Starwood Opening Three New Hotels In China

Starwood's Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts has announced that it is opening three new hotels in Greater China in Taipei, Zhengzhou, and Xi'an.

Le Meridien Taipei is slated to open in October 2010, to be followed by the openings of Le Meridien Zhengzhou in January 2012 and Le Meridien Xi'an in December 2013. These follow the recent openings of three new Le Meridien hotels in China in the cities of Xiamen, Chongqing, and Qingdao.

According to Eva Ziegler, the global brand leader for Le Meridien and W Hotels Worldwide, Le Meridien has currently has 29 hotels in the Asia Pacific market, which makes up 25% of their current global footprint. She added that Asia Pacific, and specifically China, is seen as an important growth opportunity for Le Meridien brand and for Starwood Hotels overall.

Of Le Meridien's portfolio in Asia Pacific, there are seven hotels and resorts currently operating in China: Le Meridien Chongqing; Le Meridien Qingdao; Le Royal Meridien Shanghai; Le Meridien Sheshan Shanghai; Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort; Le Meridien Xiamen; and Le Meridien Cyberport, Hong Kong.