Le Meridien AND CITIBANK JOIN FORCES

Special offers in Middle East and India for Citibank cardholders

Valid up to March 31 2001, Le Meridien’s Winter Passport offers Citibank cardholders 20 per cent off food and beverage in twenty properties in the Middle East and India, as well as a Royal Club upgrade for just US$25 per night. This Citibank exclusive offer also gives cardholders discounts of up to 50 per cent off published rates at more than 100 properties across four continents, according to Russel Sharpe, the group’s senior vice president, Middle East and West Asia.

The Winter Passport Citibank exclusive deals start from $82 at Le Meridien Dubai & at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and $196 at the newly branded Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. In Egypt, Le Meridien Makadi Bay is offering $120 (half board), with rates from $122 a night at Le Meridien Cairo, inclusive of breakfast and a view of the Nile. Le Meridien Commodore in Beirut, Lebanon, is offering a special rate of $95 inclusive of full breakfast, per night, during the coming winter period. While, in India prices at the five properties start at $85 a night in Bangalore to $146 in Le Royal Meridien Chennai and just $180 per night in Le Meridien New Delhi (inclusive of breakfast).

While, for $25 extra, Citibank cardholders will be upgraded to Royal Club, where additional services include : meet and assist, complementary breakfast and a private lounge with refreshments.

Sharpe said that the response has been encouraging : "We believe in working with complementary brands to give our customers a value-added service and Citibank cardholders have responded enthusiastically to this exclusive offer." The deal was launched in early December.

Le Meridien Passport deals in Europe, include rates at Le Meridien hotels in Paris from $145 per night, while Le Meridien Limassol Spa & Resort is $124 a room; Le Meridien Parkhotel in Frankfurt has a $121 rate, Le Meridien Phoenicia in Malta is priced from $83 and in Italy, rates start at $172 in Milan. Exclusive rates are also available in the chain’s other luxury properties located in Rome and Turin.

While, examples of Winter Passport rates in the British capital city - where Forte Hotel Group operates 16 properties - include $248 per night at Le Meridien Grosvenor House, $181 at The Cumberland, while in Manchester, Le Meridien Victoria & Albert starts from $136.

In Asia-Pacific, rates at the six Le Meridien hotels in Thailand start from $80 a night, while in Singapore, rooms are available from $112. Travellers can also benefit from superb discounted rates at various properties located in Indonesia, Australia and Japan.

In addition, the group has 18 properties in Africa and rates range from $86 to $177 at hotels in Morocco such as Le Royal Mansour Meridien Casablanca and Le Meridien Merinides Fes.

Other Winter Passport prices are available in The Netherlands, Spain, and Monte Carlo. Most of the special rates for Winter Passport are inclusive of local taxes and service charge and applicable for both single and double occupancy. Limited number of rooms are allocated to this promotion so advance reservations are essential.