InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] announced today the newly branded InterContinental Bangkok as the latest addition to its brand portfolio of InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. Formerly known as the Le Royal Meridien, the presence of InterContinental Bangkok also reinforces IHG’s commitment to Thailand to support the growth of Thailand’s tourism industry.
The InterContinental brand is well-recognised globally and is synonymous with luxurious accommodations and world-class standards of quality and services and at the same time, capturing the subtle essence of the local environment. With the introduction of InterContinental Bangkok, international travelers including 15 million members of IHG’s loyalty programme Priority Club Rewards, will now have the opportunity to stay at one of the world’s finest hotels in Bangkok, one of Asia’s most popular destinations.
International travellers staying at the InterContinental Bangkok will appreciate its central location, along Ploenchit Road, and its close proximity to the Chitlom BTS skytrain station, making it especially convenient to explore Bangkok with ease. InterContinental Bangkok is targeted at the business and leisure markets as it is highly accessible and is clearly the place to be and be seen, with its excellent dining and entertainment outlets as well as its meeting facilities, among the best and biggest in Bangkok’s hotels.

This 381-room luxury hotel, which is owned by President Hotel and Tower (PHT), has already begun its transformation into a stylish and elegant hotel that creates a InterContinental experience for its guests. The experience will be enhanced through the delivery of the ICONs service programme, which focused on unique InterContinental products and services which truly reflect the understanding and care of the needs of international travellers. The service programme also enables InterContinental Bangkok to deliver on its promise of “We know what it takes” to delight its guests with world-famous Thai hospitality, that is both discreet and respectful.

According to Chalermbhand Srivikorn, Chairman of PHT, joining the IHG family of hotels will add considerable value to their properties. “IHG reflects our vision of providing outstanding accommodation and services in Bangkok’s best location. They offer powerful, well-positioned brands backed by unmatched expertise and the resources of a global network. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with IHG and are delighted with the plans they have to enhance the properties. We are confident that IHG will bring even further success to our properties, both in terms of customer loyalty and in terms of financial returns.”

“We are pleased and honoured to form an alliance with the Srivikorn and Charoen-rajapark families and believe that it will be a mutually beneficial relationship for both organizations as we work closely to enhance revenue and returns for the hotel property. InterContinental Bangkok is a significant addition to our portfolio and we are very excited about it. A superb property in an exceptional location,” said Mr. A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing Director, InterContinental Hotels Group, Asia Pacific, “I strongly believe the InterContinental Bangkok will set new service standards with its distinctive offering of international understanding, complemented with Thai hospitality, which will greatly appeal to international business and leisure travellers.”
Mr. Imbardelli added, “Importantly, the entry of InterContinental Bangkok into the marketplace helps put our brand right in the heart of one of Asia’s most dynamic and intriguing cities. This marks the roll out of our intensive but strategic expansion plans for Thailand for the next few months as we believe that Thailand has the growth potential, being a premiere tourist destination and a gateway to Southeast Asia, serving as a hub for inbound and outbound travellers, from all around the world. In fact, tourism into the country will receive an added boost with commendable efforts by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to make Thailand the tourism capital of Asia.”
The transformation of InterContinental Bangkok will continue for the next six months with refurbishment activities focusing on its lobby and restaurants to create an unforgettable guest experience, in line with the InterContinental brand while subtly reflecting the Thai culture. Guests staying at a InterContinental hotel will appreciate four key areas of differentiation, identified under the ICONs service programme. They are In An Instant so that guests can have all queries answered at a touch of a button, Global Connections to enable international travellers to keep in touch with their business and home with consistent technology connectivity, Around The Clock service that ensures guests’ needs are met, irrespective of the time (24-hour Room Service, Valet Service, Gym/Health Club and Business Centre) and Little Things That Make A Difference such as a Jetlag Recovery Kit or Instant Money, a local currency pack or even the Insider Concierge to help our guests discover Bangkok conveniently and easily. These service initiatives will underline InterContinental Bangkok’s promise of “we know what it takes” to make business or leisure trips more pleasurable.
To celebrate the newly rebranded InterContinental Bangkok, guests making an online reservation for InterContinental Bangkok on 18 July 2003, will get to enjoy a special introductory offer to stay at the hotel. In addition, Priority Club members who sign up for the offer will receive welcome gifts when they stay at the hotel. Reservations can be made at www.ichotelsgroup.com/onedaysale.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], owns, manages, leases or franchises more than 3,300 hotels and 515,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK.
InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Express by Holiday Inn hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels and, for the Group’s rewards programme, www.priorityclub.com

For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.pressoffice.ichotelsgroup.com.

——-