Spain’s Melia Hotels International has followed Blue Diamond Resorts, Iberostar Cuba and Archipelago International, announcing plans to cease management and other services for close to half its properties in Cuba.

Melia is one of the biggest players in Cuba. The Havana Times notes that of Melia’s 34 hotels in Cuba, close to half are co-managed with Gaviota.

“In the context of the evolving geopolitical, social, legal and economic environment in the Republic of Cuba, Meliá Hotels International announces that, as part of its ongoing and rigorous risk assessment process, it has taken the decision to immediately cease the provision of management and commercialization services, as well as the licensing of its hotel brands, in relation to 15 hotels located in the country,” said Melia.

The 15 impacted hotels are …

• Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja Member of The Meliá Collection
• INNSiDE Catedral Habana
• Meliá Buena Vista
• Meliá Cayo Santa María
• Meliá Jardines del Rey
• Meliá Las Dunas
• Meliá Península Varadero
• Paradisus Los Cayos
• Paradisus Princesa Mar
• Paradisus Río de Oro
• Paradisus Varadero
• Sol Caribe Beach
• Sol Cayo Santa María
• Sol Río de Luna y Mares
• Sol Varadero Beach

Melia said the decision “reflects a combination of external circumstances beyond Meliá’s control, which have materially affected the operational, legal, and security conditions necessary to ensure the proper delivery of services at these properties.

Melia added that the overall impact of this decision is limited, as the majority of the hotels listed are currently non-operational due to ongoing energy constraints and reduced demand affecting the Cuban market.

“Meliá Hotels International reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and will continue to closely monitor the situation to reassess its future position in the destination,” said the company.

Archipelago International dropped out, severing its property management ties with the Cuban hotel chain Gaviota.

The U.S. administration’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)’s deadline for companies to cease operations in Cuba, or face sanctions, is June 5.

Archipelago’s properties on the island include Grand Aston Havana, Grand Aston Varadero, Grand Aston Cayo Paredon, Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas and Aston Costa Verde, may remain open but will now be managed by Gaviota.

Iberostar also cut its ties with Gaviota, impacting the Spain-based hotel company’s management of a dozen resorts in Cuba. The 12 properties are under Gaviota’s umbrella and by extension the Cuban state, i.e. the Cuban military’s Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (Gaesa). According to reports, Iberostar will stay in Cuba with properties affiliated with Cubanacan and Gran Caribe. Included in the group of 12 hotels are the Hotel Grand Packard on Prado Avenue, the Iberostar Selection Habana located in the K Tower and currently closed due to the crisis, the Iberostar Selection Ensenachos in Cayo Santa María, the Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero, and the Iberostar Selection Esmeralda.

There was also confirmation earlier this week that Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba has ceased operations effective immediately in Cuba after a months-long wind-down that began in February 2026, when mass repatriations brought thousands of Canadian travellers back from the island.

Source: Travelweek
Lead image caption: Paradisus Princesa Mar