Holiday Inn Express and Suites Opens in Largo
100th Holiday Inn Express to open this year
JULY 9, 2009 - (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that the Holiday Inn Express(R) and Suites Largo-Clearwater opened on June 4, as the 100th Holiday Inn Express to open this year under the new sign. The hotel brings 95 guest rooms and 35 job opportunities to downtown Largo, Fla.
"We're excited to reach this milestone of opening the 100th Holiday Inn Express hotel this year as we move forward with the biggest relaunch in hospitality history," said John Merkin, senior vice president, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brands, The Americas. "With more than 1,000 new Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels in our development pipeline, the Holiday Inn Express portfolio continues to expand in key markets like Largo, providing our guests with an enhanced stay experience at a great value. We welcome this hotel into the Holiday Inn family with the brand new sign and everything it represents."
Located at 210 Seminole Blvd. in downtown Largo, the five-story hotel offers amenities including an outdoor pool, a complimentary 24-hour fitness center, and 1,200 square feet of meeting space for business functions or special events. The hotel also welcomes pets and has been built according to Florida's Green Lodging Certification requirements.
The new sign outside the property marks the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program. First announced in 2007, the relaunch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image as part of the drive to increase quality and drive consistency across the global portfolio. The program focuses on arrival and welcome, guestroom and guest bath comfort. The global estate of more than 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010.
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 
