26 August 2008
Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan Raises the Curtain on a Most Unexpected (and Welcomed!) Revival
NEW YORK (Aug. 26, 2008) - Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan is due to complete an astounding $85 million reinvention and usher in an era where butlers, concierge floors and the island's largest indoor pool are all part of the vacation or business playbill. The new property will deliver guests an unparalleled and unexpected luxury experience. The revival of the 46-story, 770-room property - the only hotel in the theater district with an entrance on Broadway (between 48th and 49th streets), is sure to garner a standing ovation from business travelers and vacationers alike.
THE ROAD TO REINVENTION
The flagship property, managed by InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. on behalf of Times Square JV LLC and its subsidiary City Investment Fund, first opened its doors in 1990 and has always been a popular choice for visitors looking to stay in the heart of New York City.
"We are thrilled to be involved in this property reinvention. This was our first venture into hotel properties; we saw an inherent value in the address and we had to be a part of it," said Joseph M. Zuber, Chief Investment Officer, The City Investment Fund, L.P. "New York City is all about location and this property pairs the best in accommodation and service with one of the most recognizable addresses in the world - Times Square."
WHITE GLOVE SERVICE FIT FOR A CROWNE
The exclusive Butler Floor is the first and only of any hotel in Times Square. Comprised of 16 rooms on the 46th floor, these accommodations feature breathtaking views of Manhattan and offer complimentary services including private transportation to the hotel, in-room check-in and check-out, packing and unpacking services, laundry pressing and dry cleaning.
The Concierge Levels (floors 41 to 45) consist of 128 guest rooms, with spectacular views of Times Square, wireless and hard-wired Internet usage, access to a private business center, complimentary breakfast and preferred seating at the Brasserie 1605 Restaurant where the guests will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine with dinner selected by the hotel sommelier.
"This hotel is not just a place to rest your head at the end of the day, it is about an overall experience," said Asaad M. Farag, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan. "This property delivers unexpected solutions in an urban environment - the heart of Manhattan - that is wonderfully chaotic."
In addition, the hotel has partnered with New York Sports Club to provide guests a 29,000-square-foot in-property health club which includes exercise equipment, classes and a 50-foot indoor lap pool, the largest in Manhattan.
DETAILS BY DESIGN
The Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan partnered with industry visionaries, Wilson Associates New York, to create a distinctive and memorable space. The reinvented lobby offers an elegant setting amidst the energy and vibrancy of Times Square. The design scheme is classic, timeless, and accented by eye-catching elements.
Guest rooms are designed to create a calming oasis high above the vivacity of New York's bustling landscape. Soothing colors produce a comfortable, plush environment complete with thoughtful details. Each guest room features tuffeted high headboards, rich dark-wood finishes, all-white crisp linens, classic navy blue bed throws, decorative light fixtures, and a bold, striped chaise lounge to ultimately create a tailored look. All guest rooms will feature the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage which includes new pillow top mattresses, a sleep CD with relaxation tips, sleep amenities and guaranteed wake-up call. Each guest bathroom has been enhanced with flattering, soft light and decorated with a light-colored stone for a clean, fresh effect.
The property also features a customized sound system, which was designed by a creative music director to perfectly pair music selections with every space throughout the building. Pre-selected music was designed to complement lighting schemes and reflect the function of each space.
TIMES FARE
The Brasserie 1605 Restaurant is inspired by a classic counter-dining setting. Amidst the mass of overdone theme restaurants in Times Square, the Brasserie 1605 Restaurant offers exceptional food paired with a simple, classic interior that guests and locals alike will celebrate and embrace.
The space features seated dining for 165 people as well as a "grab-and-go" area, specifically designed for the on-the-go business traveler. Acrylic panels set against white stone are striking compliments to the unique artwork which creates a charming and welcoming environment.
The Broadway 49 Bar plays off a signature single malt scotch theme; the space is infused with amber hues set against dark woods and a striking, backlit onyx bar resulting in a classic, masculine look.
THE PLACE TO MEET
From executive board meetings to large conventions and memorable social functions, Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan offers 26,000 square feet of meeting space. The property offers a comprehensive meetings program to ensure a seamless planning process and an exceptional experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, a Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief.
The hotel features onsite valet parking and offers two full-service Business Centers with a full range of office essentials, including wireless Internet service, printing, shipping, facsimile, mobile phone rental, secretarial services, copying and office supplies.
For reservations, visit www.manhattan.crowneplaza.com or call 1-800-2CROWNE.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Monica Smith, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts,770-604-5562, [email protected]
Letal Greenberg, Weber Shandwick, 212-445-8108, [email protected]
About City Investment Fund
The City Investment Fund L.P. is an investment vehicle created expressly to pursue opportunistic real estate investments within the five boroughs of New York City, and is co-sponsored by The Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds (MSREF), an affiliate of Morgan Stanley, and Fisher Brothers, one of New York City's preeminent builders and owners of commercial real estate.
About Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top growing brands. As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has more than 300 hotels in nearly 60 countries, and are located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations.
Crowne Plaza participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has more than 39 million members. Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's more than 4,000 hotels worldwide.
Notes to Editors:
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, over 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 39 million members worldwide.
IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 150,000 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.
IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media