IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel company, announces the opening of the InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau today. A stone’s throw away from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees, IHG will manage the hotel under a ten year management contract with Groupe Cible Expansion which owns the hotel.

InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau was until recently the Crowne Plaza Paris Champs Elysees. The 55-room hotel which opened in 2008 is located in three heritage buildings from different periods in Paris’ history and overlooks a central courtyard. Designed by Bruno Borrione, part of Philippe Starck’s team, the hotel is a mix of French classical and urban contemporary design. It has two penthouse suites, including a terrace suite with a private roof patio looking onto the Eiffel Tower.

InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau is one of 28 hotels in the city, and 63 hotels across France, operating under one of IHG’s seven brands, including Holiday Inn. The hotel will complement the existing InterContinental Paris Le Grand, which originally opened as a hotel in 1867 and has been flying the InterContinental flag since 1982. InterContinental Paris Le Grand then reopened in 2003 following a multi-million euro restoration.

Didier Boidin, InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) vice president of operations for France, said: “Travellers from around the world affectionately refer to the InterContinental Paris Le Grand as the ‘grand palais’ among Paris’ luxury hotels. With the opening of InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau, we now have a charming petit palais located in another one of the capital’s most desirable addresses. Visitors now have a choice of either the Opera view from InterContinental Paris Le Grand, or the Arc de Triomphe view from InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau. Opening our second InterContinental hotel in Paris is testament to the strength and appeal of the brand.  We’re looking forward to welcoming international business and leisure travellers to the hotel.”

Jean Pierre Bansard, Groupe Cible Expansion, said: “InterContinenal Paris Avenue Marceau will give our guests a truly luxurious and authentic Parisian experience. It is located in the heart of the capital, near to some of the best-known landmarks in this city and is a true reflection of the heritage and culture Paris has to offer. I believe InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau will add to Paris’ top class hotel offering bringing considerable prestige to the city.”

IHG has 164 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in 60 countries across the world and 63 hotels in the development pipeline.