Le Meridien continues expansion in Asia Pacific with the signing of two new hotels

Le Meridien continues its expansion in Asia by announcing the signing of two new hotels. Both properties are located in China, one in Qingdao and one in Chongqing. The official deal was signed with the Wanda Group who announced that visitors could expect to be checking in as early as 2011, both hotels have a certain European flair and sophisticated environment designed to appeal to the creative guest. Starwood Hotels (Le Meridien's parent company) also announced the start construction in Wuxi (where a new Sheraton is planned) and in Taiyuan (the site of a new Westin).
"We are thrilled to announce what will be two stunning Le Méridien hotels in Qingdao and Chongqing, two of China's most exciting destinations!' said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Asia. Le Meridien Chongqing, Nan'an will be located between Nanping Avenue and Shanhu Road in Nan'an Nanping Business District of Chongqing. Le Meridien will feature 345 rooms, approximately 23,000 square feet of meeting space, five restaurants and bars, a health club, an indoor heated swimming pool, spa, penguin club and a retail shop.
Le Meridien Chongqing will be part of a mixed-use development complex called 'Chongqing Wanda Plaza', which consists of the hotel (in one tower), 1.1 million square feet of offices in four towers, 1.1 million square feet of retail mall at the office podium, and 5.0 million square feet of un-branded private residential apartments in 17 towers. Le Meridien Qingdao will be strategically located at the intersection of Xu Zhou Road and Yan Ji Road in Shi Bei District of Qingdao, Shandong Province, the new Central Business District of Qingdao. The hotel's facilities will consist of 330 rooms, approximately 29,000 square feet of meeting space, four restaurants and bars, business center, a health club, an indoor heated swimming pool, spa, penguin club and a retail shop.
The hotel is planned to be part of a mixed-use development complex called 'Qingdao Wanda Plaza', which consists of the hotel (in one tower), 1.2 million square feet of offices in two towers, 1.2 million square feet of retail mall at podium, and 660,000 square feet of unbranded private residential apartments in three towers. Le Meridien is also set to open Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa in China this year, as well as three Le Meridien hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai by the end of the year.