Holiday Inn Express Breaks Ground for Quebec's First LEED-Certified Hotel

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Saint-Hyacinthe will feature several key amenities that create a gree

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. August 10, 2009

AUGUST 10, 2009 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG] 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.

'With Canadians growing more and more eco-conscious, Holiday Inn Express is excited to offer the first LEED-certified hotel in Quebec,' said Gopal Rao, Regional Vice President, IHG Canada. 'Visitors will have the comfort in knowing the hotel is environmentally-friendly combined with the quality of customer service that is consistent across the Holiday Inn Express brand.'

Standard Holiday Inn Express hotel guest rooms feature comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair and an in-room coffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100% Arabica coffee. Business travellers will find large desks, ergonomic chairs, free high-speed internet access, free local and toll free phone calls (U.S. and Canada only) and phones with private voicemail. The Saint-Hyacinthe property offers a variety of additional amenities including 32' LCD TVs in all guestrooms, a 24-hour business centre, an indoor heated pool, more than 1,500 square feet of meeting space and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with an LCD flat panel TV. The hotel also offers 32 King Business Class Suites, providing a relaxing and pampering oasis with a king bed, living room and work desk with padded chair.

'We are proud to open Quebec's first LEED certified hotel in Saint-Hyacinthe,' said Nellie Robin, Groupe Robin, developers of Holiday Inn Express and Suites Saint-Hyacinthe. 'This hotel is a continuation of Holiday Inn Express' commitment to build affordable, desirable accommodations that reflect our guests needs and respect the environment.'