Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts will expand its Paradisus-branded spa resort portfolio with two new Mexican sites.

Scheduled to open by the end of 2011, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda and Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla have been designed by architect Álvaro Sans and will increase the number of Paradisus resorts to eight - joining existing resorts in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

The 394-bedroom La Perla and the 512-bedroom La Esmeralda resort will share share a common area referred to as El Zocalo, a term in Mexican culture which signifies a city's social center.

Facilites at El Zocalo will include a 20,000sq ft (1,900sq m) YHI Spa housing 14 massage cabins, wet and dry saunas, a signature water ritual zone and a relaxation area.

Other leisure facilities include ten restaurants and a large health club with cv stations and a full programme of group classes.

Bernard Wyss, area vice president for Sol Melia's Paradisus brand, said: "Each Paradisus resort is envisioned as an oasis of modern design and décor for the sophisticated traveler who wants it all."