all the weddings made under the Romance by Meliá and Romance by Paradisus programs are. Where everything is hidden in the detail, the personal touch of the bride is followed, and nothing is fabricated.

Q: This is Meliá first venture in Jamaica. How does the resort showcase the destination?

A: Jamaica is everywhere at Braco Village! The resort actually resembles the town square of Falmouth, the capital of the Parish of Trelawny. So you will see coconut vendors offering its frozen produce to guests, along with pineapple and raw sugar cane. Guests are welcomed to the hotel by a Mento band putting them in the Jamaican laid-back mood from the get-go. The O’Grille restaurant offers daily grilled options including jerk chicken, pork, and patties, and at night it becomes an a la carte restaurant with Jamaican specialties.

Q: What are the benefits of being located in Trelawny?

A: It is a quiet area but not too quiet. It is real Jamaica with some unique attractions nearby. You can sail on a raft down the Martha Brae River, which is a Jamaican version of a gondola ride. You can also visit the Glistering Waters, which is an inlet that has a type of algae that glows at night with the movement of the water. These attractions are both in Trelawny and really close to the hotel. Also being in Trelawny puts you in the middle of the road, close to “Mobay” (Montego Bay), to the golf courses in Runaway Bay and horseback riding attractions with polo at Chukka Cove. Ocho Rios is less than an hour away, and so are the Dunn’s River Falls. I would say Trelawny is an ideal location for a Jamaican vacation.

 Related: Discover Paradise in Jamaica!

Q: Is there anything you’d like our readers to know about the resort that hasn’t been mentioned? 

A: This hotel will find its full potential under the Meliá family. For many years we were looking to find the right fit for one of our hotels in Jamaica, and this is it. The property started as a family project that has passed down through generations and needed a company with skill, experience, and solidity to run it and take it where it should be. We have no doubts this will be our best hotel in the region.

Find awesome deals to Melia Braco Village and other luxurious Melia Resorts now with GOGO Vacations!

* Back of the House is the common expression in the hotel business that refers to the kitchen, loading area, staff quarters and all areas that the guest does not see. Front of the House is what the guest sees.