Le Meridien moves out of hotels...

The group currently manages the former Ritz Kuwait hotel and will be opening Le Meridien Safat this autumn, as well as another property in the Mubarakia district next year. While this will give residents a further choice in dining establishments, the intention is to take its expertise in gastronomy even farther afield.

Hannes Yaghi, heading up Le Meridien's expansion in Kuwait, said outside catering represented a huge source of potential revenue for Le Meridien, both for events such as large weddings, as well as corporate affairs.

"Our dedicated department is extremely skilled and can cater for up to 3,500 guests, for a full banquet or an intimate family gathering," he said. "To demonstrate our commitment to this sector, we have invested in the latest banquet equipment and luxury tableware and venue dressing, as well as five outsized catering trucks."

As well as outsider operations, the hotel is gearing up for the launch of Kuwait's first dedicated conference centre, currently under construction in the Tower extension, which will provide an ideal venue for larger events.
"The new centre will enable Le Meridien to take event management and handling to higher levels, and the Kuwait market will soon notice the difference," predicted Yaghi.

The renovation of the hotel is nearly complete and it will formally be relaunched as Le Meridien Kuwait this winter, following which Le Meridien Safat is expected to debut early in 2004.

Le Meridien's development in Kuwait is the result of a recently formed relationship with A'Amal Hotels Company, aimed at a new vibrancy in to the hotel sector in the emirate as it develops as both a regional tourism centre and economic powerhouse.