Crowne Plaza Announces First Property in Arkansas
Multi-million dollar conversion planned for West Little Rock
MAY 23, 2007. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced plans for a $12 million conversion to a 243-room Crowne Plaza hotel in Little Rock, Ark. (USA), this summer. The five-story property, built in 1986 and serving previously as a Holiday Inn Select, is owned and operated by Goff and Associates of Little Rock, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. The Crowne Plaza Little Rock will be the first Crowne Plaza hotel for Arkansas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Crowne Plaza Little Rock to our portfolio," said Kevin Kowalski, vice president, Brand Management, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, North America. "Changes in the Little Rock market have created the demand for upscale assets for its many business travelers, and we are confident they'll both enjoy and appreciate our industry-leading meetings services and Sleep Advantage(R) program."
The Crowne Plaza Little Rock will offer top-notch facilities and services, including 7,500 sq.-ft. of meeting and banquet space; a restaurant and lounge; both indoor and outdoor swimming pools; 32" LCD televisions and cordless phones in every guest room; and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Easily accessible at the intersections of I-430 and I-630 and just seven miles from downtown, the property is located in the heart of the business community. Nearby, guests will find the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, the Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Auditorium and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Upon renovation, the Crowne Plaza Little Rock will feature the brand's Sleep Advantage program which is 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 new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender bedding spray.
Also consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel will offer a comprehensive meetings package 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 Meetings Daily Debrief. All meeting rooms and all guest rooms at the Crowne Plaza Little Rock will feature complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts participates in Priority Club Rewards. With more than 31 million members, Priority Club(R) Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Winner of the 18th Annual Freddie Awards hotel loyalty "Program of the Year" and named "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World" by Global Traveler magazine, Priority Club Rewards offers more sought-after benefits and the greatest ease of use of any hotel loyalty program.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
