IHG & Roberts Hotels Group Announce Two Hotel Indigo Developments for St. Louis

outique hotels to move into St. Louis’ chic Central West End and Downtown

ATLANTA.- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, announces today plans for two Hotel Indigo developments in St. Louis, Mo. (USA); in the Central West End and downtown. Both properties are being developed by Roberts Hotels Group, and will be managed by Roberts Hotels Management, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

The Roberts Hotels Group is a subsidiary of the Roberts Companies, owned by Michael and Steven Roberts, two brothers ranked among the country’s most successful African-American businessmen. “St. Louis is ripe for the Indigo Hotel brand,” said Michael Roberts. “It’s the hotel of the future - cool, hip and stylish,” he stated when announcing this venture.

The 120-room property at the east end of Forest Park in the city’s upscale Central West End will be a conversion from the independently owned Inn at the Park and is scheduled to open in October 2007. Renovations on the three-story building, originally built in 1956, will commence this month.

“As the ‘The Gateway to the West’, St. Louis is a vibrant, internationally renowned city with a distinctive culture which makes it popular as both a business and leisure destination,” said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Brand Development, the Americas, IHG. “We are proud to introduce this exciting branded boutique concept to St. Louis in both the Central West End and downtown communities and we’re thrilled to work with the Roberts Hotels Group on two exciting projects.”

The second development is located in the downtown St. Louis convention district. The property will be a mixed-use development with retail, condominiums and the Hotel Indigo. Construction will begin third quarter of 2007 and an opening is planned for spring 2008.

“We look forward to introducing our hometown of St. Louis to the Hotel Indigo brand,” said Steve Roberts. “We know our Hotel Indigo properties will be most appealing to the discriminating travelers who visit St. Louis.”

Hotel Indigo artfully combines the conveniences and consistencies of a brand hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique. The soul of the brand’s retail-inspired concept is renewal - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. Both St. Louis properties will feature renewable elements such as vivid murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora, murals and directional signage.

The new hotels will feature signature design elements including oversized lobby chairs, which create a personal work or dining space within the public areas of the hotel; cozy, airy and inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring and spa-style showers; a Phitness studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotels will also offer high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms and wireless in the hotel’s public areas, as well as meeting rooms for business functions or special events.

Both Hotel Indigo properties in St. Louis will offer guests the dining options they want, featuring casual gourmet fare prepared quickly for the time-conscious traveler. The Golden Bean will showcase Hotel Indigo’s refreshingly unique approach to breakfast serving traditional morning favorites with a twist and Starbucks Coffee. With an emphasis on ever-changing seasonal ingredients, Phi will offer both tempting starters and entrees in the evening. The evening menu includes fresh salads, pizzettas, Panini sandwiches, and other trend forward entrees. Guests can dine in casual elegance within the intimate restaurant, while relaxing in one of the hotel’s oversized lobby chairs or in their room.

The Hotel Indigo brand is quickly expanding throughout North America, with eight locations open and 45 in the pipeline. The first Hotel Indigo opened in Atlanta in October 2004, followed by Hotel Indigo Chicago Gold Coast; Chicago Schaumburg North; Houston at the Galleria; Hotel Indigo Dallas; Ottawa Downtown City Centre, Canada; Hotel Indigo Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Hotel Indigo Sarasota, Fla. Future sites of Hotel Indigo hotels include Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn.; and Columbus, Ind. For more information on Hotel Indigo, or to make reservations, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com/.