COVER IMAGE Le MEridien Zhengzhou, china
LE MERIDIEN: DESTINATION UNLOCKED With the strongest and most globally diverse portfolio in its history, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts offers a sophisticated hotel experience for today’s curious and creative-minded traveller. Modern, classic design and innovative programming combined with a passion for culture and cuisine expose our guests to the most unexpected and engaging experiences each destination has to offer. Backed by the power of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien delivers strong guest satisfaction and performance, making it an unparalleled choice for guests and developers.
EUROPEAN HERITAGE, A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Le Méridien was launched in 1972 by Air France with the intention of providing a home away from home for its passengers. The first hotel, Le Méridien Etoile in Paris, with 1,000 rooms, gained recognition for its innovative take on European hospitality. Le Méridien’s name was derived from “meridian,” the line that encircles the earth, reinforcing that it was intended to become a global brand from the very beginning. The brand grew its footprint globally, in parallel with Air France’s distribution, leading to a strong presence not only in Europe but also Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2005, Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquired Le Méridien, bringing Starwood’s industry-leading, centralized services and expertise in developing lifestyle brands to Le Méridien. With a refreshed positioning and growing worldclass portfolio, the brand offers curious and creative-minded travellers engaging experiences that deliver on the promise of discovery.
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A diverse GLOBAL PORTFOLIO
With 100+ hotels in over 35 countries, Le Méridien has the strongest portfolio in its history. Starwood has strengthened Le Méridien’s portfolio, removing detracting properties, renovating a third of the portfolio and opening 40 new properties in key locations around the world, creating a solid, highperforming foundation to expand the brand.
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accelerating GROWTH
An excellent choice for new builds, conversions and adaptive re-use projects, Le Méridien provides flexible building options that can be adapted to your location and market. Le Méridien’s developerfriendly approach and competitive cost is fueling growth in cultural capitals, gateway cities and exotic resorts around the world.
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adaptive re-use Le MEridien TAMPA, florida, usa
CONVERSION Le MEridien Atlanta Perimeter, georgia, usa
LE MERIDIEN UNLOCKS EACH DESTINATION AND PROMISES DISCOVERY MOMENTS AT EVERY TURN. WE INSPIRE CURIOUS AND CREATIVE-MINDED TRAVELLERS TO EXPERIENCE THEIR SURROUNDINGS WITH EYES WIDE OPEN AND SENSES ENGAGED.
THE CURIOUS AND CREATIVE-MINDED TRAVELLER Le Méridien caters to the curious and creativeminded traveller, a discerning guest who craves culture and lives for travel. Plugged-in and tech-savvy, Le Méridien’s target guest looks for inspiration from their surroundings. The world continues to evolve from manufacturing and industrial-based economies to more creativebased economies. These creative minds are successful professionals in the fields of design, advertising, publishing, architecture and cuisine, among many others. This growing segment accounts for over 150 million people worldwide.
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TIMELESS CHIC DESIGN
Forward-looking, sophisticated, warm and original, our design aesthetic is informed by the brand’s iconic midcentury heritage and the distinctive culture of each locale. Le Méridien creatively and thoughtfully juxtaposes both old and new in every hotel. Our unique approach to art and design sets the environment and creates opportunities for guest involvement and dialogue. Contemporary art can be a cost-effective method of bringing the atmosphere to life and inspiring guests. Le Méridien incorporates curated contemporary art into high-impact zones, like public spaces and guestrooms, informed by the uniqueness of each destination.
Le MEridien Istanbul etiler, turkey
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Le MEridien Chicago - Oakbrook center, ILLINOIS, usa
A SPACE TO INSPIRE
Le Méridien offers an innovative perspective on modern travel by leveraging its three Filters of Discovery – Coordinates, Culture and Cuisine – to create experiences and offerings that will deliver on the promise of discovery from arrival to departure. Our award-winning lobby concept, Le Méridien Hub, features a creative atmosphere that fosters dialogue and exchange. Unique seating arrangements, contemporary art and music, and a video programme curated by LM100™ members – Le Méridien’s community of cultural innovators – inspire locals and guests alike.
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A Contemporary Approach To GuestRooms Each guestroom provides a chic, contemporary living experience with details of discovery, from the bedroom to the bathroom, from a digitally printed wall covering that represents the local destination to an unexpected gallery label on the window that treats the view as art, to a book that adds cultured content to the room. Additionally, our unique guestroom experience features the exclusively designed Le Méridien bed and the Discovery Envelope – Le Méridien’s creative take on the traditional in-room communication – which contains information about distinctive experiences at each hotel, enticing guests to return.
