Holiday Inn Express Opens in Alberta
OCTOBER 9, 2009 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that Edmonton's newest Holiday Inn Express hotel will open on October 15, 2009. The new-build property will 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 program.
The Holiday Inn brand relaunch is the largest in the history of the hospitality industry, with more than 3,300 hotels around the world being updated - improving quality and driving consistency at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world. The global estate is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010, and more than 1,200 hotels have been already been relaunched to date.
The relaunch focuses on the things research shows matter most to guests - a modern, contemporary hotel with efficient, friendly service and a great night's sleep. Relaunched hotels such as the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Edmonton South feature:
oUpgraded and decluttered lobby areas
oA Holiday Inn Express signature scent and sound
oNew exterior lighting and landscaping
oNew signage with the redesigned logo
oAll Holiday Inn employees also go through an extensive "Stay Real" training program to ensure guests receive the level of service they expect.
The 191-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Edmonton South is located in a suburban area near the South Common Shopping Centre, IKEA and Wal-mart. The property is within a short driving distance of several local businesses and institutions including the University of Alberta and downtown Edmonton, making the hotel a convenient option for both business and leisure travellers alike.
Guests at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Edmonton South 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 rotation of various breakfast items including eggs, breakfast sausage and bacon, biscuits, yogurts, fruit and the brand's proprietary cinnamon roll and Smart Roast(R) coffee. The SimplySmartTM shower incorporates a proprietary Stay SmartTM Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod, upgraded 100 percent 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.
"Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travellers," said Gina LaBarre, senior vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG. "With more than 2,000 properties worldwide and more than 600 properties in the pipeline, the Holiday Inn Express portfolio continues to expand into markets like Edmonton, 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."
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 and phones with private voicemail. The new Edmonton property offers a variety of additional amenities including 37" LCD TVs in all guestrooms, a 24-hour business centre, an indoor heated pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with an LCD flat panel TV. The hotel also offers 52 King Business Class Suites, providing a relaxing and pampering oasis with a king bed and living room with sleeper sofa.
"Holiday Inn Express hotels are fresh, clean and convenient for travellers," said Diana Gonzalez, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Edmonton South. "We invested in this property with the goal of providing a comfortable atmosphere, while offering the tools our guests need to ensure a productive stay, and we're pleased with the end result."
Holiday Inn Express hotels participate in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club(R) Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has 44 million members. Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on www.priorityclub.com, calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's more than 4,300 hotels worldwide.
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 
