Royal treatment given the thumbs up by guests following $55m upgrade at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai

The first guests to stay in the newly refurbished rooms at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa have been quick to praise the new classic style of decor, the final part of the two-year $55million upgrade programme that has transformed the Dubai resort.

According to general manager, Pam Wilby, both new and repeat guests have praised the style and quality of room furnishings, introduced to enhance all 242 rooms and suites in the main hotel building to support the resort's five-star deluxe rating.

"Since gaining the Royal status two years ago, it has been our aim to complement and constantly evolve all areas in the hotel to meet the deluxe tier standards, from our spa, restaurants and leisure facilities to the rooms themselves," she said. 

"Now we have one cohesive product that offers a variety of room types and amenities to suit the multi-faceted requirements of the tourism, business and meetings and conference markets. And the first guests to stay in the new rooms have given the refurbishment the thumbs up."

The flagship hotel for Le Meridien in the United Arab Emirates, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa has 500 rooms and suites spread over three distinct buildings - The Hotel, The Royal Club and The Tower.

In addition, it boasts 12 restaurants and bars and a wealth of leisure facilities, including the award-winning Caracalla spa and health club, tennis and squash courts and two pools.

However, Wilby is keen to point out that Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa offers more than just luxurious décor: "Butler service throughout the resort is just one innovation that we believe will keep guests coming back year after year," she said.

Turning to restaurants, Wilby confirmed the arrival of a new executive chef, set to add another dimension to the multi-cultural cuisine offered at the resort. In the spa, she announced that a new range of treatments will debut at Caracalla in October; and outdoors, the pool bar and terrace has been revamped, adding more comfort and amenities.

The total refurbishment project at the hotel comes ahead of a key period in the development of Le Meridien in the UAE as it gears up for rapid expansion throughout the emirates.

The luxury hotel operator currently has the largest room stock in the city under one flag, with four properties in Dubai, as well as two in Abu Dhabi; and a seventh hotel is imminent in Fujairah.

The group has regained management of the Abu Dhabi Grand in the capital, where a new extension and renovation is underway, and has also added an all-suite property in Dubai, Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien in Dubai.

By year end, Le Meridien will also launch in to a new emirate with the opening of Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah, and is concurrently looking at the potential for new hotels in Dubai.

"Both as a group and as an individual hotel, we have a number of exciting ideas on the drawing board for next year, aiming to keep Le Meridien as a preferred option for both business and leisure pursuits," concluded Wilby.