Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts Wins the World Hospitality Award as Best Innovative Concept

Dec. 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has been recognised for their signature brand initiative, the “Arrival Experience”, receiving the award for ‘Best Innovative Concept in Full Service Hotels’ at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards in Paris. The Arrival Experience was globally launched in 2008 as part of the re-launch of Le Méridien brand and has makes the first 10 minutes after arriving at the hotel a memorable and unique experience.

“Transforming the Arrival of our guests from a functional and process driven routine into an experience that emotional connects our guests and the local community was our goal. We have taken a unique approach by using contemporary art that is curated by our Cultural Curator Jérôme Sans, We are delighted that the Worldwide Hospitality Awards have recognised our efforts with this prestigious accolade for the Best Innovative Concept and we see this as the first step towards making Le Meridien Hotels around the world ‘creative hub’,” commented Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and W Hotels Worldwide.

Le Méridien transformed the hotel arrival experience using four touch points:

•         THE TRANSITIONAL PORTAL – Instead of hotel doors, the entrance at a Le Méridien Hotel is a transitional portal, with a contemporary artwork appliqué, designed by LM100TM Creative Community artists. The transitional portal transforms the mind of the guest to their environment as soon as they enter the hotel.

•         SENSORY EXPERIENCE – Le Méridien’s hotel lobbies provide a unique atmosphere composed of a distinctive scent and sound. This includes a signature scent, custom designed by LM100TM members, Fabrice and Eddie Roschi, perfume experts of Le Labo as well as lobby sounds created in partnership with Sony BMG.

•         UNLOCK ART – Le Méridien no longer just has key cards to unlock your room but provide complimentary access to a local contemporary cultural centre. The key cards themselves are designed by LM100TM members and become pieces of art and collectible items that guests can take home as a souvenir,

•         ELEVATED EXPERIENCE - Le Méridien transforms the expected and predictable event of riding an elevator into an “elevated experience” through a 24-hour unique soundscape. Le Méridien has appointed Henri Scars Struck, the visionary Grammy-winning French composer/producer, and LM100 member who has created this unique soundscape for Le Méridien hotels globally.

Le Méridien has a commitment to providing interactive cultural experiences as an integral part of the guest stay. It aims to satisfy the target customer, “the creative minds”, by offering an environment and a new perspective through art and culture and by transforming Le Méridien hotels into creative hubs. The Arrival Experience is currently implemented in 80% of Le Méridien hotels worldwide.

About the Worldwide Hospitality Awards:
The Worldwide Hospitality Awards has helped to spread the innovative initiatives and experiences of hoteliers worldwide while awarding their finest achievements. It is the number one forum for recognizing talented individuals and team efforts in outstanding innovations. The international Advisory Board consists of highly qualified figures in the tourism and hospitality industry, meeting all necessary standards. The ‘Best Innovative Concept in Full Service Hotels’, is an award attributed to a new concept, developed by full-service hotel chain or group that provides a new vision for the benefit of the clients. More information on http://www.hospitalityawards.com.

About Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts :
Le Méridien, the French-born hotel brand currently represented by 108 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  in November 2005. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand re-launch, which included appointing a full-time Cultural Curator – French arts-provocateur Jérôme Sans – and transforming numerous guest touch points, thus bringing unique and interactive experiences to its guests.  With close to 90% located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien brand provides a strong international complement to Starwood’s primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien hotels and resorts within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China.  Le Méridien Hotels recently opened new hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Shimei Bay (China), Qingdao (China), Dallas and will open in Xiamen (China), Chongqing Nan’an (China) and Philadelphia in the coming months, and has recently signed new hotel deals in Taipei  and Saigon.  For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.  

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MEDIA CONTACT:   
Nareerat Thongsook / nareerat.thongsook@lemeridien.com/+66 2650 8800 ext. 6240

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About the Hotel:
The prime location and resort style facilities of Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien makes this property like an oasis in a bustling metropolis for is guests traveling for business or leisure. The location also has historical significance as the original site of Kandhawas, the residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Valaya Alangkorn Kromluang Patchburi Rachasirindorn, the 47th child of HRH King Rama V. Today, this exclusive address places this stunning hotel designed by renowned Thai Architect Dr Jumsai Sumet alongside the embassies and trees framing Wireless Road, just steps from the BTS Phloen Chit Skytrain station.