The doors opened to the much anticipated Le Méridien Pasadena Arcadia Hotel after a three-year build. Located opposite the historic Santa Anita Park and developed by SAICP LLC, it's managed by Pacifica Hotels, a premier operator of design-inspired hotels on the Pacific Coast.
Collaborating with Linda Snyder Associates and AO Architects, the property draws design inspiration from the hotel's European heritage offering modern design aesthetic in the main area and 234 guest rooms and suites.
“We are thrilled to finally welcome guests to our metropolitan oasis and unlock the destination through creative and cultured guest experiences,” said Mr. Shen, Owner of SAICP. “Built with a designer’s eye and stylish spirit, Le Méridien Pasadena Arcadia provides guests with a destination where moments of delight and discovery elevate their stay.”
This new event, party and wedding destination offers a variety of packages with over 15,940 sq. feet of space spanning 7 separate rooms. The 7,000 sq. feet expansive lawn and garden area is a prime space to enjoy sunny So Cal with the San Gabriel Mountain range as a backdrop.
There are three private dining rooms, plus 1,800 sq. feet of indoor pre-function space for indoor events and entertaining.
The hotel is 10 miles away from the Pasadena Convention Center, and less than one hour from downtown LA Convention Center.
Start your morning with illy coffee in the soaring ceiling lounge of the grand bar, Longitude 118. In the afternoon the hotel offers a tradition-worthy bespoke high tea, a nod to the Le Méridien brand’s European heritage during cocktail hour. The concept melds the refinement of traditional high tea with sophisticated custom highball cocktail mixology using the centuries-old craft of tea infusion.
This area becomes a social hub as guests listen to live music, sip craft cocktails or Le Méridien signature sparkling aperitif. There is outdoor seating overlooking the grassy garden area.
The fine dining Mélange restaurant is on the ground floor, off the lobby and grand lounge. The Asian-European cuisine crafted by Executive Chef Makoto Tanaka has become a local and guest favorite in the area. This esteemed chef is well known for opening Chinois of Main with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, and he was the Executive Chef at Spago Beverly Hills, before opening his own restaurant Mako in Beverly Hills.
The soaring ceiling restaurant features a two-story artistic wine cellar at the entrance. Menu items include cold plates such as salmon carpaccio, hot appetizers that include crispy oysters, crispy quail and bbq baby back ribs. The garlic noodles and seafood risotto are popular menu items, as are the fresh shellfish and fish options. Under meats and poultry there is a tender prime black Angus filet mignon, braised short ribs, lamb chops and a half roasted duck.
Upstairs are private dining rooms overlooking the stylish restaurant's interior.
Guest rooms and suites all have plush cotton-rich linens and soft pillow top mattresses. The generous size rooms offer floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a color palate that includes relaxing white, cream and grey colors.
The classic room offers two queen size beds, while the deluxe and executive rooms have a comfortable king size bed. The expansive one bedroom suite features a king size bed, sofa bed, walk-in shower and bathtub.
During the day, guests sit on one of the many lounge chairs, under red umbrellas to relax in the warm So Cal sun. Inside the hotel is a fitness center offering cardiovascular equipment and free weights with views from the glass windows.
Activities across the street from the hotel include the Santa Anita Park, built by Elias J. 'Lucky' Baldwin in 1907. It was the horse race track where Seabiscuit won his race in 1940, and the site for the 1984 Olympic Summer Games. When the horses aren't running, it is the site of food festivals, concerts and special events.
Nearby is the exquisite Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Situated on 127 acres, on the other end of the Santa Anita Park and the Westfield Santa Ana shopping mall. Strolling through the arboretum visitors explore Mediterranean, Australian, Asiatic-North American, South African and South American gardens. There are flocks of peacocks that call the arboretum their home. They are descendants of the original peafowl that 'Lucky' Baldwin imported from India. There is a beautiful lake, Queen Anne Cottage, and a historic railroad depot.
During the month of December, Pasadena attracts visitors from all over the world to attend the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day and the Rose Bowl Football game. The Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia is about a 15 minute drive to both venues.
