Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Continues Global Collaboration with Art Galleries offering special access and privileges to its creative guests

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 03 June 2014 - Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi today announces its partnership with Abu Dhabi Art Hub as an 'UN-LOCK ART Strategic Partner' in Abu Dhabi.  The objective of this initiative is to provide guests with a unique check-in that evolves a functional process into an emotive experience. The program was designed by Le Méridien brand to play on the guests' senses by providing them with the opportunity to unlock their destinations with the help of Le Méridien Hotels worldwide.

Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi was recently re-launched with its newly refurbished rooms, restaurants and public areas. Le Méridien's influence on art is evident in the contemporary and forward looking design of this well-established hotel. On arrival curiosity is awakened with various elements of art which includes two giant metallic sculptures as 'arrival artwork', An origami art work made of stylized Abu Dhabi street maps behind the front desk- which emphasize on cartography, video art displayed at the concierge desk and a sensory experience through branded scent and music. This art in the hotel is largely curated by LM100 artists, a group of cultural innovators and artists who define and enrich the guest experience at Le Méridien. Discovery continues at check-in with Unlock Art, where guests receive a limited-edition room key designed exclusively by an LM100 artist, which also offer special privileges at Abu Dhabi Art Hub.

"We are delighted to work with Abu Dhabi Art Hub as our preferred partner in the Unlock Art program. Their impressive event calendar offers our guests great exposure to both local and international art scenes. We will also be working closely with the Abu Dhabi Art Hub team to promote local artists through exhibitions and events in line with Le Méridien brands' passion towards Art."- Said Shaun Parsons, General Manager, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi.

Focused on emerging and established visual artists from across the world, Abu Dhabi Art Hub serves as a platform for interaction and cross-cultural artistic exchanges between national, regional and international artists. Abu Dhabi Art Hub encompasses perpetual activity for benefit of the community regarding the visual arts. Support and advancement of art and artists is reflected in the founding of Art Hub which provides facility as a "live - create - exhibit" platform for artists both locally and globally. Through an aggressive schedule of activities and events, Art Hub continues to engage the community at-large regarding the evolving Abu Dhabi art scene and, perhaps more importantly for the future, its artists.

"Being designated as Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi's UN-LOCK ART Strategic Partner in Abu Dhabi is an honor and we look forward to engaging the hotel's guests with the creativity of Emirati, regional and international visual artists who gather at Abu Dhabi Art Hub to create and exhibit in a cross-cultural environment," says Ahmed Al Yafei, Founder and Owner, Abu Dhabi Art Hub.

Located on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi is a popular destination for business and leisure travelers.

For more information on Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, visit www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

About Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts
Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by nearly 100 properties in more than 40 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in November 2005.  With more than 80 of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien provided a strong international complement to Starwood's then primarily North American holdings at the time of purchase. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand re-launch, which included a large scale hotels product consolidation as well as redefining its brand strategy. Through creation of the LM100 artist community, Le Méridien has transformed numerous guest touch points, thus bringing unique, interactive and curated experiences to its guests. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts within the next five years, concentrating on markets in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Le Méridien recently opened new hotels in Bali, Atlanta, Dallas, Istanbul, Oran (Algeria), Arlington (Virginia, USA), and Coimbatore (India), and will open in the next 12 months in Chicago, Zhengzhou (China), Mahabaleshwar (India), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Cairo (Egypt), Qingdao (China), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tampa (Florida, USA) and Columbus (Ohio, USA).  For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com or www.facebook.com/lemeridien. 

For further information, or to schedule interviews with our General Manager or Abu Dhabi Art Hub Management please contact:       
KIRAN KUMAR
PR + Marketing Director
T +971 2 695 0517  
M +971 56 616 8553  
F +971 2 695 0529
kiran.kumar@lemeridien.com

© Press Release 2014