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Le Méridien

From Alfawiki
Le Méridien
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryHospitality
Founded1972; 54 years ago (1972)
FounderAir France
Headquarters
United Kingdom
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsHotels and resorts
OwnerMarriott International
ParentMarriott International
Websitewww.lemeridien.com

Le Méridien represents a premium American hotel brand with an international presence, distinguished by its design-centric approach and European heritage. Established in 1972 by Air France and subsequently headquartered in the United Kingdom, the brand is currently part of Marriott International's portfolio. By June 2021, Le Méridien managed 109 hotels comprising 29,439 rooms, alongside 37 additional hotels under development totaling 9,585 rooms.

Origins and Initial Growth

The inception of Meridien Hotels in 1972 was initiated by Air France to offer lodging solutions primarily for its flight crews at key global airports, while also promoting the brand and overseeing bookings. The inaugural property was the expansive 1,000-room Hotel Meridien Paris (currently known as Le Méridien Paris Arc de Triomphe). Within two years, the portfolio grew to include 10 establishments across Europe and Africa, and expanded globally to 21 hotels within six years.

In 1994, Air France divested its majority stake of 57.3% in Meridien Hotels Inc. to the UK-based Forte Group for $207 million after a competitive bidding contest involving Forte, Germany’s Kempinski, and France’s Accor. Although the French government preferred Accor to maintain French ownership of the brand, regulatory pressure from the European Commission compelled Air France to sell to Forte as a condition for receiving essential financial support. At this juncture, Meridien operated a total of 58 properties. Forte also intended to purchase remaining minority shares from other investors.

In January 1996, UK conglomerate Granada successfully executed a hostile takeover of Forte valued at $5.9 billion, surpassing bids from Rocco Forte. Granada retained ownership of the Meridien chain consisting of 85 hotels but proceeded to divest Forte's portfolio of 18 luxury hotels later that year. After the brief merger and subsequent separation between Forte and caterer Compass Group in 2000, the Forte Hotels division—including Le Méridien—was transferred under Compass's control.

Progression Post-2000

In May 2001, Nomura Group purchased Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts from Compass for £1.9 billion, integrating it with Principal Hotels which it had acquired earlier that year. By December 2003, Lehman Brothers Holdings assumed control over Le Méridien's senior debt obligations.

On November 24, 2005, US-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts acquired Le Méridien. Meanwhile, a joint venture formed by Lehman Brothers and Starwood Capital Group separately acquired the brand's real estate assets. Over the subsequent five years, out of approximately 130 properties, 45 were sold off while an additional 20 hotels were added.

The acquisition of Starwood by Marriott International in September 2016 brought Le Méridien under Marriott’s umbrella. On March 16, 2023, Le Méridien made its return to Australia with a $100 million investment reopening its Melbourne location.

Locations

North
America		 Europe Middle East
& Africa		 Asia &
Pacific		 Caribbean &
Latin America		 Total
2016 20 properties 15 27 42 2 106
Rooms 4,473 5,051 7,530 10,973 271 28,298
2017 22 properties 16 27 45 2 112
Rooms 5,006 5,292 7,530 11,630 271 29,729
2018 19 properties 15 24 47 2 107
Rooms 3,987 5,010 6,612 12,154 271 28,034
2019 21 properties 15 23 49 2 110
Rooms 4,480 5,021 6,526 12,903 271 29,201
2020 22 properties 16 22 47 2 109
Rooms 4,748 4,997 6,588 12,683 271 29,287
2021 24 properties 16 21 47 2 110
Rooms 5,287 5,156 6,124 12,446 271 29,284
2022 25 properties 16 23 49 2 115
Rooms 5,705 5,154 6,848 12,486 271 30,464
2023 25 properties 16 23 52 3 119
Rooms 5,489 5,156 6,841 12,981 562 31,029


