IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, will roll out the green carpet for the grand opening of the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre on April 6.

The new hotel is Canada’s largest Holiday Inn property with 513 rooms over 23 floors and features 9,000 square feet of modern, multi-functional event space. The grand opening marks the completion of the hotel’s $20 million renovation project. The hotel will be among the first and the largest in North America in 2011 to open following the successful completion of the $1 billion Holiday Inn global brand relaunch, the biggest ever project of its kind in the history of the hospitality industry. The Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre demonstrates the positive changes of the relaunch program on a large scale which includes a renewed focus on quality, improved arrival & welcome features, enhanced bedding and showers, a “Stay Real” service culture and a new, up to date look including a redesigned logo and signage.

“The opening of the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre is a significant milestone, as it’s not only the largest Holiday Inn in Canada, but also the largest opening in North America following the successful completion of the $1 billion Holiday Inn global brand relaunch” said Gopal Rao, regional vice president, sales and marketing, IHG Canada. “Toronto is a world class city and the ideal place to host Canada’s largest Holiday Inn. This magnificent hotel will cater to tens of thousands of visitors in its first year alone. All of whom will be able to experience on a grand stage Holiday Inn hotels’ global brand relaunch as well as what Toronto has to offer first hand.”

Heart of the City
Located at 30 Carlton Street in the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, the hotel is steps away from Toronto’s historic landmark Maple Leaf Gardens and within walking distance of the Eaton Centre, Ryerson University and hundreds of restaurants and businesses.

To celebrate the hotel’s grand opening, Holiday Inn reached out to local businesses and partners with the support of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Association (DYBIA) to participate in their Paint The Town Green initiative.  As part of the Paint The Town Green initative, local business gave an early welcome to the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre by rolling out the welcome mats and painting their doors in Holiday Inn hotels’ signature green in the weeks leading up to the grand opening. In a show of thanks and commitment to the community, Holiday Inn will make a donation to the BIA for every door painted. Holiday Inn will present a $10,000 donation to the DYBIA at the official Grand Opening Green Carpet event on April 6.

“To have the largest Holiday Inn in Canada opening in our neighbourhood will be an amazing boon to our local businesses and community,” said James L. Robinson, executive director, Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Association. “With the Paint the Town Green initiative, Holiday Inn has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood and the business community welcomes them to our diverse and progressive corner of Toronto.”

A New Look and Feel
The Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre provides an intimate hotel experience that is unique to a large scale hotel property. The existing building was gutted and completely redesigned creating a modern design and décor by architect Ava Janikowski of Chase International Consultants in Design. Toronto-based visual artist Neil Young’s artwork was selected for the hotel lobby for his vibrantly colourful abstract visuals that accentuate the hotel’s modern design.

The hotel boasts a variety of dining options including the new urbane dining experience at The Carlton. Renowned executive chef Chris Moreland (formerly of White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa) brings his culinary vision of ‘glocal’ to life with exotic dishes created with locally sourced ingredients. While Thirty Bar & Lounge is the perfect modern and relaxed environment for both business and holiday travelers to enjoy cocktails and tapas. Guests will also enjoy the fitness centre and large indoor pool complete with stunning outdoor patio.

Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts participates in IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards.  The industry’s first and largest guest loyalty program has 56 million members.  Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG’s more than 4,400 hotels worldwide.