Domina Marina Varadero Takes Over Former Meliá Property, Promises Unmatched Luxury In Struggling Cuba

Published on December 28, 2025

Domina Marina Varadero, a newly relaunched hotel by the Italian hotel chain Domina, is located right at the center of Cuba’s most sought-after beach resort, Varadero, where the Meliá Marina Varadero that used to be very popular is now silent. The opening has been revealed by the Gaviota Tourism Group, which is a firm owned by the Cuban military business consortium GAESA, and it marks the latest effort to revitalize Cuba’s tourism industry which has been suffering due to economic difficulties.

A New Name for a Familiar Destination

After undergoing extensive renovations, the hotel that was once known as Meliá Marina Varadero now welcomes guests as Domina Marina Varadero. The transformation aims to position the resort as a premium destination for those seeking an exclusive Cuban experience. With newly revamped dining areas, recreational zones, and luxury rooms overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, Gaviota invites travellers to explore a refined environment focused on comfort and authenticity.

The announcement, shared widely on Gaviota’s Facebook page, celebrates the renovation of the property, promising visitors a luxurious stay. The Italian management has focused on creating a space where every detail reflects excellence and exclusivity, according to the hotel’s promotional materials. Visitors are encouraged to discover the new phase of the property, which is poised to become a sought-after location for affluent tourists looking for high-end experiences in Cuba.

The Meliá Marina Varadero Legacy

While the Domina Marina Varadero promises a new dawn for the resort, some Cubans have questioned the reasons behind the change of ownership. Formerly managed by Meliá Hotels International, the property struggled in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted global tourism. Although no official explanation for the ownership change was provided, many residents speculated that the property’s decline under the Meliá brand played a role.

Meliá Marina Varadero, which opened in 2013 as a five-star resort with 423 rooms, once boasted a luxury experience with a marina, diving centre, and all-inclusive services. However, reports of its decline began to surface by 2024, when visitors described the hotel as dilapidated and unsanitary. Guests reported broken elevators, dimly lit hallways, and poorly maintained rooms during their stays. The situation deteriorated so much that it became a nightmare for a Canadian family who stayed at the hotel in 2024. They recounted bloodstains on the sheets, broken facilities, and filthy common areas, painting a grim picture of the resort’s downfall.

Tourism in Cuba Amid Economic Crisis

While tourism has been a critical part of Cuba’s economy, the government’s emphasis on luxury destinations such as Domina Marina Varadero comes at a time when the country is experiencing severe economic hardship. The ongoing blackouts, food shortages, and skyrocketing inflation have left many Cubans struggling to meet their basic needs. According to local reports, power cuts often last 12 to 20 hours, and many grocery stores remain empty, with basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable. Meanwhile, state-run tourism ventures like Gaviota continue to receive significant investments, with GAESA, a military-owned company, controlling much of Cuba’s hotel management sector.

Despite these challenges, the government continues to focus heavily on international tourism, aiming to draw foreign currency and keep the tourism sector afloat. With international visitor numbers fluctuating, new hotel openings and renovations are seen as a way to attract higher-paying foreign guests, despite local markets remaining underperforming.

Domina Marina Varadero: A Symbol of Cuba’s Tourism Strategy

The reopening of Domina Marina Varadero reflects a broader pattern within the country’s economic strategy: prioritizing foreign investments in tourism while neglecting critical sectors that serve the local population. The military-run Gaviota Group has been investing heavily in transforming Cuba into a tourism powerhouse, focusing on beach resorts, luxury accommodations, and all-inclusive services. However, this model has faced increasing challenges as tourist numbers have failed to meet expectations, with some resorts continuing to operate at low occupancy levels.

The Domina Marina Varadero might offer a beacon of hope for the tourism industry in Varadero, but it also underscores the disparity between the experiences of international tourists and local Cubans. As Gaviota promotes the hotel as a luxury enclave, millions of Cubans face daily struggles to access basic services such as healthcare, electricity, and food.

The Future of Tourism in Cuba

With Cuba’s tourism sector in a state of flux, the success of Domina Marina Varadero may serve as a litmus test for the country’s evolving tourism strategy. As GAESA’s influence continues to grow in the hospitality sector, it remains to be seen whether investments in luxury resorts will be enough to sustain Cuba’s broader economic recovery. While tourism remains an essential part of the economy, it’s clear that the prioritisation of luxury resorts is at odds with the economic realities faced by everyday Cubans.

The Domina Marina Varadero marks another chapter in Cuba’s efforts to maintain its tourism-driven economy while managing an escalating economic crisis. The resort’s reopening offers hope for attracting wealthy foreign tourists seeking premium experiences in one of Cuba’s most iconic destinations, but whether the broader population will benefit from this focus on tourism luxury remains uncertain.

Bottom Line

The opening of Domina Marina Varadero is aimed at visitors who want to enjoy luxurious accommodations along the unspoiled Cuban shore. At the same time, it highlights the stark differences between the country’s tourist places, which have been prioritized for foreign visitors, and the domestic problems that still persist. The reopening is an opportunity for the Cuban tourism industry to get back on its feet, but it is also a clear sign of the economic disparity that still exists on the island. With tourism being the main source of income for Cuba, the coming years will be crucial for the country’s luxury tourism model to coexist with the needs of its population.