In Ahmedabad, the Le Meridien will manage an existing 63-room city centre hotel located in the city centre. Meanwhile, in the south-western state of Kerala, the group will fly its flag over the premier beachfront hotel in November. These moves mark the beginning of the next phase of expansion for the London-based operator, which has identified India as a principal growth area over the coming decade. Regional managing director Sami Zoghbi said: �We see India as one of the prime countries for growth and development of the brand, in line with our target to double the number of properties from 22 in the Middle East and West Asia by the end of 2004.� In Ahmedabad, Le Meridien is taking control of an existing 63-room hotel located city centre near the Nehru Bridge, and will focus on promoting its business and leisure facilities to a wider audience. The property is owned by Associated Hotel Limited and Shahid Balwa, the company�s chairman and also

Indoor Pool Le Meridien Ahmedabad (formerly Holiday Inn Hotel) Near Nehru Bridge Ahmedabad, India  Le Meridien Kovalam Beach Resort (formerly Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort) Kerala, India

Unique features of the property include the only hotel discotheque in the city, plus a health club with indoor pool. Other facilities range from a conference hall and boardroom, to the business centre, lawn and rooftop event areas, limousine airport pick-up and babysitting on demand, plus in-room satellite TV, hairdryer, minibar, tea/coffee maker, dual line telephone and electronic safe.

According to general manager Joseph D�Couto, Le Meridien will bring a new level of style of hotel operation to Ahmedabad. He said: �While existing properties in the city together offer a range of facilities, we are the only hotel to cater to both the business and leisure markets with a superb central location and every amenity to suit all requirements.�

Strengthening its global resort hand, Le Meridien Kovalam Beach Resort has 148 rooms plus 40 cottages and four suites in the adjacent Halcyon Castle on a prime site in Kerala, and additionally boasts a health club, three pools and an ayurvedic spa.

The property is owned by Kovelam Hotel Limited. Company chairman, P. Mohamed Ali, said: �Kerala as a destination has been gaining global recognition as a beach resort of unspoilt beauty, and we are delighted to be able to contribute to its development as a new destination for international travellers with a luxury resort such as Kovalam Beach.� Ali is also chairman of the owning company of Le Meridien Cochin.

The hotel has a convention centre, three restaurants and all rooms feature air-conditioning, satellite TV, dataports, hairdryer, minibar, tea/coffee makers, personalised voice mail and bathrobes.

General manager, Mughis Khan said the addition of Le Meridien�s name would add the stamp of international management to what is acknowledged as the number one resort in Kovalam.

�With unrivalled spa, leisure and beach facilities, Le Meridien Kovallam Beach Resort is a major addition to the group�s portfolio in India,� he said.

The upscale hotel group currently manages properties in the six major gateway cities in India, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Pune, and two in New Delhi and is considered as of the principal international hotel operators in the country.

Le Meridien currently operates 23 city and resort hotels in its West Asia and Middle East division, and has outlined a rapid expansion strategy for the area in recognition of its potential for both commerce and tourism development.

Le Méridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of over 135 luxury and upscale hotels (36,000 rooms) in 56 countries worldwide.  The majority of its properties are located in the world�s top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. The company also enjoys a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 44 properties around the world.   Headquartered in London, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Group was formed by the Principal Finance Group of Nomura International plc.  The Principal Finance Group has since become independent and is now known as Terra Firma.  The Terra Firma Group manages Le Méridien for Nomura International plc.