Le Méridien Hotels & Resort has signed a management contract which will see the hotel operator move into Croatia.

The company is to take over a luxury 381-bedroom property in Split on the Croatian Adriatic coast.

The hotel is currently closed for redevelopment and will reopen as a Le Méridien seafront destination in early 2006, boasting three restaurants, four bars and health and leisure facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa, a private beach with water sports and two tennis courts.

As well as a nightclub and casino, the resort will also offer the largest conference space in Croatia with 2,000sq m of flexible meeting space.

Robert Riley, Le Méridien’s CEO, said: “This hotel project represents a fantastic opportunity for Le Méridien to move into an emerging destination that has experienced ongoing stability and substantial growth.

“Strong inward investment and the anticipated accession to the EU over the next five years will also contribute to the overall success of the region.”