Le Meridien has signed an agreement with Wanda Group to open two new properties in China, one in Qingdao and one in Chongqing. Scheduled to open in 2011, the two new Le Meridien hotels further strengthen the Le Meridien brand’s growing portfolio in China.

In addition, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of Le Meridien, has also signed an agreement with Wanda Group to add a Sheraton in Wuxi and a Westin in Taiyuan to the Starwood portfolio in China.

Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific, said, “Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in western China and one of the most established industrial bases in China, while Qingdao attracts travelers with its rich cultural heritage and sound economic strength. Both cities are a great fit with Le Meridien brand, which is committed to providing guests with an interactive and culturally enriching experience.”

Le Meridien is also set to open Le Meridien Shimei Bay Beach Resort & Spa in China this year, as well as three Le Meridien hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai by the end of the year.

Le Meridien Chongqing, Nan’an will be located between Nanping Avenue and Shanhu Road in Nan’an Nanping Business District of Chongqing. Le Meridien will feature 345 rooms, approximately 23,000 square feet of meeting space, five restaurants and bars, a health club, an indoor heated swimming pool, spa, penguin club and a retail shop.

Le Meridien Chongqing will be part of a mixed-use development complex called “Chongqing Wanda Plaza”, which consists of the hotel (in one tower), 1.1 million square feet of offices in four towers, 1.1 million square feet of retail mall at the office podium, and 5 million square feet of un-branded private residential apartments in 17 towers.

Situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Southwest China, Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in Western China, with a population of around 30 million, making it the largest city globally. Well connected to various cities of China as well as Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and other countries globally, arrivals into Chongqing has been growing at an impressive rate of 15% annually.

Le Meridien Qingdao will be strategically located at the intersection of Xu Zhou Road and Yan Ji Road in Shi Bei District of Qingdao, Shandong Province, the new Central Business District of Qingdao. The hotel’s facilities will consist of 330 rooms, approximately 29,000 square feet of meeting space, four restaurants and bars, business center, a health club, an indoor heated swimming pool, spa, penguin club and a retail shop.

The hotel is planned to be part of a mixed-use development complex called “Qingdao Wanda Plaza”, which consists of the hotel (in one tower), 1.2 million square feet of offices in two towers, 1.2 million square feet of retail mall at podium, and 660,000 square feet of unbranded private residential apartments in three towers.

Qingdao is the capital city of Shandong Province and a key economic center and coastal port city famous for its cultural heritage, beaches and beautiful scenery. It is voted as one of China's top ten economically dynamic cities and business cities. Due to its unique coastal location, manufacturing hub, heritage buildings and long beaches, Qingdao is a favorite destination for domestic, regional and international business and leisure travelers. One of the most popular attractions in Qingdao is the “Badaguan Scenic Area” located in the eastern part of the city. Badaguan is popular for its garden-like villas and European inspired buildings constructed by Europeans (mainly Germans) during the German’s occupation period in 1897. Due to the iconic heritage buildings in Badaguan, Qingdao is popularly known as “little Germany” by local and foreign visitors.