Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts | Minneapolis | Yvonne Golds | Real Studios

The memorable thing about most hotel experiences is that they aren’t. Even fashionable boutique hotels have lapsed into design cliché. Now Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts is betting that business travelers want more than 1990s hip: They want the unexpected. Last month, Le Méridien at Minneapolis unveiled its Art + Tech guest room. The new room, says its designer, Yvonne Golds of London-based Real Studios, tells a strong visual story. Design touches such as glass-etched headboards, back-lit photographs, and sophisticated adjustable lighting create a sense of drama. The design also features the latest in technology, including a 42-inch plasma television, electronically controlled beds, and high-speed Internet access.