Newcrest Hotels Opens Two New IHG Properties

Franchisee expands their portfolio opening a Holiday Inn Express in Paris, Texas and one in Texarkana, Ark.

ATLANTA - Despite the challenging economy, Newcrest Hotels has pursued an aggressive growth strategy in the midscale hotel segment and has recently opened the latest additions to their portfolio - a Holiday Inn Express in Paris, Texas and a Holiday Inn Express in Texarkana, Ark. These latest hotel openings complement the five Holiday Inn brand family properties in Texas and Oklahoma currently in their ownership and management portfolio.

“The hotel projects we have with IHG provide us with brands that can deliver strong performances and are sound investments,” said Mehul “Mike” Patel, Co-Principal, Newcrest Hotels LTD. “We see a great opportunity in growing our portfolio with IHG, particularly with the relaunched Holiday Inn brand family.”

Newcrest Hotels is continuing their growth with IHG as the company has an additional four Holiday Inn Express hotels under development in Texas and Arkansas and two Candlewood Suites hotels under development in Texas. The company’s growth and success is what led them to be named IHG’s Developer of the Year in 2007.

“We are proud of Newcrest and the relationship we have cemented with them over the last ten years as they have continued to excel with strong leadership and a solid strategy,” said Jim Anhut, Chief Development Officer, the Americas, IHG. “With six more IHG properties under development, we look forward to continuing our long relationship with Newcrest.”

The 84-room Holiday Inn Express Paris, Texas and the 87-room Holiday Inn Express Texarkana, Ark. follow the relaunched brand image that was first announced in 2007 to drive increased quality and consistency across the brand portfolio. The program focuses on arrival and welcome services, as well as guestroom and guest bath comfort. The global estate of more than 3,300 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010.

The Holiday Inn Express Paris, Texas and the Holiday Inn Express Texarkana, Ark., are owned by affiliates of the Newcrest Group and managed by Newcrest Management, LLC, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.