Holiday Inn Express Set to Open in Merced, CA

New property will feature new sign and brand standards as part of the worldwide brand relaunch

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. February 20, 2009

FEBRUARY 20, 2009 - (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG(ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms announced today that a new 91-roomHoliday Inn Express in Merced, CA is expected to open next month. The property will showcase thebrand's new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1billion Holiday Inn brand re-launch program.

First announced in 2007, the re-launch program wasestablished to create a more contemporary brand image as part of the drive to increase quality anddrive consistency across the global portfolio. The program focuses on arrival and welcome,guestroom and guest bath comfort. The global estate of more than 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday InnExpress properties is expected to be re-launched by the end of 2010.Guests at the Holiday Inn Express Merced, CA will experience a comfortable and smart environmentwith innovative preferred guest upgrades to ensure a productive stay while traveling for business orleisure. The hotel's newly enhanced complimentary Express Start(R) breakfast bar will feature a fullrange of breakfast items including a rotation of egg and meat selections, biscuits, yogurt, fruit and thebrand's proprietary cinnamon roll and Smart Roast(R) coffee. The SimplySmartTM shower incorporatesa proprietary Stay SmartTM Kohler showerhead, signature shower curtain with curved rod, upgraded100 percent cotton terry towels and a custom line of cinnamon-scented bath products. And, guestswill enjoy the SimplySmartTM bedding collection where they will find new crisp fresh bedding whichfeatures 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 andleisure travelers," said John Merkin, senior vice president, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brands,The Americas. "With more than 1,800 properties worldwide and more than 700 properties in thepipeline, the Holiday Inn Express portfolio continues to expand in markets like Merced, CA, providing our guests with an enhanced stay experience at a great value. We welcome this hotel into theHoliday Inn family with the brand new sign and everything it represents."The property offers a variety of amenities such as Complimentary Express StartTM Breakfast, 24hrBusiness Center, 24hr Fitness Facility & Outdoor Pool/ Whirlpool. Standard Holiday Inn Expressguest rooms feature comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, in-roomcoffee machine featuring complimentary Smart Roast 100% Arabica coffee. Business travelers willfind large desks with ergonomic chairs, free high-speed internet access and free local phone and tollfree (U.S. and Canada only), phones with private voicemail and complimentary USA TODAY(R) newspapers.

The property is a short distance to the newer UC Merced, Merced Municipal Airport, Mercy MedicalCenter, UC Davis Cancer Center and Merced College. Conviently located off Hwy 99, just beforehighway 140 leading to Yosemite Nat'l Park.