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Hotel Hype: LA Le Meridien No More?

Where: 465 S. La Cienega Boulevard [map], Beverly Hills, CA, United States, 90048

NY Post's Travel section says that Los Angeles-based SBE Group has signed a 15-year contract with designer Phillippe Starck to roll out a new chain of luxury hotels.

The yet-to-be-name chains' first hotel is set to open in 2008 in the existing Le Meridien in Los Angeles, which is also home to famed Arnie Morton's Steakhouse.

Although the Le Meridien is somewhat close to the trendy Robertson Boulevard and ritzy Rodeo Drive, the location is actually the very edge of Beverly Hills on a busy and confusing intersection, across from a strip mall and just a few blocks down from the garish Beverly Center.

So much for a luxury setting. We just hope they keep the strip joint there instead of closing it a la Beverly Hilton's wish to close their Trader Vic's restaurant.

Related Stories:
· Le Meridien Beverly Hills reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Express Check-In [NY Post]
· Beverly Hilton May Expand [HotelChatter]