29 January 2008
IHG Announces Crowne Plaza Opening in Memphis, Tenn.
230-room conversion property opens in heart of downtown Memphis
ATLANTA (Jan. 29, 2008) - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, announced today that the 230-room Crowne Plaza Memphis (US) will open within a month following a multi-million dollar renovation and conversion from a Wyndham Garden Hotel.
The 11-story hotel is conveniently located in downtown Memphis, within walking distance to Memphis Cook Convention Center. Also within close proximity are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, AutoZone corporate headquarters, the FedEx Forum and the Beale Street Entertainment District.
"Memphis is home to a diverse range of industries, from real estate to banking to science and technology," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Management, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, the Americas. "The current market demand supports an upscale hotel like Crowne Plaza that can provide a comprehensive meetings package to the many business travelers in the area."
The hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program, which is available at all Crowne Plaza hotels in the Americas. Sleep Advantage encompasses the entire sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.
Also consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel offers a comprehensive meetings package to ensure a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Meetings Daily Debrief. The hotel offers five meeting rooms with more than 5,000 sq.-ft. of meeting space.
The Crowne Plaza Memphis offers two junior suites and one presidential suite with mini wet bar, living and dining areas, and added amenities. The hotel provides complimentary wired high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms, as well as wireless Internet access in meeting rooms and public spaces. River City Café serves American casual fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and business center.
The hotel is owned by Genwood Memphis I, LLC, and managed by Driftwood Hospitality, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts participates in Priority Club Rewards. With more than 37 million members, Priority Club® Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Winner of the 19th Annual Freddie Awards hotel loyalty "Program of the Year" and named "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World" three years running by Global Traveler magazine, Priority Club Rewards offers more sought-after benefits and the greatest ease of use of any hotel loyalty program.
Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG's 3,800 hotels worldwide.
Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top growing brands. As part of the InterContinental Hotels Group global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has nearly 300 hotels in 51 countries, and are located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit http://www.crowneplaza.com/ or call 1-800-2CROWNE.
Contact:
Natasha Gullett, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], 770.604.5597
Caroline Sanfilippo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], 770.604.2495
Notes to Editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [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, over 3,800 hotels and more than 571,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG 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.
The company pioneered the travel industry’s first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG’s global corporate responsibility focus.
IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at http://www.ihg.com/ and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at http://www.priorityclub.com/.
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