Notable properties

  • Baghdad, Iraq: The Palestine Hotel, which overlooks Firdos Square and the Tigris, was originally constructed as the Palestine Méridien Hotel in 1982. Le Méridien ceased its association in 1991 following UN sanctions imposed after the Gulf War.
  • Boston, United States: The Langham Hotel Boston, previously serving as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, joined the Le Méridien brand in 1981 and transitioned to the Langham in 2003.
  • Cairo, Egypt: From 1974 until 2002, the Grand Nile Tower Hotel operated under the Le Méridien Cairo name before ending its affiliation.
  • Casablanca, Morocco: The Royal Mansour Casablanca was part of Le Méridien’s portfolio prior to 2014; it was subsequently closed and demolished by 2017.
  • Chennai, India: The Le Royal Méridien Chennai opened after Hilton withdrew from the development, initially planned as a Hilton property.
  • Chicago, United States: The façade of the McGraw–Hill Building was adapted for Le Méridien Chicago in 2000; it converted to a Conrad hotel in 2005 and later became The Gwen, part of The Luxury Collection, in 2015.
  • Cologne, Germany: Until 2013, Le Méridien operated the historic Dom-Hotel, recognized as one of Europe’s oldest luxury hotels.
  • Copenhagen, Denmark: The Palace Hotel functioned as Le Méridien Copenhagen between 2005 and 2009.
  • Hong Kong, China: Situated within the Cyberport business park at Telegraph Bay, the Le Méridien Cyberport Hotel serves as a key property.
  • Houston, United States: Le Méridien Houston Downtown is housed in the Melrose Building, notable as Houston’s first International Style structure.
  • Indianapolis, United States: The historic Lockerbie Hotel was rebranded as Le Méridien Indianapolis in 2014.
  • Kuwait City, Kuwait: Originally launched as Le Méridien Kuwait in 1980, it was rebranded under Marriott management as JW Marriott in 2002.
  • London, United Kingdom: The historic Piccadilly Hotel operated under the Le Méridien brand from 1986 until 2020.
  • Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives: This resort, which opened in September 2021, provides exclusive access to premier house reefs, marking Le Méridien’s debut in the Maldives market.
  • Malta:
    • St. Julian's hosts the Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa, which was formerly part of Le Méridien before renovations completed in 2018.
    • The Art Deco-styled Hotel Phoenicia maintained affiliation from 1997 through 2007.
  • Manchester, United Kingdom: Between 2001 and 2004, the Grade II* listed Kimpton Clocktower Hotel—originally an office for Refuge Assurance Company—was managed by Le Méridien.
  • Melbourne, Australia: In March 2023, the Palace Theatre on Bourke Street was transformed into a Le Méridien hotel, enhancing the brand’s footprint in Australia.
  • Moscow, Russia: From 1996 until 2009, the historic Hotel National operated under Le Méridien before joining The Luxury Collection.
  • New Orleans, United States: Following renovations after Hurricane Katrina damage, this property adopted the Le Méridien New Orleans name in 2014; it had previously been affiliated with brands such as Crowne Plaza and W Hotels.
  • New York City, United States: Launched as Hotel Parker Méridien New York in 1981, it exited the chain in 2018.
  • Paris, France: Managed the Pullman Paris Montparnasse Hotel from 1986 to 2010 before its transition to Accor’s Pullman brand.
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Operated under Le Méridien from its inauguration in 1976 until ending affiliation in 2007.
  • San Francisco, United States: Formerly known as Park Hyatt San Francisco, it was acquired by HEI Hotels & Resorts and rebranded as Le Méridien San Francisco in 2006; it joined Autograph Collection in 2023.
  • St. Louis, United States: Since 2020, the historic Hotel Majestic has been part of Le Méridien and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Taichung, Taiwan: Strategically located near Taichung railway station, Le Méridien Taichung serves key transit travelers.
  • Taipei, Taiwan: Positioned within Taipei’s Xinyi Planning District, Le Méridien Taipei caters to a vital urban market segment.
  • Toronto, Canada: Managed the Omni King Edward Hotel from 1994 until it became independent in 2012.
  • Warsaw, Poland: Oversaw operations of the historic Hotel Bristol between 1998 and 2013 before its transfer to The Luxury Collection.

External links

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