11 August 2008
IHG Announces 18th Hotel Indigo Opening
Conversion property in Basking Ridge, N.J., is brand's second hotel in the state
ATLANTA (August 11, 2008) - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, today announces the opening of the Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge. The 112-room conversion property is the second Hotel Indigo to open in New Jersey, joining the recently opened Hotel Indigo Skyview Rahway.
The Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge, a conversion from the Inn at Somerset, is conveniently located minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport. Nestled in the Somerset Hills, the hotel is near many nature attractions and Revolutionary War landmarks, while still being just a short drive away from the buzz of New York City. Power shoppers will be near the Bridgewater Commons Mall, Short Hills Mall and Liberty Village Premium Outlets. Visitors also have the option of golfing the day away or being pampered, with convenient access to some of Basking Ridge's best offerings, including fine restaurants and bars, a golf course, and a day spa and salon.
"We're pleased to bring two hotels to the well-traveled outskirts of the New York City metro area," said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Franchise Development, the Americas, IHG. "Through our Interpret Indigo program, each hotel will provide the same high level of personal service found at all of our properties, while offering guests a creative design experience based on unique interpretations of our brand hallmarks."
The properties in Basking Ridge and Rahway are perfect embodiments of the brand's Interpret IndigoTM concept, which emphasizes creative design interpretation of the Hotel Indigo brand concept to suit a property's local market. Designed in distinctive Colonial style architecture, the Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge delights guests with vibrant colors and a distinctly contemporary feel upon entering the spacious lobby which flows into the Phi Bar and Restaurant overlooking a preserved wetland. At the Hotel Indigo Rahway, the bright colors utilized in each room were specifically chosen to rejuvenate the senses, from the earth washed furniture to the nature-inspired hues of the walls and bedding.
"We're so excited to bring this new boutique hotel concept to the Basking Ridge market," said Sujal Mehta, CEO, New Generation Hospitality. "This independent hotel has long been the center of the corporate and social markets in our area. By pairing the property with the new Hotel Indigo brand and the international power of IHG, the property will provide our guests with a greatly enhanced level of service and quality."
The Hotel Indigo features signature design elements including oversized lobby chairs, which create a personal work or dining space within the public areas of the hotel; cozy, airy and inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring and spa-inspired showers; and a "Phi"tness Studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotel also offers a 24-hour business center; 2,250 square feet of meeting space for business functions or special events; and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel.
Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge will feature gourmet health-conscious fare prepared quickly for the time-conscious traveler. The Golden Bean will showcase Hotel Indigo's refreshingly unique approach to breakfast serving traditional morning favorites with a twist and Starbucks Coffee. With an emphasis on ever-changing seasonal ingredients, Phi will offer both tempting starters and entrees in the evening. The evening menu includes fresh salads, pizzettas, Panini sandwiches, and other trend forward entrees. Guests can dine in casual elegance within the intimate restaurant, while relaxing in one of the hotel's oversized lobby chairs or in their room.
Boutique hotels, known for their intimate, luxurious environments in addition to personalized accommodations and services, have gained increasing popularity throughout North America. Hotel Indigo is known as the industry's first branded boutique hotel, artfully combining the conveniences and consistencies of a brand hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique at an attractive price. The soul of the brand's retail-inspired concept is renewal - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh, similar to the way retailers change their window displays. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. The hotel features renewable elements such as vivid nature-inspired murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora and murals.
The Hotel Indigo is owned by New Generation Hospitality, and managed by New Generation Hotel Management, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.
The Hotel Indigo brand is quickly expanding throughout North America, with 18 locations open and more than 60 under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. The first Hotel Indigo opened in Atlanta in October 2004, followed by Hotel Indigo Chicago Gold Coast; Chicago Schaumburg North; Houston at the Galleria; Hotel Indigo Dallas; Ottawa Downtown City Centre, Canada; Hotel Indigo Scottsdale, Ariz.; Hotel Indigo Sarasota, Fla; Hotel Indigo Buffalo-Amherst, N.Y.; Hotel Indigo Nashville West End; Hotel Indigo Mérida Hacienda Misné, Mexico; Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton Riverside; Hotel Indigo Columbus Downtown, Ind.; Hotel Indigo Fishers-Indy's Uptown; Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills; Hotel Indigo Ontario Rancho Cucamonga; Hotel Indigo Skyview Rahway, N.J.; and Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge, N.J. Future sites of Hotel Indigo hotels include Miami, Fl.; St. Louis, Mo.; London, England; San Antonio, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and New York, N.Y. For more information on Hotel Indigo, or to make reservations, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com/.
Hotel Indigo participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has more than 37 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 almost 4,000 hotels worldwide.
About Hotel Indigo
The newest member of the IHG family, Hotel Indigo is the industry's first branded boutique hotel experience. It is uniquely designed to appeal to guests who desire affordable luxury, personal service and an alternative to traditional hotels without sacrificing any of the businesses amenities they have come to expect. Renewal is the soul of Hotel Indigo's retail-inspired design concept - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh. Guestrooms feature signature murals, area rugs, fluffy duvets and slipcovers that will change periodically, while public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing aromas, music, artwork, murals and directional signage. From relaxed café dining to high-style rooms - Hotel Indigo creates an intriguing, warm and inviting environment for guests. For more information on Hotel Indigo, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com/.
Media Contacts:
Natasha Gullett, Hotel Indigo, [email protected], 770-604-5597
Caroline Sanfilippo, Hotel Indigo, [email protected], 770-604-2495
Notes to Editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world’s largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 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 37 million members worldwide.
IHG pioneered the travel industry’s first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG’s global corporate responsibility focus. IHG is the first major hotel group to have measured the environmental and carbon footprints of hotels that operate under our brands globally and is in the process of setting reduction targets.
With more than 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG needs to recruit around 150,000 people over the next few years to meet its global expansion plans.
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