THG Opens Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown

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. August 31, 2009

AUGUST 31, 2009 - The Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown celebrated the completion of a more than $13-million renovation and rebranding yesterday with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony held at the property, located at 1301 Wyandotte St. The Hotel Group (THG) of Seattle, Wash., Management Company for the property, and a host of local dignitaries were present at the milestone event. Immediately following, a blazing hot "Summer in the City" gala was held to introduce more than 500 local businesses and politicians to the new 28-story, 385-room hotel with Starbucks.

"The revitalization of downtown Kansas City is very exciting and we are thrilled to be part of its renaissance by renovating and reflagging the former landmark Radisson Hotel & Suites to Crowne Plaza and introducing it to the burgeoning central-business district," said Douglas Dreher, President and CEO of The Hotel Group. "Crowne Plaza is a dynamic hotel brand offering premium accommodations for discerning business and leisure travelers who appreciate simplified elegance. As the Kansas City Power & Light District continues to turn into a 24-hour-a-day entertainment destination, we believe this new Crowne Plaza brings great value to this market as a place to meet and greet, connect to the Internet, get a great cup of coffee at our Starbucks and enjoy an even better night's sleep."

Richard Hughes, President and CEO of the Kansas City Convention & Visitor's Assn., concurred as he addressed the celebratory guests.

"We know that that [the Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown] is going to be a big hit with leisure guests and convention delegates," Hughes said. "The hotel is situated in the heart of all activities generated by the Convention Center and the new Power & Light District. The improvements made by The Hotel Group to the property represent a dramatic change -- they did it right. Crowne Plaza provides the perfect niche for downtown Kansas City, and we are delighted to be here today to celebrate its official opening."

General Manager Matt Rutigliano said the marketing support received from the Crowne Plaza brand and the City of Kansas City, together with the physical improvements made by THG has positioned the property for immediate success. "In addition to the more than $13 million renovation investment THG has made to update the facility, public and private improvements to the area adjacent to the hotel will exceed $4.5 billion and will include an eight-block entertainment district," he said. "The new state-of-the-art Sprint Center sport and entertainment complex, The College Basketball Experience, new National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial, and the nationally acclaimed Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art all are major contributions to making Kansas City a dynamic travel destination, and we are delighted to be a part of it."

"We encourage all Kansas City visitors, meeting planners, local businesses and residents to come and see what this new Crowne Plaza Downtown has to offer," said Lara Latture, THG EVP. "The multi-million dollar transformation and addition of the area's newest Starbucks will surely stimulate everyone who walks through our doors. It's the perfect complement to this budding area and we encourage everyone to come and see what the buzz is all about."

The hotel features the Crowne Plaza 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, nightlights, drape clips and amenities such as eye masks, earplugs and lavender spray.

Each of the 385 guestrooms (of which 99 are two-room suites) are equipped with free high-speed Internet access and spacious work desks. In addition, the hotel features 13,000 square feet of meeting space (including nine function rooms), a business center and ballroom on the 28th floor. Located off the hotel's main lobby is the full-service City Grille restaurant and City Bar lobby lounge. In addition, the Crowne Plaza features Starbucks that is open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Dedicated Starbucks parking is FREE for up to 30-minutes. The hotel also boasts an outdoor seasonal pool and fitness center.