Hotel Indigo Opens in Asheville, N.C.

Boutique hotel showcases local art and outdoor scene of downtown Asheville

ATLANTA - The newest Hotel Indigo opened its doors today in downtown Asheville, N.C. Nestled near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 100-room new-build boutique hotel is the second of five properties planned for the state; additional deals are signed in Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.

Located at 151 Haywood Street, Hotel Indigo Asheville is within walking distance of locally owned-shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues. Nearby attractions include Historic Downtown Asheville, Biltmore Estates, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“Asheville’s historic and architecturally diverse downtown has been beautifully preserved and is a perfect location for Hotel Indigo,” said Barbara Kulweic, general manager of the Hotel Indigo Asheville. “Through the brand’s interpret indigo design platform, we’ve been able to truly embrace the neighborhood by incorporating the work of local artists and vendors into every corner of the hotel.”

Working with a talented team of local artists, photographers and designers, Hotel Indigo Asheville has captured the essence of the Asheville region by using locally-inspired artwork and regionally-sourced materials throughout the hotel. For example, the lobby features a Gabion wall stacked using native stones of various shapes and sizes, and locally-inspired photographic murals of outdoor scenes taken by Asheville artist Zen Southerland are featured in the hotel lobby and guest rooms. This small, yet urban town encompassed by the Blue Ridge Mountains is reflected in the hotel design with a juxtaposition of urban concrete and steel versus the warmth of materials, texture and colors found in nature. The hotel aesthetic is light and open, featuring glass tiles, stained concrete, quartz-like countertops, decorative pendants, and large graphic wall coverings.

The Hotel Indigo Asheville is owned and managed by Hospitality and Lodging Investors II, LP, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Meeting the desires of today’s traveler, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community. From the locally-inspired murals to the renewal program where the images, music, scent, and menu items change throughout the year, Hotel Indigo gives guests a vibrant, engaging and genuine boutique experience.

“With the fall foliage season upon us and the holiday season ahead, we are thrilled to be able to offer guests a memorable and engaging experience that’s reflective of the downtown Asheville neighbourhood,” said Mary Dogan, director, Brand Delivery, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. “Keeping the guest in mind at all touch-points within the hotel experience, the Hotel Indigo model strikes a great balance by providing guests the refreshing design and intimate service synonymous with a boutique along with the consistency, reliability, and accessibility of a branded hotel.”

The Hotel Indigo Asheville features inviting guest rooms with oversized beds, plush bedding, hard-surface flooring for a fresh residential feel, and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products. Each guest room includes a 32-inch high-definition flat screen TV with 150 channels and iHome/MP3 alarm clock radio. The hotel also offers gourmet menu items and a full service-bar at Phi Bar and Bistro, complimentary parking, complimentary wired and wireless high speed internet access, a 24-hour business center and meeting space for business functions or special events. The hotel also features a pet-friendly policy.

With the addition of Hotel Indigo Asheville, there are 34 Hotel Indigo properties open worldwide and more than 60 hotels under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. By the end of 2009, Hotel Indigo is forecasted to almost double its footprint in the Americas. The brand’s global roll-out is also going strong with the recent announcements of new deals in Liverpool, England, Glasgow, Scotland and Hong Kong.

Hotel Indigo participates in IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. With 44 million members worldwide, Priority Club Rewards is the industry’s first and largest guest loyalty program. Guests can enroll for free by logging on at priorityclub.com, by 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.