Holiday Inn Unveils the 600th Relaunched Hotel Globally

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Hospitality industry's largest global relaunch brings what guests want to Chicago

April 14, 2009 // Franchising.com // IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms announced that Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area has become the 600th relaunched Holiday Inn hotel in the world.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area to the Holiday Inn family of hotels with the brand new sign and everything it represents. Relaunching in a key market area such as Chicago is important as this milestone demonstrates the progressive changes taking place at Holiday Inn, and also allows us to expand our consumer base, growing an even stronger presence across the globe." said Kevin Kowalski, Senior Vice President, World Wide Brand Management, Holiday Inn.

The property will now showcase the brand's new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program. First announced in 2007, the relaunch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency. The global estate of more than 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties is expected to be completed in 2010.

"We're very excited to reach this significant milestone as part of the journey that Holiday Inn has been on since 2007," said John Merkin, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brands, The Americas. "Relaunched hotels are already seeing improvements in performance, resulting in a stronger, more competitive product, giving guests what they want and need in a hotel. We are well on our way to completing our journey to make every Holiday Inn hotel as great as our best ones."

Located minutes away from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the 245 room hotel boasts modern décor throughout the lobby and guestrooms. The property is located near many popular Chicago attractions including The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Allstate Arena, Rosemont Theater, McCormick Place Convention Center, Millennium Park, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier, Grant Park, Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, United Center, Sears Tower, and Magnificent Mile Shopping.

Among the new Holiday Inn brand features now visible at Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area are a redesigned logo, improved signage and new outdoor lighting, landscaping and design. Refreshed guest rooms include new bedding and enhanced bathroom features, while the welcome experience has been enhanced with a redesigned lobby, de-cluttered reception desk and all-new signature scents and sounds. A newly launched "Stay Real" service commitment ensures that guests receive excellent service during their stay.

"We've invested a lot of time and effort into relaunching this property and are pleased with the end result," said Sheila Gilani, general manager. "The Chicago area is one of the most well-traveled markets for both tourism and business in the U.S., and we knew our loyal guests would welcome the signs of change at Holiday Inn."

Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area is located at 5615 North Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois which is minutes away from O'Hare International Airport.

About Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts

With nearly 1,400 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is the most widely recognized lodging brand in the world. In fact, Holiday Inn was one of the first international hotel brands to establish a presence in China in 1984. Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts provides the services that business travelers need, while also offering a comfortable atmosphere where all people can relax and enjoy amenities such as restaurants and room service, swimming pools, fitness centers and comfortable lounges. The casual atmosphere and amenities such as meeting and on-site business facilities, KidSuites rooms, and Kids Eat and Stay Free programs, demonstrate the long-standing commitment of Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts to serving travelers and have helped to establish the brand as "America's Favorite Hotel."

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 4,150 hotels and almost 620,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 42 million members worldwide.

IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 200,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

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