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In line with its strategy to double in size within five years, Le Meridien has announced two new hotel management contracts, one of which represents the first of its new-look ‘Art + Tech’ properties in the North American continent.
The upscale hotel company will introduce its stylish design concept for rooms and public areas at the 22-storey Art & Tech by Le Meridien at Minneapolis, opening this November as the first step in an expansionist partnership in the United States with Graves Hospitality.
According to Sami Zoghbi, Le Meridien regional director, Middle East & West Asia, the Minneapolis hotel will introduce a dramatically different style of hotel product to the United States, offering an experience never seen before in a global luxury hotel group: “We look forward to continuing to expand Art + Tech in other strategic markets as we moved forward with our aggressive expansion plans for Le Meridien, both in North America and elsewhere,” he said.
“Our belief is that travellers are tired of the similar-looking, interchangeable room products offering by our competitor upscale hotel chains – we are offering cutting edge luxury accommodation as well as an added element of innovation and surprise, and will showcase this in the 255-room Minneapolis hotel with its contemporary meeting rooms, restaurants and bars, and health
centre.”
Meanwhile, Le Meridien has also announced a management contract to operate a 176-room ‘hi-tech’ hotel at Hong Kong’s Cyberport, a new IT infrastructure project at Telegraph Bay that includes offices, residences and shops.
Located at the gateway to the development, Le Meridien@Cyberport will be a flagship development to spearhead growth in North Asia, and will debut in autumn 2003, featuring a Royal Club floor, two restaurants, lobby lounge, meeting rooms, a health club and outdoor swimming pool.
Room design will be compatible with the group’s Art + Tech concept, while the latest technology will be used in line with its state-of-the-art IT location – innovative guest facilities will include remote check-in and check-out, broadband communications and wireless Internet access, up to 120 channels of satellite television and a Cyberportal featuring up-to-the-minute news.
“We are expecting a surge in business visitors to North Asia from the Middle East – particularly in view of China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation – and this development is well timed to offer a dynamic new hotel product with the comfort of Le Meridien hospitality promise,” said Russel Sharpe, regional senior vice president, sales & marketing.
“Together with our new property in Minneapolis, this latest announcement demonstrates a commitment to growth that will see Le Meridien name in major city and resort destinations worldwide – offering travellers worldwide our innovative and individual approach to stylish luxury.” |
