LE MERIDIEN OPENS IN COCHIN

The global brand’s sixth property in India

Le Meridien announced its sixth hotel in India and twenty-second in the Middle East and West Asia region with the opening of Le Meridien Cochin (March 12 2001).

The 150-room hotel and adjacent convention centre is set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens, minutes from the city and commercial centre.

Michel Noblet, managing director, Le Meridien Middle East and West Asia acknowledged that the opening of the Cochin property further strengthens the global brand’s presence as the largest international operator in India. He said: "We plan to have a portfolio of ten properties representing some 4,000 rooms by 2004, and opening of Le Meridien Cochin is key to this expansion.

"India is instrumental in helping our brand target of more than doubling the Meridien global portfolio in three years – we would like 250 hotels worldwide by 2003." Le Meridien currently operates 150 hotels and resorts in 55 countries.

According to Noblet, Le Meridien Cochin is designed and landscaped to complement the local environment, while structured to accommodate business and conference travellers : "Le Meridien’s brand positioning is to combine European style and character with a genuine respect for the local environment and culture. Le Meridien Cochin set in lush, landscaped gardens bordering the backwaters, is a perfect example of this strategy."

Turning to facilities, most guestrooms overlook the nearby Kerala backwaters, many with a balcony access. A dedicated Royal Club serves 34 Royal Club rooms that offer a superior level of service and luxury.

The hotel’s cuisine is varied with a 24-hour food court and seven restaurants and bars serving international, local, Italian and Indo-Chinese seafood specialties.

Specifically for business travellers, Le Meridien Cochin features a state-of-the-art business centre and private meeting rooms in the hotel, with an adjacent, purpose-built convention centre able to accommodate up to 2,000 people for a conference. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technical equipment to support conference, presentations and workshops, including Internet and ISDN access, audio-visual conferencing and video projection facilities.

While for leisure, the hotel comprises a health & fitness centre, a yoga and massage centre, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a wide selection of water sports. A beauty parlour, gents salon, newsstand and gift shop are also among the additional facilities.

The hotel is located just a short drive from the domestic and international airport.

For hotel reservations (in India), Le Meridien recently established another first for an international hotel group, with the opening of a local market reservations centre for domestic and worldwide reservations. (Toll-free domestic bookings – 1600 11 6006; international bookings – 1600 111 290).

Le Meridien – the luxury brand of Forte Hotel Group - currently has a global portfolio of more than 150 hotels in 55 countries (32,000 rooms) worldwide and an annual turnover of just over US$2 billion.