IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms today announces that the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque will open in Sept. 2011 following a brand change from a Hilton that included $14 million in renovations throughout the property. The 261-room hotel features 26,000 square feet of meeting space that includes an 8,000 square foot conference center and is conveniently located just six miles from the airport and three miles from historic Old Town.

The hotel is on a 14 acre oasis in the university and midtown district that captures the unique flavor and artistry of the popular Southwest New Mexico destination. Guest rooms are tastefully decorated and spacious with breathtaking views of Albuquerque’s spectacular high-desert landscape of mesas, volcanoes and the Sandia Mountains.

“We’re pleased to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to the Albuquerque area, especially in such a convenient location for business travelers and meetings,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Management, the Americas, IHG.  “There are several major employers in the area that will benefit from the meetings-savvy products and services that only a Crowne Plaza can provide.”

“We are excited to be re-opening as a Crowne Plaza at a location that is ideal for both business and leisure guests,” said General Manager Eric Rossena. “It is the perfect facility for meetings and business travelers and it offers our guests the opportunity to enjoy Crowne Plaza’s upscale experience.”

A recipient of the “New Mexico Green Zia Environmental Excellence Award,” the hotel is convenient for leisure travelers as it is minutes from historic Old Town, Balloon Fiesta Park, the world’s longest tramway, championship golf courses, Indian gaming casinos and wonderful shopping.  Sante Fe is a short 55 minute scenic drive away.

The hotel features the famous Ranchers Club of New Mexico restaurant, the only AAA 4 Diamond Award Winner in Albuquerque, and is also a repeat winner of the prestigious DiRōNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award. Recently opened, the new Stonestreet Restaurant features innovative New Mexican cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The full-service hotel is located at 1901 University Boulevard NE in Albuquerque and includes 22 meeting rooms in 26,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary wireless access throughout the hotel, business center and complimentary parking.

The Crowne Plaza is “the Place to Meet” with the signature comprehensive meetings program that ensures a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, a Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief. When the hotel opens, it will be participating in “The Big Reward” that gives meeting planners up to 500,000 bonus Priority Club® points when they book rooms at participating IHG locations across North America.

City.Mobi

Also in US today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Albuquerque.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Albuquerque.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.