The Big Apple's Newest Attraction: An 18-Hole Golf Course in Times Square

Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan Tees Up a One-of-a-Kind, Iconic Hotel Amenity Complete with Unparalleled Views of the Bustling Metropolis

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2008) - An estimated 50 million visitors will flock to New York City this year to bask in its unrivaled sights, sounds, culture and entertainment.  However, travelers looking to brush up on their golf game will be hard-pressed to find the opportunity in the Big Apple - the world's biggest little island filled with out-of-town over achievers has never had a golf course to speak of.  Until now.  The "new" Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan, revitalized from an $85 million renaissance, has unveiled eighteen lavish rooms fitted with custom, built-in putting greens.

Guests can perfect their short game with the hotel's state-of-the-art Odyssey putters and take home exclusive Callaway® golf balls after enjoying a deluxe "golf breakfast" delivered to their room.  In addition, guests who take advantage of these rooms now though January 31, 2009 will also receive a certificate for a round of golf on America's ultimate golf destination: Hilton Head Island. Certificates will be mailed to the guest approximately 30 days after their stay at the Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan. To reserve, call the hotel direct at 212-315-6004 or book online at www.manhattan.crowneplaza.com

Attending the Flagship: a Wee Bit of the Times Square Links

The 46-story Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan - located on Broadway between 48^th and 49^th streets - recently completed a monumental $85 million reinvention. The 770-room property features amenities considered rare in New York City - but in demand by world travelers - including the area's first Butler Floor and one of the largest indoor hotel swimming pools in the city. And, to top if off, a Scotch Sommelier oversees the chic Broadway 49 Bar, which promises to be the perfect "19th hole" location. The Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan is managed by InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. on behalf of Times Square JV LLC and its subsidiary City Investment Fund.

Of Crowne Plaza's more than 300 properties located in nearly 60 countries around the world, the Crowne Plaza Times Square-Manhattan is truly the flagship of the business travel brand and committed to golf.  Realizing that more business is conducted on the golf course than anywhere else, the brand implemented a comprehensive golf marketing platform.  The cornerstone of the platform is six-year title sponsorship of the PGA TOUR event - the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Crowne Plaza is the first hotel brand in history to title sponsor a PGA TOUR golf tournament. For reservations, visit www.manhattan.crowneplaza.com or call 1-800-2CROWNE.

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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.

PRESS CONTACTS:  

Monica Smith, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, 770-604-5562, [email protected]

Letal Greenberg, Weber Shandwick, 212-445-8108, [email protected]                           

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