business

Starwood hotel comes to Panama

Starwood will open a Le Meridien hotel in Panama in 2009. Bern Hotels & Resorts will manage it.

Someone has heard the tourism industry’s constant call for more hotels in Panama.

The well known chain Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will open a Le Méridien hotel in Panama with the aim of extending this European brand throughout the Latin American market.

Bern Hotels & Resorts Panamá, which is in charge of the franchise, reported that the new hotel will have 118 guest rooms, 25 of which will be junior suites, and a presidential suite with a view of the Bay of Panama.

The hotel will also have a lobby bar, restaurant and 400 square meters of meeting space distributed among four ballrooms.

Additionally, it will have an outdoor pool, gym and spa.

"We are honored to be able to open the first Le Meridien hotel in Central America and continue developing tourism in our country," said Glen Champion, the vice president of Bern Hotels.

Le Meridien originated in France in 1972, a creation of Air France airlines.

It was purchased by Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2005, which is headquartered in London.

The Starwood brand is known for its European style with a French accent combined with a touch of local culture.

"We welcome this opening with great pride, since the property is going to be a key hotel for international travelers that are interested in exploring the new and the diversity of culture in Panama," said Osvaldo Librizzi, president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America.

The Le Meridien will be located on Avenida Balboa at Calle Uruguay and is expected to open sometime in the first half of 2009, according to Bern Hotels.

Empresas Bern is a well established name in the construction, hotel and tourism business in Panama. It’s motto is "Panama is worth more every day."