Asia: Bali hotel opening is one of several Le Meridiens on the way

Le Méridien, a Paris-born hotel group that’s now part of the Starwood empire, is steamrolling into 2013 with nine new hotels set to open in the next 12 months, including the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, opening officially on Thursday.

The Bali resort is one of four Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts setting up shop in Asia, a region targeted by the group for major expansion within the next five years.

This year’s crop includes new hotels in Zhengzhou, China (opening in May); Mahabaleshwar, India (October); Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (June); Qingdao, China (October); Cairo (September); Dhaka, Bangladesh (July); Atlanta (Feb. 21) and Chicago (January 2014).

The group, which has 100 properties in more than 40 countries, recently opened hotels in Istanbul, Turkey; Coimbatore, India; Koh Samui, Thailand; Taipei, Taiwan; Oran, Algeria, and Arlington, Va.

“Le Méridien has undergone a significant brand transformation in recent years,� said Brian Povinelli, the group’s global brand leader. “The opening of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran is not only a milestone in our global growth story but also particularly exciting as Le Méridien returns to Bali under the new brand direction.� (Le Méridien formerly operated the Nirwana hotel in the eastern part of Bali.)

The hotel, which overlooks the clear waters and sandy beaches of Jimbaran Bay, features a lagoon-style pool, 118 guestrooms, rooftop penthouses and villas with private plunge pools, restaurants and a glass chapel with island views. It sits on Bali’s southwestern coast. Doubles start at $204 a night.

Le Méridien was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. in November 2005.

Info: Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, (800) 543-4300

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