Hyatt has been very aggressive in its growth strategy this year, and the company shows no signs of slowing down — with CEO Mark Hoplamazian citing Europe as a major area for further expansion.
Don't know if you've noticed it, but we definitely see a trend: Merger or not, Starwood isn't letting up on its brand development investments anytime soon. It'll be interesting to see how much it can differentiate a legacy brand like Le Meridien when positioned against Marriott's Renaissance Hotels or AC Hotels brands.
The promise of a one-of-a-kind eclair probably isn't enough to convince a traveler to stay at Le Meridien, but it does provide an accessible entry point to discuss and relay the values of the hotel brand.