Hotel Indigo bringing branded boutique hotel to Brooklyn

$60 million, 164-room facility to open in early 2010

ATLANTA. - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], one of the world’s largest hotel groups by number of rooms, today announced plans for a hotel in Brooklyn, N.Y. Expected to open in early 2010, the facility will be one of the first Hotel Indigo properties in the New York metropolitan area and is expected to help accommodate the lodging needs of a rapidly growing segment of business and leisure travelers to the area.

The 164-room hotel, which will feature high-end, amenity rich rooms, supplemented by more than 15,000 square feet of retail space, is one of the crown jewels in the booming building efforts underway in the Downtown Brooklyn area, which includes the New Fulton Mall and the Atlantic Yards projects, as well as a host of new construction and development in the residential, commercial and retail sectors.

The property is owned by V3 Hotels and will be managed by Graves World Hospitality, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

“The Hotel Indigo Brooklyn is a complement to our growing portfolio of hotels in the New York Metro area,” said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, brand management, Hotel Indigo. “The Hotel Indigo brand concept is designed to reflect the neighborhood in which it resides and we expect that the combination of our unique brand concept and rich characteristics of the Brooklyn neighborhood will make for a successful recipe. Commencing construction on our second Hotel Indigo in New York City alongside a dedicated ownership group like V3 hotels is a major milestone for the brand,” Anhut added.

Located steps away from the MetroTech center, the court buildings and the Manhattan Bridge, as well as being minutes from Manhattan by subway or bus, the Hotel Indigo is being designed by Karl Fischer. The design features a seamless blend of ergonomics and urbanity. Glass and light will be omnipresent throughout the structure.

Boutique hotels, known for their intimate, luxurious environments in addition to personalized accommodations and services, have gained increasing popularity throughout North America. Hotel Indigo is known as the industry’s first branded boutique hotel, artfully combining the conveniences and consistencies of a brand hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique at an affordable price. The soul of the brand’s retail-inspired concept is renewal - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh, similar to the way retailers change their window displays. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. The hotel will feature renewable elements such as vivid nature-inspired murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora and murals.

The hotel 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-inspired showers; a Phitness studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotel will also offer The Golden Bean, an on-site casual gourmet restaurant, and Phi Bar, offering tempting entrees and starters in the evening; a 24-hour business center, high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms and wireless in the hotel’s public areas, as well as meeting space for business functions or special events.

In keeping with the brand’s Interpret IndigoTM philosophy which emphasizes creative design interpretation of the Hotel Indigo concept to suit a property’s local market, the hotel will have two bar lounges which will include both indoor and much desired outdoor space. One lounge located on the rooftop of the hotel will feature sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline while allowing free and open spaces both inside and out.

As a complement to the Golden Bean and Phi restaurant concepts, the commercial space will also include a famed restaurant brand that will further exemplify the richly appointed location by complimenting it with sought after retail locations to eat, drink, and relax.


About Hotel Indigo®

The newest member of the IHG family, Hotel Indigo is the industry’s first branded boutique hotel experience. It is uniquely designed to appeal to guests who desire affordable luxury, personal service and an alternative to traditional hotels without sacrificing any of the businesses amenities they have come to expect. Renewal is the soul of Hotel Indigo’s retail-inspired design concept - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh. Guestrooms feature signature murals, area rugs, fluffy duvets and slipcovers that will change periodically, while public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing aromas, music, artwork, murals and directional signage. From relaxed café dining to high-style rooms - Hotel Indigo creates an intriguing, warm and inviting environment for guests.

The Hotel Indigo brand is quickly expanding throughout North America, with 11 locations open and more than 60 under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiations. For more information on Hotel Indigo, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com

Hotel Indigo participates in Priority Club Rewards. With more than 37 million members, Priority Club® Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG’s more than 3,800 hotels worldwide.


About V3 Hotels

V3 Hotels is a hospitality company that specializes in the acquisition, development, ownership, and operation of hotel properties in major metropolitan cities and resort markets in the United States. The V3 Hotels objective is to create and support properties of superior design and finish, and to compliment them with exceptional personal service. V3 Hotels partners with the latest hospitality companies in order to provide superb quality that eclipses industry standards while creating a warm and friendly personable atmosphere. The goal is to provide its visitors and guests with an environment that exemplifies a new standard in the hotel industry. V3 Hotels is the ultimate destination for industry leading standards and reliability.

V3 Hotels features a team of hand selected highly experienced and specialized individuals that carry out the vision and goals of the company. This team of managing professionals and owners are seasoned and experienced, and provide exceptional levels of support, success-planning, as well as direction and overall product integrity.


About Graves World Hospitality

Graves World Hospitality is the first company in the hotel industry to offer a comprehensive package of full-service management, sales, marketing, distribution and related services to luxury independent, upscale independent, and branded upscale hotels and resorts. GHW is a joint-venture company formed by Minneapolis-based Graves Hotels Resorts, a hotel ownership, development and management company, and WORLDHOTELS, a leader in the global independent hotel sales, marketing and distribution industry. GWH operations are initially focused on hotels located in the Americas. Future GWH member hotels are under development in Minneapolis, Chicago and Orlando. GWH is staffed by approximately 90 experienced professionals in 31 sales and reservations offices worldwide, and the company’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at http://www.gwhospitality.com/


Contacts:

Natasha Gullett
Hotel Indigo
770-604-5597
natasha.gullett@ihg.com

Stephen Boggs
IHG
770-604-5793
stephen.boggs@ihg.com