The Le Meridien is a beautiful, modern luxury hotel. Although the decor is somewhat sterile and conventional in many ways - little to distinguish it from others around the world besides some "Indian" art and artifacts, and not very much local "color"-- you will find the rooms are very nice, with inlaid wood and marble details. Just about every service you would expect is available, although the business support facilities were a bit limited and staff were not always available. There is a very nice health club and a traditional ayurvedic spa. You must experience an ayurvedic massage in Kerala. The restaurant was very good and quite large. On Friday the restaurant turned into a night club/disco, with an Hawaiian themed party during my stay. It looked as though no expense was spared in the decor. Everyone entering received either a real orchid lei or flower corsage. Be aware that male/female couples are allowed in only (so no singles). The entertainment that night was a hoot, with Russian models presenting local fashions (girls in sequined butterfly halter tops with hot pants and men in Saturday Night Fever costumes) and a few dance contests. I felt like I was at a high school dance in the fifties when they had competitions for couples to dance as close as possible without touching, and chose best male and female dancers. One thing that added a very surrealistic touch were the presence of tall, unfinished buildings that rose up out of the coconut palms some distance from the hotel. Looking like part of the set of a Planet of the Apes movie, I felt as if I was in a post-apocalyptic world in a decadently appointed sanctuary surrounded by the remnants of a destroyed modern civilization.
Ayurvedic Spa, Exceptionally clean, Nice views from rooms, luxury accomodations. Theme: HotelComparison: most expensive
