Make yourself at home, IHG tells Liverpool

Liverpool is booming. Not only is it enjoying its time in the international spotlight as the European Capital of Culture but from this summer it will also be home to the UK's first upscale extended-stay hotel, Staybridge Suites.

Due to open on 19 June 2008 on the Kings Waterfront development, Staybridge Suites - owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) - aims to combine the best of home and hotel.

Speaking of the extended-stay concept, John Wagner, Vice President of Staybridge Suites EMEA, explained: "People are increasingly looking to feel more at home and live life their own way when travelling.  After all, once the novelty of elaborate meal options wears off, it's often the simple things - such as the ability to stay in, watch TV and eat beans on toast, just like they would be doing at home - that we know travellers crave.

"Liverpool has been very much in the spotlight this year and, with further high profile events due to be hosted in the city over the coming months, it is a fitting destination for us to introduce our very first Staybridge Suites outside the Americas."

The hotel's flexible approach and blend of the domestic environment with traditional hotel services is expected to bridge the gap between conventional hotels and serviced apartments.  As such, Staybridge Suites will appeal to a wide range of travel needs, from those in town on business or looking for a ‘home from home' experience while on holiday to those relocating to the area or even seeking temporary housing during household renovations.

The 132 stylish one-bedroom and studio suites feature a fully-equipped kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals, state-of-the-art entertainment and communications, including free WiFi, and more space compared to conventional hotel rooms, making it a winner with business travellers and families alike.

At Staybridge's heart is the hub kitchen, where breakfast is served every morning.  This is also the venue for the signature after-work receptions, held four nights a week, when guests are served complimentary drinks and nibbles and have a chance to relax while meeting their neighbours.  Adding to its cosy appeal is the living room, complete with open fire, plus an outdoor terrace with a barbecue.  Other added comforts include an exercise room, guest laundry room and the convenience of its own 24/7 deli-style pantry.

With stunning views across Liverpool's constantly changing skyline and a prime location in the heart of the city, the hotel offers value-for-money against the local high-end accommodation offerings.  Its four-tier rate structure ensures that guests can benefit further from discounted rates the longer they stay.

Prices for a studio suite at Staybridge Suites Liverpool start from £79 per room per night (incl. VAT), on a B&B basis based on a tier four (29 nights+ stay) or £135 based on tier one (1-4 nights).  Prices for a one-bed suite start from £95 (tier four) and £175 (tier one).
 
The brand will be expanding across the UK over the coming year, with additional properties being developed in Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Newcastle.

For more information or to book a stay at Staybridge Suites, visit www.staybridge.co.uk or call 0800 988 4663.

For further information please contact:

Suzanne Seyghal
PR Manager EMEA
Tel:  01753 410 247
Email:  [email protected]

Jade Adnett
Communications Executive EMEA
Tel: 01753 410 259
Email: [email protected]

NB: Pictures of the Staybridge Suites room concept available upon request.

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