17 February 2010

Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort Opens

Hotel Latest to Open on Disney Property

ORLANDO, Fla. - Holiday Inn, the most widely recognized and family-friendly hotel brand in the world, will open on Disney property today.  The 14-story, 323-room hotel, located on Orlando's Hotel Plaza Boulevard, is the latest property as part of the $1 billion global relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand.

The property signage is the clearest signal that the brand has completed significant changes inside and out.  The brand's makeover of its iconic logo is the first indicator to guests that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn global brand relaunch program, and more than 1,800 hotels have already been relaunched globally. The Holiday Inn brand relaunch is the largest in the history of the hospitality industry, with more than 3,300 hotels being updated - improving quality and driving consistency at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world.

"There is no more exhilarating feeling than opening a family-friendly Holiday Inn resort, on Disney property and hiring more than 100 employees to welcome our community and guests," said Tony Johnson, regional vice president of operations and general manager of the 323-room hotel.  "Our opening could not come at a better time, with a brand that customers know and trust.  Being on Disney property and maintaining high standards will assure we achieve the highest marks possible from our customers and our industry," said Johnson.

Holiday Inn in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort maximizes its location on Disney property, offering a host of privileges, such as complimentary transportation running every 30 minutes to all the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Parks, guaranteed access and preferred tee times at  WALT DISNEY WORLD® golf courses, advance reservations at WALT DISNEY WORLD® restaurants, an on-site Disney retail store and free delivery service of Disney attraction purchases to the hotel.

The minute guests step into the glass-ceiling atrium of the Holiday Inn in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, the citrus scent, harmonious sounds, lush foliage and floor-to-ceiling views of the zero-entry tropical pool will guarantee that guests are set to experience a new Holiday Inn.

MODERN GUESTROOMS DESIGNED FOR COMFORT

Relaxing and contemporary, guestrooms are designed with a soft color palette and outfitted with a 32" LCD HD television, crisp, white bedding with pillows that come in two comfort levels: "soft" and "firm," complimentary wireless and wired Internet access, Rainforest Alliance® certified coffee, an individual coffeemaker and an electronic safe that accommodates laptops up to 17".  Bathrooms include a specially designed showerhead that offers superior pressure, as well as a signature shower curtain with curved rod and new amenities.  Every double room features two queen beds, rather than two double beds, making it comfortable for a family of four to share one guestroom.  Each king room includes a sleeper sofa and a spacious walk-in shower.  Many guestrooms have balconies from which guests will enjoy views of the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort nightly firework shows.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING

The hotel's dining facility, Palm Breezes Restaurant, offers the Holiday Inn Best-4-Breakfast menu, featuring signature items such as Cinnamon Supreme French Toast and Skillet Inspirations.  Kids 12 and younger eat free at Holiday Inn when ordering from the kids' menu in the hotel restaurant and accompanied by a dining adult. Room Service Right...On Time, also a standard at all Holiday Inn hotels, ensures that guests' room service orders are accurate and delivered on time, every time.   

LOCATION AND AMENITIES

Along with the advantages inherent to being part of the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, recreational fun abounds on-site at the hotel, with a state-of-the-art fitness complex, a jogging and exercise path, a new zero-entry heated swimming and connected lap pool, an outdoor hot tub and sun deck, and a conveniently located game room situated between the main lobby and outdoor pool.

Holiday Inn in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is located at 1805 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Orlando, Fla., 32830, just eight miles from Orange County Convention Center and 19 miles from the Orlando International Airport. For more information, or reservations, please visit www.hiorlando.com or call 407-828-8888. The hotel is owned by CIG LBV, LLC, and will be managed by InterContinental Hotels Group, Inc., on behalf of CIG LBV, LLC.

About Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts

With more than 1,300 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is the most widely recognized lodging brand in the world.  In fact, Holiday Inn was one of the first international hotel brands to establish a presence in China in 1984. Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts provides the services that business travelers need, while also offering a comfortable atmosphere where all people can relax and enjoy amenities such as restaurants and room service, swimming pools, fitness centers and comfortable lounges.  The casual atmosphere and amenities such as meeting and on-site business facilities, KidSuites rooms and, Kids Eat and Stay Free programs, demonstrate the long-standing commitment of Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts to serving travelers and have helped to establish the brand as "America's Favorite Hotel."  For more information about Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, including IHG's new timeshare brand Holiday Inn Club Vacations, or to book reservations, call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit http://www.holidayinn.com/.

Media Contacts:

Beth Cocchiarella, Bennett & Company, [email protected], +1 (407) 467-7012
Laura Bennett, Bennett & Company, [email protected]
Emily Brinkley, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], +1 (770) 604-2037
Sarah-Ann Soffer, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, [email protected], +1 (770) 604-2707


Notes to Editors:

InterContinental 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 4,400 hotels and more than 645,000 guest rooms in over 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 48 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,400 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 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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