June 16, 2010 (Tahiti) – Le Méridien Tahiti recently launched a series of renovations, enhancing the public spaces and all accommodations with new interiors featuring a modern décor with French Polynesian touches. The multi-million dollar renovation is expected to be complete in November 2010.
 
In addition, sister resort Le Méridien Bora Bora will be commencing the next phase of its renovations, including new interiors for all beach and overwater bungalows, and all public spaces, beginning on the 1st of October 2010.
 
The renovations will bring both resorts in line with new standards for the Le Méridien brand, creating a contemporary, culturally-refined and sophisticated atmosphere for guests. New looks for both resorts are being led by interior designer Didier Lefort.

The renovations at Le Méridien Tahiti include:

• New interiors for all Lagoon view rooms, suites featuring contemporary neutral-toned furniture and linens, soothing lighting and authentic Polynesian textures including bamboo, creating an ambience that is energizing by day and relaxing at night. Additional Polynesian touches include authentic “tapa” cloth lights and mother of pearl curtains. 
• A new, modern lobby will include three personal check-in “stations”, three computers for guests use, and a new concierge desk. The lobby will feature modern red, black and white furnishings including chairs designed to resemble the Tahitian tiare flower. Polynesian artwork such as a large cultural photo greeting guests will also dress up the lobby. An espresso bar with lounge seating will also be added. The espresso bar will offer a selection of blends from illy, reflecting a new partnership with the Le Méridien brand.
• La Plantation restaurant and Astrolabe bar will be renewed in a contemporary style that merges harmony and comfort with the environment. Natural colored wood and woven furniture mixed with brightly-colored accents of orange and green will enhance the Polynesian theme. The space will be re-designed to allow for both indoor and outdoor seating, with dividable “green walls” for added privacy.
• Additional enhancements include a re-landscaped entrance to the resort leading to a new façade featuring a bold red color, renovation of the Matisse Ballroom, and upgrades to the resort’s Mirror Pond.

At Le Méridien Bora Bora, Phase 2 of the resort’s renovations will make over all public spaces and enhance the beach and overwater bungalows with colorful new furniture and new thatched roofs. A new ecological centre will be also added to the Hotel. The resort will close from October 1, 2010, to January 22, 2011, for the renovations.
 
Phase 1 of the resort was completed in 2009. That project created a new class of Pool Beach Villas outfitted with private infinity pools; a new overwater wedding chapel for guests to celebrate or compliment their weddings; enhancements to premium overwater bungalows; and a new resort pool and fitness center.
 
There is a lot to look forward to in French Polynesia with Le Méridien over the year ahead. For more information, please visit www.tahiti.lemeridien.com and www.borabora.lemeridien.com, or call 1-800-543-4300.
 
About Le Méridien Tahiti
Located along a lagoon on one of the most beautiful – and unique – white-sand beaches of Tahiti, Le Méridien Tahiti is perfectly integrated into the luxuriant vegetation on the island. The thoroughly modern resort offers 138 garden- and lagoon-view rooms and suites, as well as 12 Polynesian-style, over-water bungalows. The gourmet Le Carré restaurant offers refined and creative cuisine before an exceptional panorama of the sister island Moorea; surrounded by exotic gardens, the 300-seat La Plantation restaurant presents a mix of Polynesian and international specialties; and L’Astrolabe bar is a splendid setting for sipping exotic cocktails. The hotel offers watersports equipment and family-style activities. There is also a wide array of meeting spaces, including the largest ballroom in Tahiti.
 
About Le Méridien Bora Bora
Set on the “Pearl of the Pacific,” Le Méridien Bora Bora is located on a six-mile-long “motu” islet, facing Otemanu Mountain, within one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. The hotel has 99 bungalows including beach bungalows, Pool Beach Villas, and overwater bungalows – the last featuring glass flooring for stunning views of marine life frolicking in the clear blue sea below. Le Tipanié restaurant is among the best gourmet dining venues in Bora Bora; Te Ava is a lovely setting for romantic lunches and relaxed dinners on the beach; and the Miki Miki bar resembles the prow of a ship headed for Mount Otemanu. Le Méridien Bora Bora’s turtle sanctuary is a private lagoon that is home to more than 100 species; the resort is active in environmental efforts to protect marine turtles, which guests can experience on-site in their natural habitat. Watersports equipment is available, along with the Kaïnalu Canoë Club and a kid’s club.
 
About Le Méridien
Originating in Paris, Le Méridien epitomizes European service culture, with a commitment to offering guests a truly authentic experience, respecting local culture and appealing to the curious and progressive guest. With more than 120 properties in 52 different countries, almost 70 percent of the Le Méridien properties are located in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East with an aggressive growth plan in North American and Asia-Pacific currently underway. For more information, please visit www.LeMéridien.com.
 
About Starwood
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced Aloft. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.