04 February 2010

Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Opens in Time for "The Big Game"

New hotel provides access to airport, cruise port, and close proximity to Miami

ATLANTA - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced that the Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise has opened within close proximity of a number of Florida attractions, including this year's "Big Game" in Sun Life Stadium.  The property is the third Crowne Plaza to open this year for IHG.

"We are excited to open just before "The Big Game", giving fans an opportunity to take part in everything that will be taking place in Miami and at the same time, the opportunity to experience Crowne Plaza's upscale guest experience," said Jay Patel, President, FLL Hotels, Inc. 

Located at 455 State Road 84, the hotel is one half mile from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and near several leisure and business destinations, including the Port Everglades Cruise Center, the Downtown Government Center and the 600,000 square foot Broward County Convention Center.

"In addition to giving fans access to "The Big Game," this hotel offers exceptional meeting and banquet space to cater to guests visiting the property for small- to medium-sized events," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG. "The location of the hotel is convenient for business travelers arriving at the airport as well as leisure guests visiting Ft. Lauderdale attractions like the Cruise Port and the beaches."

Crowne Plaza has a comprehensive meetings program 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 Daily Meetings Debrief.  The hotel has more than 6000 square feet of flexible, upscale meeting space.  

The Crowne Plaza Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise has 150 guestrooms each complete with a  42"flat-screen TV, iHome docking station, rain showerhead, and granite countertops.  Guests have access to a variety of amenities including complimentary HSIA, wi-fi in the guestrooms and public spaces, outdoor pool located on the 5th floor, fitness center, business center and in-room dining services.

Consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage®, 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 signature bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.

The property is owned by FLL Hotels Inc. and managed by Luckey's Management, Inc., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards.  The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has 47 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 nearly 4,400 hotels worldwide.

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. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit http://www.crowneplaza.com/ or call 1-800-2CROWNE.

Media Contacts:
Emily Brinkley, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], +1(770) 604-2037
Caroline Counihan, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], +1(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, nearly 4,400 hotels and over 640,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world.  The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 47 million members worldwide.

IHG has 1,500 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 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 program at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

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