February 22, 2011 (Bora Bora) - It's a new day for Le Méridien in French Polynesia, with the reopening of Le Méridien Bora Bora following completion of the final stage of its $12 million resort-wide renovation. The final phase of the transformation includes new interiors for all beach bungalows, overwater bungalows and public spaces, as well as a new Turtle Observatory. The re-opening follows sister resort Le Méridien Tahiti's redesign, which debuted earlier this month, signaling the re-launch of the Le Méridien brand in French Polynesia.

"We are thrilled to re-introduce our guests to the 'new' Le Méridien in French Polynesia with the unveiling of fresh, modern looks this month for both Le Méridien Tahiti and Le Méridien Bora Bora," said Vincent Guerin, Director of Sales & Marketing for both resorts. "The completed redesigns elevate the Le Méridien experience in the South Pacific with island touches and a refined ambiance."

The renovations of both Le Méridien Bora Bora and Le Méridien Tahiti were led by award-winning French interior designer Didier Lefort, bringing a modern look while maintaining the Polynesian flavor both resorts are known for.  The projects updated both resorts to meet new standards for the Le Méridien brand, creating a contemporary, culturally-refined and sophisticated atmosphere for guests to enjoy.

The latest phase of the renovation at Le Méridien Bora Bora comes on the heels of  the 2009 addition of four new Pool Beach Villas, each featuring its own private plunge pool; a new glass-bottomed overwater wedding chapel; a new swimming pool on the main beach; and a new fitness center.

Phase II of the Le Méridien Bora Bora renovation includes: 

• Bungalow Interiors: All beach and overwater bungalows interiors now feature a sleek and modern color palette with bright accents.  Guests enjoy new dark sofas with splashy orange accent pillows; a surfboard-shaped white coffee table; and warm wooden side tables and chairs.  Beds feature crisp white linens, with a new honey-colored wooden canopy and sheer white curtains surrounding the bed.  Rich red bedside lamps hang from the canopy, with additional new reading lamps available on both sides.  Overwater bungalows offer spectacular views of the lagoon from a new window located in front of the desk, while the glass panel in the floor - the largest in Bora Bora - remains the focal point, offering views of the lagoon's sea life below.

• Restaurants & Bars: Restaurants Le Tipanie, Le Tiare, Le Te Ava and the Miki Miki Bar have been restyled with new fabrics, palettes and illumination that is at once stimulating and refined. Le Te Ava features new contrasting black and lavender furnishings, while the Miki Miki Bar has been reconfigured to offer views of Mount Otemanu from every perch. The Pool Bar has been enhanced with handsome seating, tables and bar stools, while contemporary chaise lounges, umbrellas and tables inspire relaxation and pleasurable contemplation on the pool deck.

• Front Desk and Public Spaces: Other public areas, including the front desk, activities desk and internet room, also received new contemporary lighting, fabrics and furniture. A large art installation featuring a design made of shells now covers the entire wall behind the front desk.

• Turtle Observatory: Playing off the success of Le Méridien Bora Bora's renowned Turtle Sanctuary, a new Turtle Observatory has been constructed at the Inner Lagoon for guests to experience the resort's hawksbill and green sea turtle population.  A new Ecological Center is also being constructed and is expected to be complete in April.

• Docks and Roofs: Additional enhancements at Le Méridien Bora Bora include new teak wood docks leading to the overwater bungalows; new traditional "pandanus" thatched roofs on each of the 99 bungalows as well as the restaurants, bars and other public spaces; and walkways redone to feature wooden panels in a warm, sandy hue.

Guests can be among the first to experience the "new" Le Méridien Bora Bora and Le Méridien Tahiti with the "2011 Le Méridien Discovery" package, which includes four nights at Le Méridien Bora Bora and one complimentary night at Le Méridien Tahiti. Breakfast for two is also included. The package is available from 100,000 XPF (approx. $1,200 U.S.) per person.  The price of the package is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

For more information or to make reservations at Le Méridien Bora Bora or Le Méridien Tahiti, please call 1-800-543-4300 or visit www.lemeridien-borabora.com or www.lemeridientahiti.com.

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 resort's 99 bungalows include: three lagoon bungalows, 10 beach bungalows, four Pool Beach Villas and 82 over-water bungalows, including 22 Premium over-water bungalows.  All over-water bungalows feature glass flooring for stunning views of marine life frolicking in the clear blue sea below. Le Tiaré restaurant is among the best gourmet dining venues in Bora Bora; Te Ava is a lovely setting for romantic lunches 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.

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
Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by 104 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in November 2005. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand re-launch, which included appointing a full-time Cultural Curator - French arts-provocateur Jérôme Sans - and transforming numerous guest touch points, thus brining unique and interactive experiences to its guests.  With close to 80 of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien provides an international complement to Starwood's strong North American portfolio. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien hotels and resorts within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China.  Le Méridien recently opened new hotels in Dallas, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Shimei Bay (China), Xiamen (China), Chongqing Nan'an (China), Qingdao (China) and Taipei and recently signed a new deal in Coimbatore, India. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com .

About Starwood Hotels & Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM.  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.