In an effort to augment its business potential, the Le Meridien Cochin recently conducted a spate of activities. The ‘Le Revive’ beauty parlour was newly opened and inaugurated in the basement of the hotel. Specialised in skin care, Jyothi Raj Krishnan, manager of ‘Le Revive’ Beauty Parlour at Le Meridien would also have a specialist consultant in hair care made available at the Salon by appointment. The parlour engages in all kinds of facials-vegetable and fruit, galvanic treatment, aroma and aloe vera oil treatments and other natural product treatments as part of their skin care therapies.

Hairstyling mantras include colouring, perming and straightening, in addition to the latest hairstyles by specialist Sunitha. Bridal make up, body waxing, pedicure, manicure, henna, head oil massage, mehendi designing (both Indian and Arab designs), electrolysis and cauterisation make up for the rest of the Salon’s beauty and grooming treatments.

Located near the hotel’s Ayurveda Spa, this 500 square feet parlour would be open every day of the week from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm.

Subsequently, Le Meridien also inaugurated the brand new concept of an Art Gallery within the premises. The Art Gallery is a hitherto unwrapped concept whereby the walls of the hotel would be used to exhibit paintings of various artists.

Said Sanjay Sharma, general manager, Le Meridien Cochin, “Hotels are not just about great food anymore - but also what is crucial are fresh concepts. Put up a painting on the wall, a sculpture or anything interesting and it pushes up the hip factor. Kerala sprouts talent and creativity, so why not provide them a platform to display their works. They don’t have to pay a rental to exhibit their paintings, and we pay them their price as and when a guest picks up their painting off the wall. For an artist, it is an entry to the big world.”

Serving art on a platter with the paintings exhibited on corridor walls leading to the dining areas and banquet halls, some artists have already taken home their pay cheques - even before the formal announcement of the Art Gallery. Offering quality art at very sensible prices further pushes up the buying factor.

The hotel has further plans of promoting artists. Giving them exposure during food festivals and other events happening within the hotel is an option. However, that this art trend is fast catching on is evident in the growing number of artists, both young and old, willing to display their works in the gallery.

The ‘Le Revive’ beauty parlour and the Art Gallery were both inaugurated by well-known Malayalam film actor Jayaram.