InterContinental has announced that it will re-brand the InterContinental Tequendama Bogota as the Crowne Plaza Tequendama Bogota, effective January 2007.
The Tequendama hotel, which has been operating for over 50 years, is considered to be one of the most renowned hotels in Bogota, Colombia, and has been notorious for hosting celebrities, several dignitaries and world leaders from across the globe. Additionally, most major governmental and worldwide agencies’ conventions and conferences have also been held at the internationally acclaimed hotel which enjoys an ideal location close to the financial, business, government and tourist districts.

Through research, the hotel’s owning and managing company, Sociedad Hotel San Diego S.A., has determined that there is an increase in demand for larger meeting and event space in Colombia, as well as a need for innovative value offerings as it pertains to services, products, and marketing programs. Benefiting from these findings, IHG proposed a re-branding to Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts since the brand features unique programs like THE PLACE TO MEET and Sleep Advantage.

THE PLACE TO MEET strategy offers a comprehensive meetings package to ensure a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience. The program consists of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Meetings Daily Debrief.

“Our responsibility for each property is to ensure its long-term success,” says Alvaro Diago, Area President of InterContinental Hotels Group Latin America. “This property, which is a symbol in Bogota and is one of IHG’s most well-regarded properties, is truly suited for Crowne Plaza’s global meetings strategy,” adds Alvaro Diago. “Additionally, this is the ideal time to re-position the hotel so that it can capitalize on what we view as a one-of-a-kind meeting and convention facility in that market.”

As part of the re-brand, the hotel will also feature the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage, an award-winning program which encompasses all aspects of a guests’ sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.

“Being situated in Colombia’s capital makes the conversion ideal,” adds Alvaro Diago. “The conversion will fill the niche that is much needed in the city. In fact, we anticipate that the hotel will be a pioneer in this particular market since it will have the unique offerings of “The Place to Meet” and the Sleep Advantage Programs that fulfill executives, guests’ and meeting planners’ needs when they’re away from home and have serious business to attend to.”

Beyond the expansive meeting facilities that include 31 meeting rooms, accommodating up to 1,600 people, the Crowne Plaza Tequendama Bogota will continue to feature 578 finely appointed guestrooms and suites.

InterContinental has also been nominated this year for a

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World Travel Award as World’s Leading Hotel Brand.
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