PHOTO: The Le Meridien Hub at Le Meridian New Orleans. (photo courtesy of Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide's Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts has come a long way over the past decade since being acquired by the Stamford, Connecticut-based hotel giant. Nonetheless, the lifestyle brand is looking to update and rapidly expand its portfolio in the coming years.
Le Meridien announced this week that it plans to spend as much as $300 million on new and renovated properties around the globe.
The brand currently boasts approximately 100 properties in more than three dozen countries, but aims to add more than 30 new hotels by the end of the decade.
Le Meridien's global brand leader Brian Povinelli told USA Today that the brand has "reached a milestone."
"It's really about starting to lay the groundwork for the next decade and fueling the momentum in this brand."
North America, Asia Pacific
In the past three years, Le Meridien has grown its footprint in North America and Asia Pacific by roughly 25 percent. But the brand will continue to focus on those regions moving forward.
Le Meridien recently opened new properties in Indianapolis and Tampa, Florida and is eyeing secondary markets that include Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbus, Ohio.
Meanwhile, renovations are underway at properties in Philadelphia, Dallas and Montreal.
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In 2015, Le Meridien saw tremendous growth in Asia, where it opened seven new properties. The openings included debuts in Bangladesh and Vietnam. Looking ahead, the brand's Asian pipeline includes four hotels in Taiwan, four hotels in India, one in Malaysia and a dozen in China.
Modern Design
Many of the renovations that are and will take place at some of Le Meridien's properties include revamped lobbies that are designed to attract not only guests but locals as well.
The signature Le Meridien Hubs (pictured above), which are being introduced at the Le Meridien Vienna, Le Meridien Hamburg and Le Meridien Frankfurt this year, will feature an appearance and feel similar to that of a living room or coffee shop.
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In addition to introducing more modern design elements, the renovations will include improving functionality.
For example, Le Meridien Ra Beach Hotel and Spa in El Vendrell, Spain opened the brand's flagship Le Meridien Family Kids Club last year.
The brand's renovation efforts will extend to hotel guestrooms as well as other public spaces.
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