LE MERIDIEN is to acquire new properties in the US as part of its plans to double its worldwide portfolio to 230 within the next five years.
Managing director of the Forte-owned upmarket brand, Bernard Lambert said: “Our focus is to expand our network in the US where we have just five hotels – a sixth, in Los Angeles, is just coming on line. We need to be much more prominent there. Some 25% of our international clients are American so they know the brand already and we think they would stay at a Le Meridien when on domestic business if there was one available.”
The group hopes to have 15 properties in the US under its flagship brand within the next few years.
Lambert also plans to double representation in Europe from 35 to 70 over the next three years through long-term leases and management contracts.
This year, an average of one Le Meridien has opened every six weeks and there are now 115 around the world.