Who founded Le Meridien hotels and when?
Le Meridien was founded by Air France in 1972. The airline established the chain to provide accommodation for its flight crews in major hub cities, with the first property being a 1,000-room hotel in Paris.
Questions about Le Méridien
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who owns Le Meridien hotels today?
Marriott International owns Le Meridien. Marriott gained the brand in September 2016 as part of its acquisition of Starwood, which had itself acquired Le Meridien on the 24th of November 2005.
How many Le Meridien hotels are there?
As of June 2021, Le Meridien had 109 open hotels with 29,439 rooms. The chain also had a pipeline of 37 additional hotels with 9,585 upcoming rooms.
Why did Air France sell Le Meridien?
Air France sold its 57.3% controlling interest in Meridien Hotels in 1994 as part of a cost-cutting measure. The European Commission is reported to have pressured the airline to sell to the UK-based Forte Group in exchange for a 20 billion Franc bailout for Air France.
What happened to Le Meridien Baghdad's Palestine Hotel?
The Palestine Hotel in Baghdad was built as the Palestine Meridien Hotel in 1982. Le Meridien severed its affiliation with the hotel in 1991 following UN sanctions imposed on Iraq in the aftermath of the Gulf War.
What is the history of Le Meridien Melbourne?
Le Meridien Melbourne opened in March 2023 in the converted Palace Theatre on Bourke Street in the Melbourne central business district, at a cost of $100 million. The opening marked the brand's return to Australia after previously operating a hotel in The Rialto.