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Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts' Expansion Plans continue

Travel News Asia 21 January 2005

Global hotel group, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, continued its worldwide expansion during 2004 by adding ten new hotels to its portfolio and twenty-one new properties, located throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, are currently in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond.

The hotel group's ongoing expansion plans will see the launch of many hotels in top cities and resorts around the world, including:

2005

AFRICA

* Le Méridien Abuja, Nigeria (June 2005 -- 570 rooms) – A city centre hotel located next to the Abuja Conference Centre and close to the many government institutions, the property will feature a shopping arcade, four restaurants, two bars and a night club, plus private function rooms, including a ballroom. Guests will have use of the health club, squash and tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool.

* Le Méridien Ibom Resort, Nigeria (December 2005 -- 151 rooms) – Situated on a plateau with commanding views of the surrounding forest, the luxury resort, just 5 km from Uyo, in Nigeria’s oil-producing region, is to be designed in elegant, contemporary African style. Key features will include 1,200 sq. m of flexible conference space, two fine-dining restaurants, a fitness centre, swimming pool and 18-hole golf course.

* Le Méridien Marhaba-Casablanca, Morocco (Q4 2005 -- 300 rooms) – A new property in the heart of Casablanca’s business and cultural district, the 21-storey hotel is to boast a technically-advanced business and conference centre, fitness club and pool, a discotheque, meeting rooms and a ballroom accommodating up to 300. A range of dining outlets will cater for everything from informal gatherings to elegant, fine dining, and will include a rooftop bar with panoramic views over the Old Medina, the Hassan 2nd Mosque and seaport.

AMERICA

* Le Méridien Sunny Isles Beach, Miami (Spring 2005 -- 210 units) – This new 25-storey project of one and two bedroom suites with state-of-the-art kitchens is located just north of Miami in Sunny Isles Beach. Combining a beachfront resort experience with sophisticated European style, the hotel will feature chic, contemporary design, 6,300 sq. ft. spa and fitness centre, beach cabanas, infinity-edge swimming pool and the newest BiCE restaurant, known for fine Italian cuisine around the world.

ASIA PACIFIC

* Le Méridien Kathmandu, Nepal (Q1 2005 – 68 rooms plus four cottages with eight rooms each) – located in 500 acres of forest with an 18-hole golf course.

* Le Méridien Karachi, Pakistan (Q2 2005 -- 320 rooms) – Located five minutes from the new airport on a 10-acre site, the 140-roomed main hotel is surrounded by single-storey colonial-style buildings which will provide an additional 180 rooms. There will be a choice of four restaurants, an Olympic-size swimming pool, retail outlets, health club and two banqueting suites for 1,000.

* Le Méridien She Shan, China (Q4 2005 -- 325 rooms) – Overlooking Yuehu Lake, the hotel is located in the National Tourist Resort of She Shan, in the Northern suburb of the Songjiang Satellite City in Shanghai, just 25 minutes from downtown Shanghai. Facilities will include extensive convention facilities for over 2,000 delegates, three restaurants, retail outlets, resort pools, comprehensive spa facilities and a health club.

EUROPE

* Le Méridien St Julians, Malta (Summer 2005 – 280 rooms) – Located on the waterfront in Balluta Bay, the fashionable St. Julians resort area of Malta. Built in the grounds of the historic 19th century Villa Cassar Torregiani, which is being fully renovated, guests may opt for sea-view accommodation or rooms facing the valley.

Two-Michelin-starred Chef Michel Rostang will develop menus for the Mediterranean brasserie, Champagne Lounge and top-floor pool deck bar. Facilities are to include a business centre, shops, spa, indoor and roof-top pools, beauty treatment rooms and exercise studios, plus a conference centre on one floor with 14 rooms including an amphitheatre. The largest room has a capacity for up to 315 delegates. Renovation of the villa, built in the late 1800s, will create five lavish suites in the Art + Tech design concept.

MIDDLE EAST

* Grosvenor House Hotel and Apartments by Le Méridien, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Q2 2005 -- 400 rooms) – Situated on the Dubai marina, with unrivalled views, accommodation at this 46-storey tower hotel is to comprise luxurious rooms, suites and one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all with private balconies, plasma screen televisions and the latest in-room technology. All rooms will feature 24-hour butler service. Other facilities will include a business centre, numerous restaurants and bars, plus a conference centre incorporating a multi-function ballroom. Recreational opportunities are to include a spa and health centre, gymnasium and two swimming pools. Guests will also have access to spa and beach facilities at the nearby Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa.

* Le Méridien Hurghada, Egypt (Q3 2005 -- 520 rooms) – An exclusive resort on the banks of the Red Sea, terraces set into the surrounding hills will afford panoramic views over the crystal clear waters from every guest room. Lagoons, a private beach and marina, plus three seawater and natural salt swimming pools are to surround the hotel’s grounds, providing endless water sports and leisure opportunities. There will be six restaurants, a coffee house, nightclub, several shops, fitness and business centres, plus 1,640sq. metres of meeting space, which includes a ballroom accommodating 1,000.

