Resort awarded trio of prestigious accolades: "Middle East's Leading Spa Resort", "Middle East's Leading Beach Resort" and "Dubai's Leading Spa Resort"

Dubai, UAE, 6th May 2012: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai has been awarded once again at the World Travel Awards 2012, hosted in Dubai. Reigning victorious in three highly commendable categories, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai walked away in possession of the "Middle East's Leading Spa Resort", "Middle East's Leading Beach Resort" and "Dubai's Leading Spa Resort" awards.

"I am delighted that Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai has once again been acknowledged for its world class standards of quality, service and performance. It is my pleasure to receive these awards on behalf of the hotel, however it is the hotel's dedicated and extraordinary team, with whom the real recognition truly lays," said Pam Wilby Complex General Manager of Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai and Grosvenor House Dubai.

Renowned as one of the most coveted international annual accolades, the World Travel Awards are un-officially known as the 'Oscars' of the travel and tourism industry. Wining these three impressive accolades is testament to the unwavering commitment of Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai's dedicated team of associates.

Situated along the golden sands of Jumeira beach, set in acres of lush, landscaped gardens, the hotel's 14 restaurants and bars offer culinary delights from Mexican to Mediterranean, European to Arabic cuisines. These include the popular culinary grill with a twist, Rhodes Twenty10 by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Gary Rhodes OBE, and the modern Mexican, Maya by Richard Sandoval, as envisioned by internationally acclaimed, Latin American chef Richard Sandoval.

Boasting exceptional leisure and spa facilities, as well as 500 rooms and suites, three swimming pools, two with swim up bars, not to mention four flood-light tennis courts and an award winning Romanesque spa, Caracalla Spa & Health Club, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort + Spa Dubai provides travelers seeking a superior degree of comfort, hospitality and personalised service with the ultimate in luxury and relaxation.

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About Le Méridien
Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by 100 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 a large scale hotels product consolidation as well as redefining its brand strategy. By appointing a full-time Cultural Curator - French arts-provocateur Jérôme Sans - Le Méridien transformed 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 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 recently opened new hotels in Istanbul, Coimbatore (India), Koh Samui (Thailand), Taipei, and Philadelphia, and will open in the next 12 months in Bali, Zhengzhou (China), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Suvarnabhumi (Thailand).  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 1090 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 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, Aloft®, and Element SM.  The company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. 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:
Natasha Everley, Hill & Knowlton
Tel 971 4 3344930, fax 971 4 3344923
Email: Natasha.Everley@hkstrategies.com

© Press Release 2012