Holiday Inn Express Breaks Ground on Quebec's First Leed-certified Hotel
AUGUST 7, 2009 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced that the company's first LEED-certified hotel in Canada hosted its groundbreaking ceremony on May 26, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. It was attended by local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Saint-Hyacinthe, Claude Bernier, who spoke about the positive economical impact the new property will have on the city. Also in attendance to the red-themed event were representatives of municipal, provincial and federal political structures, local entrepreneurs, business partners and future renters of the new 'M' Lifestyle Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Saint-Hyacinthe is expected to open in 2010 and will be the first hotel in Quebec built to meet the criteria of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for its sustainable practices.
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Saint-Hyacinthe will feature several key amenities that create a green environment, including a diligent recycling system, hybrid parking lots and showers for employees who cycle to work. Located 30 minutes outside of Montreal, the 94-room hotel will be a part of the new 'M' Lifestyle Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe. The Lifestyle Centre is designed to be the shopping destination for the entire surrounding region and will include restaurants, shopping, a public market, houses and apartments. The first stage of the Lifestyle Centre is slated to open in late 2009, with additions being incorporated over the next five years. The hotel will be easily accessible to visitors from any direction using Highway 20 and a short drive to tourist attractions such as the Congress Centre and various festivals that take place throughout the year.
The new-build property will also showcase the Holiday Inn Express brand's new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn(R) brand relaunch programme. First announced in 2007, the relaunch programme was established to create a more contemporary brand image as part of the drive to increase quality and consistency across the global portfolio. The program focuses on arrival and welcome services, 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.
Elements of the relaunch for Holiday Inn Express include:
Redesigned Brand Signage
An evolution of the iconic script logo, energizing the signature color green and eliminating the current shield shape for a more refreshed and contemporary look.
Warm Welcome
A new signature arrival - including new lighting, landscaping and design features - that creates an energized and branded sense of welcome that is universally recognizable. Customized music and scent selections also engage guests in a complete sensory experience, and a decluttered front desk to promote a more efficient and interactive check-in process.
New Service Promise
A best-in-class service culture - "Stay Real" - to further ensure the team develops the behaviors and skills to best serve guests so they feel like individuals and not numbers. Genuine people delivering real service. Leading the charge will be a newly created position at each hotel - the Guest Experience Champion.
Guests at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Saint-Hyacinthe will experience a comfortable and smart environment with innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a productive stay while travelling for business or leisure. The hotel's newly enhanced complimentary Express Start(R) breakfast bar will feature a full selection of hot breakfast bar items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage patties and omelettes, and Smart Roast(R) coffee. The SimplySmartTM shower incorporates a proprietary Stay SmartTM Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod, upgraded 100 per cent cotton terry towels and a custom line of cinnamon-scented bath products. Guests will also enjoy the SimplySmartTM bedding collection where they will find new crisp fresh bedding which features an attractive decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft 200 thread-count sheets.
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 
