LE MÉRIDIEN UNLOCKS DHAKA WITH FIRST NIGHT CELEBRATIONS
DHAKA, Nov. 16 (NsNewsWire) — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has marked the official First Night of Le Méridien Dhaka, the capital city’s largest upscale hotel.
Over 500 dignitaries from political, business and the art world Sunday night gathered to experience the French brand’s signature programs intertwined with local arts and culture.
The Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism of Bangladesh, Rashed Khan Menon, was the Chief Guest.
“We are excited to unlock the latest destination of Le Méridien in Dhaka through the First Night celebrations, bringing a passion for contemporary arts to life amid a bustling city,” said Dilip Puri, Managing Director, India, and Regional Vice President, South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, “The official opening event of Le Méridien Dhaka creatively weaves stark contrasts together through completely sensory elements to trigger curiosity, inspire, and encourage dialogue among our guests.”
Guests were welcomed at Le Méridien Hub, the innovative reinterpretation of the traditional lobby. The Hub features inspiring art installations, including Le Méridien Arrival artwork – an achromatic wooden masterpiece featuring the aerial view of Dhaka City’s cross-section. The work also encapsulates a time in history when the hotel was being constructed.
“We are honoured to partner with Starwood Hotels & Resorts for the first Le Méridien hotel in the country,” stated Mr Amin Ahmad, Chairman of Best Holdings Limited, the organization which owns Le Méridien Dhaka.
“Starwood is associated with crisp professional hospitality, while Le Méridien is a brand that personlises the experience for guests enhancing on elements of local hospitality. The combination seemed right for Bangladesh where the industry is now on the cusp of evolution.”
While Ashwani Nayar, the hotel’s General Manager, who has been living in Dhaka the past two years could confidently say, “I have come to observe that Dhaka is evolving. Always an enclave of rich cultural experience,
the city is embracing modern forms of expression every day. The hotel, combining chic modern design with a focus on the arts, creative cuisine and inspiring local culture, elements that are integral to Le Méridien as a brand, will create uniquely memorable experiences and strengthen guest loyalty, one customer at a time.”
Following the opening ceremony which took place at the rooftop ballroom on floor 16, guests enjoyed a lively performance by popular folk band, Joler Gaan (Songs of the Water, known for their contemporary reinterpretation of Bangladeshi rural music. A gourmet spread with live buffet stations featuring signature dishes
from the hotel’s six dining venues, was one of the highlights of the evening.
Unlock Destination
To coincide with the First Night, Le Méridien Dhaka also invited members of the international media to explore the city through its 3C Discovery Tour (coordinates, culture, cuisine). The guests visited iconic architectural landmarks of the city, the Insitute of Fine Arts in Dhaka University, as well as the Bengal Art Lounge, the hotel’s Unlock Art partner, which curates and documents contemporary art from Bangladesh. To experience authentic cuisine, the media persons also dined with celebrity chef Tony Khan.
New Culture Hub in Bangladesh’s Capital Within two kilometres of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Le Méridien Dhaka offers 304 guestrooms and suites, featuring the French brand’s signature amenities and destination-inspired moments of discovery. For culinary experiences, guests have a choice of international and local flavours. Latest Recipe, the interactive all day dining restaurant with a live-kitchen setup, features an evocative mix of international and authentic local
cuisine. Favola, the Italian specialty restaurant, offers some of the most diverse flavours from Italy, while Olea serves the best of Mediterranean delights. 15 Above is the chic lounge bar offering stunning views, while Latitude 23 transforms from a casual coffee house by day to a vibrant social scene in the evening.
The hotel also features the signature Explore SpaSM, a fitness centre as well as the highest skyline infinity pool on the floor 16.
Le Meridien Dhaka is located at 79/A Commercial Area, Airport Road, Nikunja 2, Khilkhet, Dhaka 1229,
Bangladesh. For more information or to book, please visit www.lemeridien.com/dhaka.
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.