Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, Sabah welcomes a mix of business & leisure travellers.

Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts continues its expansion in Asia following an agreement with Gloharta Sdn Bhd to manage a brand new hotel in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah which is the northern most state of Malaysian Borneo.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, a 292-room, five-star property is in its final stage of construction. The hotel is situated on the eastern side of Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, a highly desirable site in Kota Kinabalu City Centre, and offers extensive views of both the city and the South China Sea.

The hotel will comprise of six food and beverage outlets ranging from a poolside bar to a specialty restaurant. Other facilities will include a ballroom, meeting rooms, a fully equipped business centre, fitness centre and spa facility offering a comprehensive range of spa and beauty services and a roof top swimming pool.

Michael Sagild, Le Meridien Hotels and Resort's Asia Pacific Regional Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to expand our portfolio in Malaysia with this second property.

"The opening of Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu in the city centre in late summer will enhance business travellers' selection of accommodation in Malaysia. The hotel's distinct design, elegant and contemporary interior together with the use of latest technology, will no doubt welcome a mix of business and leisure travellers," added Sagild.

Le Meridien currently has 21 new hotels in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond, including five in Asia. In addition to the latest signing in Malaysia, two new properties are due to open Shanghai, China and two in Thailand, in Chiang Mai and a second Le Meridien property in Bangkok.