15 September 2008
IHG Announces Opening of First of Three Hotel Indigo Properties in Miami
First opens in upscale Kendall area, to be followed by Miami Lakes and South Beach
ATLANTA (September 15, 2008) - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announces the opening of the new Hotel Indigo Miami Dadeland. The former Ramada Limited property, located in the upscale Kendall area, is Miami's first Hotel Indigo.
Located in the heart of the downtown Dadeland business center and within walking distance to the prestigious Dadeland Mall, the 122-room Hotel Indigo is only 10 miles from the Miami International Airport. Other nearby attractions include the Miami Metrozoo, Sunset Place and the University of Miami. The hotel is also within close proximity to several businesses including AT&T, Fortis and Panasonic.
"We're excited to bring Hotel Indigo to Miami, a city known for embracing the individuality of the boutique hotel concept," said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Franchise Development, the Americas, IHG. "We have another two Hotel Indigo properties in the pipeline planned for Miami, in Miami Lakes and South Beach, and we're looking forward to the opportunity to provide our unique blend of branded-hotel consistencies with the design and service personality of a boutique."
In addition to the Dadeland property, two more Hotel Indigo properties are coming to Miami this fall. An 86-room conversion of the Don Shula Golf Club will open in Miami Lakes. In South Beach, a 135-room new-build property will open in the heart of the neighborhood, just two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Hotel Indigo Miami Dadeland incorporates causal and lively interiors, providing a relaxing and refreshing getaway with an engaging atmosphere. The natural organic patterns and textures throughout the hotel's décor provide guests with a sense of peaceful rejuvenation. Shades of avocado green, tangerine, linen white and ocean blue soothe and inspire the guest's experience. The interior design firm of Dwellings, Inc., gained inspiration for the color palette from the natural ambiance of Miami, reinforcing the guest's connection with their beautiful surroundings. Graphic murals depict the Miami ocean life and encourage guests to stop...take a second look...and relax.
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; more then 300 square feet of meeting space for business functions or special events; and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel.
The hotel will offer guests the dining options they want, featuring casual gourmet 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 six-story property is owned by Rodblu Investment Fund I and managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC, currently owns an equity interest and manages the Hotel Indigo Houston at the Galleria and manages the Hotel Indigo Scottsdale.
"With the growing popularity of South Florida as both a leisure and business hub, we look to provide travelers with the best in quality, service and comfort through a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes them feel at home," said Carlos Rodriguez, executive vice president of Driftwood Hospitality Management, who supervised the hotel's multi-million dollar conversion.
The Hotel Indigo brand is quickly expanding throughout North America, with 19 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.; Hotel Indigo Basking Ridge, N.J.; and Hotel Indigo Miami Dadeland. 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 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.
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/.
About Driftwood Hospitality Management LLC
Driftwood Hospitality Management LLC, based in North Palm Beach, Florida, is one of the fastest growing independent hospitality management and development firms in the country today. Established in January 1999 by David Buddemeyer, Driftwood or its affiliates owns and/or manages more than 40 hotels comprising approximately 8,833 rooms throughout the U.S., the Bahamas and Central America. The company manages a variety of lodging types, from destination resorts to downtown convention hotels to suburban hotels and inns. Many of the company's hotels are affiliated with nationally recognized hospitality franchises, including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Doubletree, Radisson, Sheraton, Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott and Hotel Indigo. For more information, see http://www.driftwoodhospitality.com/
Media Contacts:
Caroline Sanfilippo, Hotel Indigo, [email protected], 770-604-2495
Caroline Counihan, Hotel Indigo, [email protected], 770-604-2090
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