-Hotel scoops four major accolades during prestigious awards ceremony-

Dubai, UAE 11 May 2010:  Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa Dubai, the ultimate spot for unmatched luxury, walked away with four prestigious accolades at the grand World Travel Awards ceremony held recently in Dubai.  'Dubai's Leading Spa Resort', 'UAE's Leading Spa Resort', 'Middle East's Leading Spa Resort' and 'Middle East's Leading Beach Resort 'are the impressive awards the hotel picked up in recognition of its unrivalled excellence.

This year over 183,000 travel, tourism and hospitality industry professionals and experts were invited to vote for their favorites, and to acknowledge the hotel's outstanding achievements, innovation and excellence in service which placed it ahead of competitors across the region.

"It is a great honor for the Le Royal family to be recognized and have their efforts acknowledged once more as they continue to strive for a level of service and passion that is unmatched in the hotel industry," said Pam Wilby Complex General Manager of Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa and Grosvenor House Dubai. "We are delighted to receive these exceptional accolades in all four categories. This is a phenomenal achievement of which our associates duly deserve."

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa is a tranquil haven overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf.  Whether visiting for business or pleasure, guests can be assured of optimal luxury in the resort's 500 rooms and suites that can cater to almost every type of traveler.

"It's enormously rewarding to know that Le Royal Méridien remains a venue of choice for travelers and it is through our ongoing commitment that we continue to offer the experience of a lifetime to all of our guests. These awards are testament and proof that dedication and attention to detail are key ingredients to achieve success in today's increasingly competitive hotel industry," concluded Wilby.

-Ends- 

About Le Méridien 
Le Méridien, the French-born hotel brand currently represented by 107 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 bringing 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 brand provides a strong international complement to Starwood's primarily North American holdings. 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 Hotels recently opened new hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Shimei Bay (China), Dallas and will open in Philadelphia in the coming months, and has recently signed new hotel deals in Taipei, Xiamen, Chongqing Nan'an, and Qingdao (China).  For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.   

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 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.

For media information regarding Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa Dubai:
Amina Grimen, Hill & Knowlton
Tel: 971 4 3344930,
fax 971 4 3344923
Email: Amina.Grimen@hillandknowlton.com

© Press Release 2010