This Sol Meli flagship hotel is perched above a low, rocky cliff overlooking Playa Esmeralda. Set amid lush, meticulously landscaped gardens are handsome small two-story blocks of rooms and slightly more exclusive casitas, consisting of two apartments with separate terraces and outdoor showers. The rooms are very large and well appointed, with separate sitting areas, balconies, and large bathrooms.
Of these, those on the second floor have higher ceilings than those below, and those on the corners have larger balconies. Walkways wend through lush vegetation and around ponds; scattered about the grounds are private sitting areas and hammocks strewn lazily between trees. A couple of the specialized restaurants are in high demand, so it's a good idea to make reservations for the duration of your stay upon arrival.
The superb main beach is a short walk down some stairs built into the cliff, but the hotel also features three nearly private, tiny cove beaches accessed through the gardens (few guests seem to know about them). A serene, blue, wood bridge over a large pond leads to the other two Meli hotels on Esmeralda. At night the bridge is illuminated and is a particularly good spot if you're in the mood for a romantic walk after dinner.
