Major player

In the UAE, Le Meridien has no less than four hotels - three in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, - as well as one under construction in Fujairah.

The flagship Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa has 500 rooms and suites including luxurious Tower rooms and suites, Club rooms with business traveller services, two Royal suites, one Royal apartment and one President suite.

For banqueting and conferences, it offers seven rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 400 participants. The poolside garden and beach areas can cater for functions of up to 1,500 guests.

Recreational facilities consist of the Caracalla Spa & Health Club situated over three floors of the Tower gym, an aerobics centre, sauna, steam, jacuzzi, hammam pools, massage and beauty treatments.

There are also four tennis courts and two squash courts as well as two temperature-controlled swimming pools and an adjoining children's pool. Water sports on offer include wind surfing, kayaking, aquabiking, sailing and deep-sea fishing.

Further down the road towards Dubai, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is another 5-star property, popular with sports enthusiasts. 211 deluxe rooms and suites and 145 berths in the marina are on offer.

The complex completed one year of operations last October, and according to general manager Michael Scully, co-ordinated 306 events and hosted in excess of 220,000 visitors.

The grounds house three swimming pools, a dedicated fitness centre, tennis courts, petanque lawns, beach volleyball and football pitches and the only amphitheatre in the UAE.

Most water sports are available.

In the city, opposite Dubai International Airport, is Le Meridien Dubai with 384 deluxe rooms and suites, one Royal suite and one Presidential suite. The hotel offers a variety of restaurants and bars. For banquets or conferences, the hotel has 12 rooms with the capacity of accommodating from 12 to 1,200 people.

The poolside lawn and terrace areas can cater for up to 800 guests.

Recreational facilities include two temperature-controlled swimming pools, a gym and health club, aerobics centre, sauna, steam, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, five tennis courts and two squash courts and a health and beauty centre.

CULINARY VILLAGE

In the capital, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi is a city hotel located on the beach with 176 standard rooms, 27 club rooms and 23 suites, as well as no less than 14 food and beverage outlets.

The hotel offers a 'culinary village' comprising eight restaurants and six bars and lounges. Situated in landscaped gardens, linked by walkways, the outlets offer both indoor and outdoor dining.

The 14 outlets are the highest number which any hotel in the UAE capital has, as well as within Le Meridien's global network.

Leisure facilities include a gym, three swimming pools, two tennis courts, two squash courts, beach volleyball and basketball court and a complete range of water sports.

For banqueting and conferences, the hotel offers the Versailles ballroom for up to 400 participants or a banquet for 300 people. In the gardens, up to 1,000 guests can be accommodated.