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Published on November 28, 2007

The Bt2-billion Le Meridien Bangkok is on Surawong Road and will be managed by the Le Meridien Group.

Charoen's first hotel was the Royal Le Meridien Plaza Athenee.

The 282-room Le Meridien Bangkok is described as chic and contemporary.

Hotel general manger Ralf Stresing said it would target international business travellers, in particular from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Europe and the United States.

"We are aiming for 65-per-cent occupancy in the first year," he said.

The average room rate is Bt5,500 a night, on par with its main nearby rivals, the Dusit Thani, Pan Pacific and Sofitel Silom.

The Le Meridien Group operates three hotels in Thailand: the Royal Le Meridien Plaza Athenee in Bangkok, Le Meridien in Khao Lak and Le Meridien in Phuket.

It was rebranded after being purchased by Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2005.

"The owner already has the Imperial Group of hotels and resorts but chose Starwood because of its wide network and its focus on businesspeople," Stresing said.

Stresing was selected by the management group to launch its first "redefined" hotel in Thailand.

"After arriving in Thailand in 2004 as general manager of Le Meridien Royal Baan Taling Ngam on Samui, I am now gearing up the showcase hotel in Bangkok," he added.

Suchat Sritama, The Nation