Starwood to open 3 Le Meridien hotels in South Asia by 2015

International hospitality major Starwood Hotels and Resorts plans to open three properties under its Le Meridien in South Asia, including one in India, by end of 2015 to expand presence in the region. 

"We plan to add three hotels under the Le Meridien brand in South Asia, including one at Mahabaleshwar in India, by the end of this year," Le Meridien and Westin Global Brand Leader Brian Povinelli said. 

He was speaking on the sidelines of opening of Le Meridien at Gurgaon following the re-branding of the existing hotel, which was earlier manged by another global hospitality chain Accor. 

"The other two hotels under the brand will be at Paro in Bhutan and Dhaka in Bangladesh. We have already opened a hotel under the Le Meridien brand in Thimpu in December 2014," he added. 

The brand is enjoying strong growth momentum worldwide, resonating with travellers who have an affinity for the arts, culture and cuisine, Povinelli said, adding: "Idea of Le Meridien is connecting people to destination through culture, cuisine and local neighbourhood." 

Le Meridian is a five-star upper upscale brand of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts. 

When asked about the business model in India, Povinelli said: "We mainly follow the management contract and franchise model and don't own the properties. In India we have a large franchise portfolio." 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia Dilip Puri said the company has invested a lot in building infrastructure in India. 

"Over a 100 people are directly employed by the company in India," Puri said. 

Le Meridien, the Paris-born hotel brand is currently represented by 99 properties in more than 35 countries. It was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc in November 2005. 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has 43 hotels in India at present out of which eight are under the Le Meridien brand. 

Globally the hospitality chain manages around 1,200 properties in 100 countries under nine brands -- St Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft and Element.