Le Royal Meridien Mumbai, a part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, has bagged the coveted International Five Star Diamond Award 2006.

The award, presented by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, comes after a strict assessment of hospitality, gastronomy, attitude, quality, cleanliness and service of the hotel.

Hotel General Manager and Regional Coordinator West Asia Julian R Groom said the award came as a recognition to the hotel's persistent efforts towards excellence over the last two years.

Le Meridien, which recently was included under the Starwood Hotels and Resorts that owned brands like Sheraton, W Hotels, St Regis, Westin and Four Points, had aggressive plans in India.

The hotel was planning expansion especially in places where finding accomodation posed a problem, Groom said.

The hotel maintained a steady occupancy with a year-on-year growth between 15 and 20 per cent.

India had been identified as potential market for other brands within the Starwood, Groom said.

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