Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa tops guest poll

The results have been revealed in a rolling survey of customer service levels at Le Meridien hotels worldwide, where the hotel has come out top for the third consecutive time, maintaining its leading position for a complete year.

According to general manager Pam Wilby, the result reflects her philosophy that it is the staff of any hotel that gives it a personality.

She said: "Our staff are our biggest asset, and this award is validation of their ongoing commitment to customer care. Anyone can build a hotel - it is only bricks and mortar after all - but it's the people involved that make the difference, which we call the Royal Treatment.

"What's more, our guests notice the difference as well: 45 per cent of our leisure guests are returning to the hotel - a figure that is far and away the highest in Dubai. We refer to these guests as Ambassadors, as their experiences do more to promote the hotel through their experiences than anything else can."

The independent survey, carried out by well-known market research consultancy J D Powers, assesses each Le Meridien hotel's performance in all areas from guest arrival to rooms, restaurants and other facilities, and departure.

According to general manager Pam Wilby, the result reflects her philosophy that it's the staff of any hotel that gives it a personality: "In a survey such as this, we are benchmarked against all Le Meridien hotels and resorts, from the older stately city institutions to brand new state-of-the-art properties - and I am delighted that the service provided by our staff can compete with, and tops, the best."

The Dubai resort, which has constantly expanded since opening nine years' ago, now has 500 rooms in three towers as well as 12 food and beverage outlets, a spa and health club, three swimming pools and extensive recreational facilities.

Wilby continued: "All our Ambassadors supported us through our renovation and expansion projects, and they tell us they are more than happy with the results which provide them with global standards of accommodation, cuisine and service."

She said that the hotel product offered generally in Dubai, and particularly at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa was superior to many similarly priced destinations around the world, and that this was now being recognised on an international basis.

However, the JD Powers survey encompasses the local market as well, and Le Royal Meridien's restaurants and bars have been a welcome innovation to the Dubai market.

Wilby added: "In fact, we have also been acknowledged as number one worldwide in Le Meridien's network of more than 140 hotels for food and beverage product too."