Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has reached an agreement with PT. Tiara Raya Bali International, a company of Ristia Group, to develop Le Méridien Bali – Jimbaran. Formerly known as Ristia Resort, the soon-to-open hotel will be rebranded to a Le Méridien resort under the management of Starwood Hotels & Resorts and is slated to open in mid-2012. “We are excited to announce our collaboration with Starwood on Le Méridien Bali – Jimbaran. We believe that our distinctive design and location is the perfect fit for Le Méridien brand. It will be a great success,” said Richard Wiriahardja, Chairman of Ristia Group. Located on the secluded, tranquil Jimbaran Bay on the west coast of Bali, the former fishing hamlet of Jimbaran nowadays translates into a contemporary lifestyle destination on the island, featuring well-preserved white sandy beaches, nature-carved cliffs and beachside eateries that offer visitors fresh catches of the day. Complementing the location, Le Méridien Bali will juxtapose traditional Jimbaran heritage against a contemporary creative space surrounded by serene and refreshing elements of water. Further extending this lifestyle, the hotel will feature a three-storey restaurant and bar, Bamboo Chic, focused on local cuisine and featuring a rooftop sunset lounge with magnificent views of Jimbaran bay; a uniquely designed lagoon swimming pool that is accessible from ground floor guestrooms; a full service spa; state-of-the-art fitness center and 200 square meters of meeting space. Le Méridien Bali will also offer 123 oversized suites, featuring 28 Aqua Suites, four rooftop villas and four penthouse suites. An ultimate private discovery, rooftop villas will feature a Bale Bengong – Indonesian style outdoor lounging area and a private plunge pool surrounded by stunning views of the beach and the resort. The hotel will showcase the signature Le Méridien arrival experience, curated by international arts provocateur Jérôme Sans, the hotel brand’s cultural curator since 2006. Le Méridien arrival experience commences from the moment guests arrive at the hotel door steps until they have opened the door to their guest room and is designed to make the first ten minutes of the guest’s stay memorable and special. Arrival consists of four elements: large-scale artwork on doors of the hotel to reset the mind and leave the outside world behind; the sensory experience, illustrated through Le Méridien signature scent, sound and use of light, creating a unique and distinctive atmosphere; UNLOCK ART™ programme, which features an artist designed key card collection that not only offers access to the guestroom but also to Le Méridien affiliated contemporary cultural centers; and the elevated experience, which transforms the event of riding an elevator into an “elevating experience” through sound. In addition to the signature arrival experience, the hotel will feature the recently launched innovative lobby concept, Le Meridien Hub, a place for guests and locals alike to stimulate dialogue and creativity as well as a place to contemplate. “Le Méridien has undergone a comprehensive brand transformation in the six years since it was acquired by Starwood,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and W Hotels Worldwide. “In this new era for Le Méridien, with its best portfolio ever and a new brand direction, we are proud to return to Bali, specifically a perfect lifestyle destination such as Jimbaran.” Jimbaran bay lies on the ‘neck’ of the southern peninsula in Bali. The hotel is easily accessible by car with a 20-minute drive from Denpasar airport and 30 to 40 minutes drive from the Kuta/Seminyak shopping and entertainment area. To access all the latest information about the world’s major hotel companies via one mobile platform visit hotel.city.mobi/.