TOP Le MEridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg, germany bottom right Le MEridien Istanbul Etiler, turkey
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Classic Experiences with a Modern Twist Based on the property location and space, Le Méridien offers several turnkey programme options that can be easily and immediately implemented to entice guests and drive incremental revenue. CUISINE Rooted in our traditional heritage, yet informed by the unique local ingredients of each destination, Le Méridien offers sophisticated cuisine that gives a decidedly modern twist to classic techniques. Travellers enjoy chic treats and specialty illy coffee beverages crafted by Master Baristas by day and discover an elegant spin on the ritual of cocktail hour with Sparkling at night. With flexible F&B programming based on market demand, Le Méridien can offer the right fare, helping to drive returns. UNLOCKART Upon arrival, guests receive a limited-edition room keycard designed exclusively by an LM100™ artist as part of the UnlockART™ Programme. Encouraging guests to explore the culture of each destination, this innovative art programme offers complimentary access to leading art institutions and contemporary cultural centres to enrich the travel experience. INTERACTIVE MARKETING Our innovative marketing approach leverages the brand’s programmes and point of view through unique moments of discovery. Whether it’s engaging social media initiatives, immersive signature events or partnering with influencers who help activate programs, our interactive marketing initiatives spread awareness and bring the distinctive Le Méridien experience to life. LE MERIDIEN FAMILY Our family programming ignites the imagination and unlocks each destination with hands-on activities crafted for the curious mind. Kids blast off into discovery with creative fun for the whole family, from immersive language lessons to illuminating destination walks and cooking demonstrations inspired by fresh local flavours.
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ASSOCIATES BRING THE EXPERIENCE TO LIFE Rooted in European hospitality, Le Méridien provides a global point of view on quality, detail and a modern interpretation of classic gastronomy and service. A strong training programme ensures that our associates deliver Le Méridien experiences in a genuine and welcoming way. Beyond simply providing great service, Le Méridien associates dedicate themselves to the spirit of creativity and curiosity that defines the brand and engages our guests, building brand loyalty.
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POWERED BY STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS Starwood Hotels & Resorts is the global leader in innovation and lifestyle branding. Through world-class brands, powerful global systems and experienced in-market teams, Starwood delivers more affluent and global customers, resulting in a competitive market share advantage for our owners. STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST (SPG)® PROGRAM Driving one out of every two guest stays globally, SPG is the industry’s most honored hotel loyalty program. With Free Night Awards & Award Flights, no blackout dates, awardwinning credit cards and redeemable, once-in-alifetime experiences, SPG’s innovative difference drives bookings with discerning guests who stay more and spend more. CENTRALIZED BOOKING SERVICES A synergy of state-of-the-art booking technology, customer contact centers and online vehicles cross-sell, up-sell and propel occupancy and rates 24/7.
STARWOOD SALES 450+ world-class global and divisional sellers based around the world – including China, India, the Middle East, Russia and Brazil – manage our top accounts, while our network of over 5,000 metro-market and property-based sellers manage bookings regionally and locally, streamlining sales efforts. Plus, our innovative program, TeamHOT, rewards sellers who cross-sell and refer business to other Starwood properties. FIELD MARKETING* Serving as a marketing agency that creates and executes customized marketing plans, the Field Marketing team works directly with the properties to proactively fill hotels, especially during need periods and off-season, by leveraging online space and Web optimization methods. Field Marketing leverages the latest industry trends and shares best practices to stay ahead of the competition, drive innovation and exploit emerging technologies.
Customer Contact Centers Brand-trained service agents handle over 20 million phone calls and guest interactions in 25+ languages, 24/7 at 10 call centers around the world.
REVENUE MANAGEMENT Starwood’s Revenue Management team uses top analytical talent and the latest technology to provide pricing and inventory management for Starwood hotels, ensuring that revenues are maximized via all distribution channels.
Global Distribution Systems Cutting-edge technology ensures that Starwood properties receive maximum exposure on the Global Distribution Systems used by travel agents around the world.
STRATEGIC SOURCING By leveraging the collective Starwood portfolio, our centralized supply chain services generate significant savings through strategic and local supplier relationships.
Web Channels To drive bookings, every hotel is represented with its own series of content-rich property pages accessible from multiple web channels like lemeridien.com and spg.com as well as apps for an excellent mobile user experience. Starwood branded websites handle more than 330 million visits in over 12 languages. Le MEridien Koh Samui RESORT & SPA, THAILAND
*Field marketing is available throughout North America and in select global markets.
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Le Méridien continues to grow internationally, attracting curious and creative-minded travellers drawn by the promise of discovery. Artful and modern design, engaging events and signature programmes offer guests a unique brand experience available nowhere else. With unmatched guest loyalty, market-leading performance and strong owner returns, Le Méridien is an exceptional development opportunity.
To learn more about development opportunities with Le Méridien, please contact: North America development@starwoodhotels.com Europe, Africa and Middle East leads.eame@starwoodhotels.com Asia Pacific development.ap@starwoodhotels.com Latin America development.lad@starwoodhotels.com CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY. May not be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. This is not an offering. Facts and figures presented herein pertain to owned, managed and franchised Le Méridien hotels globally for 2014 unless otherwise noted. Facts and figures are provided without representation or warranty, are subject to change without notice and were deemed correct at the time of printing. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and its affiliates are not responsible for misrepresentation, errors or omissions which may vary from the global information presented. ©2015 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Aloft, Element, Four Points, Le Méridien, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. Note: This brochure is intended to be used for global marketing purposes only, and nothing stated herein should be construed as creating a contract. Starwood reserves the right to modify, alter or terminate any described initiatives or programs. Franchise Licensees: For more information regarding franchising Le Méridien hotels in specific countries such as the United States, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for that country, available upon request, which may vary from the global information presented.