DHAKA: Five Star Hotel Le Méridien, Dhaka, owned by Best Holdings Limited and managed by International hotel chain Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is going to start its operation from Monday with a promise for newer services.
Le Méridien authorities are terming the opening as `Soft Launching’ and the full-throat operation will begin from October this year.
The hotel, less than two kilometers away from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, has 304 guest rooms and suites accommodating unique experiences, complete with indulgent amenities and wireless High Speed Internet Access.
In exclusive talks with Banglanews24.com, General Manager Mr. Ashwani Nayar, who carried out same responsibilities of Le Méridien Jaypur in India, voiced with confidence of providing best services and invited guests to enjoy their services and sophisticated decorations.
Le Méridien Dhaka has become a reference name for any venture in Asia-Pacific. And many are asked to visit and follow us before initiating any new hotel venture, added the seasoned professional Mr. Ashwani Nayar.
Later Marketing Communications Manager Zaireen Sultana Lupa took Banglanews24.com team to a tour to the hotel lobby and rooms.
She showed how the heredity and culture of Bangladesh has asumed magnificently in the modern architecture and designs of Le Méridien Dhaka.
The mix of French touch and Bangladeshi culture has given Le Méridien Dhaka a different look of elegancy, she added.
The Le Méridien hub (main lobby) named Latitude-23, where there are the glass walls reflecting the greenery of Bangladesh, while the upper part covered with a huge artwork with white ground and black spots reflects the habitat of Dhaka of Dhaka city.
Another art work portraying the Bay of Bengal is placed at another vital area.
Zaireen Sultana Lupa said tables for meeting or waiting at Le Méridien hub is well organized, keeping many choices. Some might think it is a library, can start gossiping before the Mega TV screen, read newspapers and at the same time there are corners and points for persons who want to pass time alone.
Basically the Latitude-23, the Le Méridien hub will be the meeting place of creative people and all the furniture are Le Méridien branded, she added.
The business corner is no less than corporate office of any multinational company boss. If anyone comes in Bangladesh for business purpose, s/he can accommodate own office renting the business corner which is furnished with work stations and small corporate meeting room. 
The guest rooms are of world class, moreover Le Méridien Dhaka has brought difference and additional something in everything including carpet, wall, lighting, bedding, rest rooms and decorations. Besides, the TV screens here can be used for multimedia projection and each room has internet connections with high speed.
The multi-dimensional facilities and the services from hotel staffs will make one’s time enjoyable here, added Zaireen.
What to eat at Le Méridien Dhaka? asked Banglanews. Its restaurants, lounge, and bar feature a wide-ranging selection of local and international dishes and drinks, answered Zaireen.
Conceptual Italian restaurant Favola serves popular regional Italian dishes. The wine cellar’s red bricks create a cosy, warm environment, says Le Méridien Dhaka website.
While the Mediterranean cuisine Olea amidst traditional Middle Eastern décor, specialises in classic regional dishes from Iran, Turkey, and the Levant. 
Regional and international cuisine “Latest Recipe is all-day dining venue, with live-cooking stations and a seasonal à la carte menu, it says.
A classic English pub with dark wood panelling, 15 Above reflects the ambience and atmosphere of a elegant bygone era. While the Poolside Pub will also serve bar menu.
A revitalizing massage in the 2400 square feet spa waits at the end of a long day, or one can work off stress in the state-of-the-art health club, Le Méridien Dhaka website says.
The internationally renowned Le Méridien brand was established in 1972 by Air France "to provide a home away from home for its customers." The first Le Méridien property was a 1,000-room hotel in Paris — Le Méridien Etoile. Within two years of operation the group had 10 hotels in Europe and Africa. Within the first six years the number of hotels had risen to 21 hotels in Europe, Africa, the French West Indies, Canada, South America, the Middle East and Mauritius. The group continued to grow and, by 1991, the total number of Le Méridien properties had risen to 58.
In late 1994, Le Méridien was acquired by UK hotel giant, Forte, which in turn was acquired by Granada Group plc in 1996. Through a merger in the summer of 2000 between Forte's parent company, Granada Group plc, and global contract catering giant, Compass Group plc — and the subsequent de-merger of the two companies in February 2001 — the ownership of the Forte Hotel Group and its three brands (Le Méridien, Heritage Hotels and Posthouse Hotels) passed solely to Compass Group.
In May 2001, Nomura International plc announced the acquisition of Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts from Compass Group plc for £1.9 billion and Le Méridien was merged with Principal Hotels, which was acquired in February 2001. In December 2003, Lehman Brothers Holdings acquired the senior debt of Le Méridien.
In November 2005, the Le Méridien brand and management fee business was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The leased and owned real estate assets were acquired in a separate deal by a joint venture formed by Lehman Brothers and Starwood Capital (a company not affiliated with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.).
BDST: 2007 HRS, MAY 31, 2015
AKA/SMS
