Le Meridien, the upscale brand owned and operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, plans to up its U.S. portfolio to seven with openings in Philadelphia and Cambridge (Boston). "One of the main goals for Starwood is to expand Le Meridien brand in the North American market, given the brand's strong positioning and opportunities for growth," said Rip Gellein, president of Starwood's global development group. Existing U.S. properties include New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. The Philadelphia hotel will be completed in 2009 with 202 rooms, a 90-seat restaurant and a bar and lounge in the lobby. Le Meridien Cambridge, adjacent to the MIT campus, will offer 210 rooms and rooftop terrace garden. Visit www.lemeridien.com. (DE)