Méridien introduces cigar bars

Forte plans to introduce pilot cigar bars into three of its London Le Méridien hotels in 1999.

Cigar bars have long been fashionable in the USA and have already found their way into Le Méridien hotels in Singapore and Phuket, Thailand.

The first hotel to light up will be Le Méridien Piccadilly, followed by Grosvenor House and the Waldorf Méridien. They will sell 12 brands of Havana Classics, in several sizes, with traditional accompaniments such as Cognac, whisky and Cuban cocktails.

Guests will also be able to stock a personal box with their favourite cigars and liquors which will be stored in the humidor during and between their stays at the hotels.The cost of this service has not yet been fixed, but could be several hundred pounds a year.

Forte expects the bars to prove popular among Americans who cannot legally enjoy Cuban cigars in the USA thanks to the trade blockade. Americans account for about 20% of Le Méridien's business.

If the London trials are successful, the cigar bars will be opened in other Le Méridiens in Britain and Ireland.