LE MERIDIEN RETURNS TO SINGAPORE AFTER A DECADE OF ABSENCE!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

LE MéRIDIEN HOTELS & RESORTS SET TO RETURN TO SINGAPORE

Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa Will Introduce the Brand’s “Destination Unlocked” Position to Singapore

The Façade of Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa

SINGAPORE, JUNE 8, 2016 – Le Méridien^® Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced an agreement with Treasure Resort Pte Ltd. for Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa, following the renovation and conversion of the hotel. The agreement marks the highly anticipated return of the Le Méridien brand to Singapore after nearly a decade.

“We are excited to welcome Le Méridien back to Singapore with a property that can truly represent the new direction of the brand,” said Stephen Ho, President, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Le Méridien’s mission is to expose the creative-minded traveler to the most unexpected and engaging experiences, inside and outside the hotel. We are confident that we will be able to offer this distinctively memorable experience at Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa.”

Rodney Tan, Chairman of Treasure Resort Pte Ltd., added, “It is a thrill to bring a deluxe five-star brand Le Méridien back to Singapore, fully drawing out the richness of the destination through the brand’s unique vision. We're looking forward to working with the conversion team, and hope to cultivate a long and successful partnership with Starwood.”

Designed by DP Architects and Japanese studio Super Potato, Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa provides a juxtaposition of the old and the new, offering a glimpse of Singapore’s vibrant past and present. The hotel complex comprises a contemporary building and a pair of restored former barracks, which housed Southeast Asia’s first Malay artillery back in 1940. The hotel features 191 contemporary guestrooms, including suites with Japanese outdoor private Onsen pool, and a duplex penthouse suite with its own rooftop garden and infinity pool. Other facilities include a swimming pool and 243 square meters of versatile function space, with a 198 square meter pillar-less ballroom fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows.

In the upcoming months, the hotel will undergo a renovation to feature two distinct restaurants and the brand’s signature bar. In addition, Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa will introduce Le Méridien Hub, which reinterprets the traditional hotel lobby into a social gathering place. Building on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience and coffee culture, key features will include signature elements from the Paris-born brand such as a 24-hour soundtrack curated by French Bossa Nova band Nouvelle Vague, a variety of delectable éclairs, exclusive illy coffee prepared by Master Baristas, and sparkling cocktails inspired by Europe’s aperitif hour.

Situated directly opposite of Imbiah Station on the Sentosa Express monorail, Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa is located just minutes from a myriad of attractions including Merlion Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore^™, S.E.A. Aquarium^™, the newly opened KidZania Singapore as well as world-class culinary delights and entertainment. The hotel also affords convenient access to the Central Business District and the downtown area via a quick transfer at Harbourfront MRT station.

 “Le Méridien has been experiencing phenomenal growth in the past few years, thanks to its distinctive new positioning as well as a conversion-friendly strategy,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “Le Méridien continues to forge a presence in new and established markets worldwide; in 2015 alone, we opened eight hotels in Asia Pacific including the brand’s debuts in exciting destinations such as Thimpu and Paro in Bhutan, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Dhaka in Bangladesh.”

Inspired by its European heritage and mid-century modern design, Le Méridien offers a unique experience at some of the world’s top travel destinations. Since Starwood’s acquisition of the brand in 2005, Le Méridien boasts the strongest portfolio and performance levels in the brand’s history - increasing its footprint both in North America and Asia Pacific by 25 percent, and renovating more than half of the brand’s European and Middle Eastern hotels over the last three years. With more than 100 hotels and resorts in 37 countries, Le Méridien is poised to open more than 30 hotels in the next four years. Plans in Asia Pacific include the brand’s debut in Taiwan and further expansion in gateway cities in China, India and Malaysia.

For more information, visit www.lemeridien.com/singaporesentosa.

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About Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts

With more than 100 Hotels & Resorts worldwide and the strongest, most globally diverse portfolio in its history, the Paris-born Le Méridien brand connects the curious and creative-minded traveller to unexpected and engaging experiences within their destination. With its brand promise of “Destination Unlocked”, Le Méridien has transformed numerous guest touch points through global partnerships with creative minds such as illy, the LEGO® Group, Johnny Iuzzini, Gray Malin, and Nouvelle Vague. Plans call for dynamic portfolio expansion within the next five years in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, concentrating on markets in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. For more information, please visit LeMéridien.com or follow us on social media –Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis^®, The Luxury Collection^®, W^®, Westin^®, Le Méridien^®, Sheraton^®, Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points^® by Sheraton, Aloft^®, and Element^®, along with an expanded partnership with  Design Hotels^™. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG^®). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.