ATLANTA - Holiday Inn Express announced today that the new 121-room Holiday Inn Express-New Orleans will open June 22, representing another addition to the mid-scale’s portfolio of limited-service hotels.

The new Holiday Inn Express-New Orleans is owned by Cotton Exchange Hotels, LLC, managed by Decatur Hotels Corporation, and operated under a license agreement with an affiliate of Six Continents Hotels, Inc.

“This is the second Holiday Inn Express hotel to open in New Orleans,” said Jenifer Zeigler, vice president of marketing for the Holiday Inn Express brand. “Development in New Orleans is important in establishing a strong presence in prime tourist location and high-traffic business area in order to expand our Holiday Inn Express consumer base.”

Located in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District, this $22 million property is one block from New Orleans’ famous French Quarter and minutes from prime shopping, restaurants, clubs and local tourist attractions such as Harrah’s, Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans Arena, the Riverwalk, the Arts & Warehouse District, the Superdome, and the Convention Center.

Dating back to the late 1800’s, this historical property once housed the New Orleans Cotton Exchange. Today this building features a beautiful roof-top garden, heated outdoor pool and 3,500 square feet of meeting space.

The hotel will feature standard Holiday Inn Express guest-room accommodations including comfortable queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, cable television, free long-distance access, hairdryer, coffee machine, non-stick iron and ironing board and safety deposit boxes. For those travelers with business needs, guestrooms will also provide a work desk and ergonomic chair, data ports, multi-line phones with private voicemail, Internet access, complimentary USA Today newspapers, Navigator Magazine and in-room checkout capabilities.

“The new Holiday Inn Express-New Orleans, is the smart choice for guests looking for a comfortable and affordable stay near tourist attractions and New Orleans’ downtown area,” said Frank Wilders, hotel general manager. “This property is in a great area for both business and leisure because it is within walking distance of the New Orleans’ Central Business District and the French Quarter.”

Holiday Inn Express hotels are the smart choice for value-oriented travelers looking for fresh, clean and modern hotels. The new hotel, which will offer competitive rates for business and leisure travelers, will offer a complimentary breakfast bar (featuring fresh fruit, cereal and pastries), free local (U.S. and Canada only) and 1-800 phone calls, and the ability to earn Priority Club Rewards points that can be redeemed for great merchandise, airline miles, or free room nights in more than 3,200 hotels.

The hotel is located at 221-223 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130; telephone; (504) 962-0800 and facsimile; (504) 962-0801.

Holiday Inn Express continues to set the pace in the “limited-service” hotel category as the fastest-growing hotel brand, opening on average two new hotels every week. Holiday Inn Express adds to its achievements a growing list of industry and consumer accolades such as being named the top hotel choice for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur magazine as well as the top hotel brand in its segment by Business Travel News. The brand also captured the 2001 gold EFFIE for its Stay Smart advertising campaign, marking the third consecutive EFFIE the campaign has won. The national EFFIEs are the only major awards to recognize business results attributable to advertising campaigns.

Holiday Inn Express hotels offer outstanding value and customer service in more than 1,200 locations around the world. For more information about Holiday Inn Express or to book reservations, call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit www.hiexpress.com.

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