Six of the best in India for Le Meridien New openings in Chennai, Mumbai and Cochin

New openings in Chennai, Mumbai and Cochin

(Dubai, May 2000) Following the opening of the 243-room Le Royal Meridien Chennai last month (April), Le Meridien Hotels and Resort is strengthening its presence in India with new hotels scheduled to debut in Mumbai and Cochin later this year.

The group already operates hotels in Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and has plans to double its presence on the Indian sub-continent within two years.

“First quarter results for our current Indian hotels showed a 14 per cent increase over the previous year and indicates the potential for both tourism and corporate business in the country,” said Russel Sharpe, senior vice president, Middle East and West Asia, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts.

“Our expansion strategy calls for a presence in all the major commercial centres - where we already have hotels in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore, with Mumbai set to open this summer - plus resorts in tourist centres such as Cochin and Goa.”

Le Royal Meridien Chennai offers a resort ambience in a city location, set in 3.5 acres of landscaped gardens and featuring three speciality restaurants, fitness and leisure centre, a Royal Club floor and lounge, a large ballroom and the latest in-room technology for visiting business executives.

Meanwhile, the 187-room Le Meridien Mumbai has a July opening date and the 150-room Le Meridien Cochin will have a staggered opening beginning December 2000.

Additional resorts are planned for Goa and Juhu Beach, to open in 2001, and Le Meridien is also in negotiations to open a forest and golf resort in Kathmandu, Nepal.