* Le Méridien Dahab, Egypt (Q3 2005 -- 200 rooms) – An internationally acclaimed diving and surfing destination, Dahab overlooks the Gulf of Akaba, just a 45-minute drive from Sharm el Sheikh. All rooms at the seafront hotel, which has its own private beach, will have terraces and stunning sea views. Facilities are to include tennis and squash courts, two swimming pools, shops, a ballroom, three restaurants and a bar.

2006 and beyond

* Le Royal Méridien Shanghai, China (Q1 2006 -- 770 rooms) – Situated on Shanghai’s famous Nanjing Road in the heart of the commercial centre and main shopping area, this super-luxury hotel is destined to rival any in the city. The impressive range of hotel facilities will reflect the very best of modern-day Shanghai, and is to include the latest in-room technology, a plethora of international restaurants and bars, a Cantonese restaurant, two ballrooms and multiple function rooms. Le Royal Méridien Shanghai will be the tallest building in Shanghai’s Puxi central business district.

* Le Méridien Salmiya, Kuwait (Jan 2006 -- 80 rooms) – Located in the fashionable shopping district of Kuwait City, adjacent to the biggest shopping mall in town, the hotel is set to provide a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city. The English tea lounge will be a feature of the property, which is to be designed in classic European style. A health club and restaurant are also planned.

* Le Méridien, Split, Croatia (Q1 2006 -- 381 rooms) – The only internationally affiliated hotel in the Split area, the hotel is currently being redeveloped to re-open as a fully integrated sea front resort destination offering three restaurants, four bars and the largest conference space in Croatia – 2,000 square meters. There will also be indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities, a private beach with water sports and tennis courts. The hotel is 20-minutes by road or boat from the city centre and a 40-minute drive from Split-Kastela International Airport.

* Le Méridien Mubarakiya, Kuwait (Mid-2006 -- 92 rooms) – In Kuwait City, the heart of the commercial district, the hotel is in close proximity to key financial institutions, including the Stock Exchange. With the business traveller in mind, state-of-the-art technology will be installed in all bedrooms, and a business centre and three meeting rooms provided. A specialty restaurant, as well as a grillroom, will give guests a choice of all-day dining.

* Le Méridien Towers Makkah (June 2006 – 1320 rooms) – The hotel will be built in eight adjacent buildings on the outskirts of Makkah. Eight towers will make this the largest all suite hotel in Makkah, attracting families and individuals during the Umrah and Haj season. The suites will range from one to three bedrooms.

* Le Méridien Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (June 2006 – 200 rooms) – The hotel is to be built in the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, where Government offices and head quarters of all the major corporations and businesses are located. Many major airlines fly into Riyadh and the load factor of these flights is consistently over 75 per cent.

* Le Méridien Hyderabad, India (opening July 2006 –250 rooms) - This project includes a hotel with 250 rooms, a ballroom with a 2000 capacity, eight meeting rooms, five restaurants and bars, a shopping arcade with 150 shops and an office complex. The hotel is located in the heart of the city within reach of Cyber City, the airport and shopping malls.

* Le Méridien Bangkok, Thailand (Q4 2006 –350 rooms) –Le Méridien Bangkok will be developed in the central business hub of Bangkok within close proximity of prominent business and banking headquarters, embassies, major entertainment and shopping centres. The hotel will be located 30-minutes from Bangkok International Airport and five minutes walk from the Sky Train making it ideal for both business and leisure guests. This contemporary addition to the Bangkok hotel market will feature state-of-the-art technology and restaurants and bars, a ballroom, a choice of meeting rooms, fully equipped business centre, health club and a separate spa.

* Le Méridien Chiang Mai, Thailand (Q4 2006 – 480 rooms) – Located in the heart of Thailand’s second City, next to the famous Night Bazaar and the main shopping district at Chang Klan Road. This new build will offer 480 state-of-the-art guestrooms, a choice of restaurants and bars, meeting and banqueting facilities, swimming pool and fully equipped spa.

* Le Méridien Frankfurt Airport, Germany (opening date to be confirmed -- 680 rooms) – A new breed of luxury airport hotel will be unveiled at Frankfurt Airport with the launch of this dramatically-designed futuristic five-star Art + Tech property. Constructed atop the new Airrail Centre, each guest room will feature every modern accoutrement and comfort, such as flat screen plasma television sets with high-speed Internet access, multi-jet power showers, and the exclusive Le Méridien bed with duvet and fine linens. Facilities are to include a Grand Lobby with bar and lounge, restaurants, and business, wellness and fitness centres. The Art + Tech Forum will provide 2,000 square meters of flexible meeting space, accommodating 500 in its largest room.

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