Le Meridien debuts new lobby concept with artistic bent

Grand entrance: The new facade at Le Meridien Barcelona

By Mark Chesnut

Business travelers as well as anyone planning a Europe vacation can get a peek at an artistic new lobby concept unveiled by Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, when they check into the Le Meridien Barcelona.

The new lobby concept, called Le Meridien Hub, debuted in Barcelona in June and is to be introduced in the coming months at all of the brand’s hotels; the next property slated for the conversion is the Le Meridien Istanbul, in November.

The Hub lobby is divided into three visually and architecturally distinct areas, with decidedly contemporary design elements. Guests first are exposed to the Arrival Experience, where original artwork, created by members of LM100 — a group of international artists and cultural innovators that works with Le Meridien — aims to create a contrast with the outside world and a sense of arrival at the hotel property.

The second area, the Interaction Zone, has seating designed to foster conversations and socializing. In this area, visitors will also find a library of books that reflect the cultural and creative side of the destination where the hotel is located. The Interaction Zone will also serve as the venue for Le Meridien’s event series, “A New Perspective,” which features speakers and presentations on a variety of topics.

The third area, the Latitude Bar, is a coffee bar complete with espresso machine and barista, with a variety of coffee blends and local culinary creations among the offerings. In the evening, this space may also be used for wine-themed events.Related resources

• Bangkok hotels
• Montego Bay hotels
• Riviera Maya hotels
• Toronto hotels

Mark Chesnut is a freelance writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuseson business and leisure travel to Latin America.

Tagged: Europe