Santiago de Cuba is the island nation's number-two city and one of the most luring burgs for its landscapes, history and hospitable and jaunty people. These attributes are coupled with the conditions of such a lodging resort as the Meliá Santiago de Cuba Hotel, a place that guarantees splendid vacations or clinches the success of any congress, event and incentive travel.

Kindness, professionalism and a top-notch service have already given a good name to this hotel whose mailing address is Avenue of the Americas on the corner of M Street. Its 302 accommodations (268 standard rooms, 30 junior suites, three senior suites and one presidential suite) are comfortably well equipped and overlook a city that has long inspired legions of painters, musicians, storytellers and poets.

Son –the most typical Cuban rhythm sired in the mountains of this eastern region- plus other cultural manifestations and the one-and-only flavor of a brand of coffee abundantly grown up in those hills, can be enjoyed right in their own neck of the woods. Architectural and artistic motifs that bring back to life the very icons of Cuban identity, make up part of the hotel's decoration. The inner patio, spruced up with images depicting some of the city's best-known spots, is the first real encounter with the outstanding idiosyncrasy of the local dwellers.

A PARTY FOR THE SENSES

Cuisine finesse and exquisiteness are the name of game here. At the Meliá Santiago, gourmet variety and craftiness turn meals and drinking sprees into a party for the senses. Every night, La Casona Show Cooking Restaurant & Buffet offers a mosaic of international flavors ranging from the Mexican and French cuisine to the best English and Cuban food.

The hotel's public plaza is dominated by La Isabella, a Cuban nouvelle cuisine restaurant, and the Pizza Nouva, serving delicious Italian food. El Criollo barbecue & grill restaurant offers tasty dishes and plays Santiago's good traditional music.

Cocktails and drinks start right at the lobby all the way up to the Bello Bar watchtower and pub on the 15th floor. And for that special night we all yearn for, the Santiago Café is just the right place where patrons enjoy the city's most outstanding architectural values as they watch live performers and dance their bones out to the beat of their blaring instruments.

Staying at the Meliá Santiago feels like getting moonstruck by a hotel and a city that cast a spell on guests and drive visitors to come back again.