Kew Green Hotels has announced that its 11
Courtyard by Marriott hotels in the UK will be re-branded as Holiday
Inns, under a 20 year licence agreement with InterContinental Hotels
Group plc.The conversion of the 11 Courtyard by Marriott hotels to Holiday Inn is
planned for May 2007. Employees will be trained to reflect the Holiday
Inn brand standards, including the ‘Can Do’ service promise and the
Priority Club rewards scheme. All current employees will be retained and
additional staff will be employed at some hotels.

Refurbishments will take place at most hotels; banqueting suites will be
upgraded, air-conditioning will be added to all bedrooms within 18
months, as well as the introduction of room service breakfast and the
time saving ‘breakfast check-out’.

 

The decision to re-brand the 11 hotels was taken as KGH felt that the
Holiday Inn brand was more appropriate for these full service hotels.
All the hotels offer excellent accommodation plus extensive conference
and banqueting facilities, in city and business locations. KGH will
maintain its relationship with Marriott, as the company is building a
moderately priced, European designed Courtyard by Marriott hotel at
Gatwick Airport. Due to open in late 2008, the hotel will reflect the
international specification of the Courtyard by Marriott hotels found
around the world.

 

Paul Johnson, Managing Director, comments; “We are delighted to expand
our relationship with IHG and to build on the three Express by Holiday
Inns that we already operate. The Holiday Inn brand is a perfect fit for
these full service hotels and I am pleased to announce that we will also
open a new 150 bedroom Holiday Inn in Norwich City this April.”

 

Andrew Cosslett, Chief Executive of IHG, said: “The conversion of these
hotels to Holiday Inn marks another significant win for IHG and
recognises the strength of the Holiday Inn brand. Holiday Inn is the
largest full service hotel brand in the UK. We continue to see it grow
in key strategic markets around the world as the demand for quality
hotel accommodation rises. We welcome this opportunity to develop our
relationship with a quality hotel owner like KGH.”
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