{SA} Second Hotel Indigo Planned for Downtown San Antonio

[sirkingwilliam]

May 29, 2008 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, today announces that a second Hotel Indigo is coming to San Antonio. The 149-room all-suite property will open in early 2009 at the San Antonio Riverwalk, joining the 91-room Hotel Indigo San Antonio at The Alamo, scheduled to open this fall.

The new hotel is a conversion of a Hawthorn Suites and will be located at 830 N. St. Mary's on the tranquil north end of the San Antonio Riverwalk, in close proximity to shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues. In addition to direct access to the famous San Antonio Riverwalk, the Hotel Indigo will be within walking distance to Baptist Medical Center and The Municipal Auditorium. Downtown San Antonio is just five blocks away, and the newly-renovated Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is a half-mile from the hotel.

"We now have plans for Hotel Indigo properties at two of Texas's top tourist destinations, The Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk," said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Franchise Development, the Americas, IHG. "The branded boutique style of Hotel Indigo will allow us to offer our guests at both properties the conveniences of a branded hotel and the service personality and style cachet of a boutique property, all wrapped into a completely unique design experience at each location."

Personifying the brand's Interpret IndigoTM design platform, the two hotels in San Antonio will be different from a design perspective, each reflecting the character of their individual locations. The uniqueness of the Riverwalk will be reflected in the vernacular architecture of the building and the rich colors and inviting wood tones of the interiors. Unique furnishings, eye-catching graphics and pops of brilliant color push through the line of tradition and engage guests in the unexpected.

The Riverwalk is a landmark location with history, recognizable winding sidewalks and an aura of celebration. To continue this sense of liveliness and maintain continuity with the historic neighborhoods surrounding the hotel, architecture and interior design firm Kraemer Design Group designed the Hotel Indigo with an emphasis on rejuvenation and renewal. Natural forms and warm finishes go hand in hand with the southwest location of the hotel, while bursts of turquoise and bright yellows keep it fresh and vibrant. The festivity of the Riverwalk and the natural beauty of the river and vegetation are invited into the hotel, with the patio blending inside to the bar and dining area.

Boutique hotels, known for their intimate, luxurious environments in addition to personalized accommodations and services, have gained increasing popularity throughout North America. Hotel Indigo is known as the industry's first branded boutique hotel, artfully combining the conveniences and consistencies of a brand hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique at an attractive price. The soul of the brand's retail-inspired concept is renewal - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh, similar to the way retailers change their window displays. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. The hotel will feature renewable elements such as vivid nature-inspired murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora and murals.

The Hotel Indigo at the San Antonio Riverwalk will feature signature design elements including oversized lobby chairs, which create a personal work or dining space within the public areas of the hotel; cozy, airy and inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring and spa-inspired showers; and a Phitness studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotel will also offer Phi, an on-site casual gourmet restaurant; a 24-hour business center; two meeting rooms for business functions or special events; an outdoor pool with courtyard patio; and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel.

The hotel is owned by RW Hotel Associates, LP, and will be managed by Trans Inns Management, Inc., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

"Over the past 24 months Trans Inns Management has organized the acquisition of nine additional properties representing over $100 million of hotel assets, and we're pleased to add Hotel Indigo to our portfolio. We expect to acquire an equal amount of hotel properties in 2008, and are looking forward to opening this Hotel Indigo next year," said Daniel J. Vosotas, President and CEO of Trans Inns Management, Inc.

The Hotel Indigo brand is quickly expanding throughout North America, with 15 locations open and more than 60 under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. The first Hotel Indigo opened in Atlanta in October 2004, followed by Hotel Indigo Chicago Gold Coast; Chicago Schaumburg North; Houston at the Galleria; Hotel Indigo Dallas; Ottawa Downtown City Centre, Canada; Hotel Indigo Scottsdale, Ariz.; Hotel Indigo Sarasota, Fla; Hotel Indigo Buffalo-Amherst, N.Y.; Hotel Indigo Nashville West End; Hotel Indigo Mérida Hacienda Misné, Mexico; Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton Riverside; Hotel Indigo Columbus Downtown, Ind.; Hotel Indigo Fishers-Indy's Uptown; and Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills. Future sites of Hotel Indigo hotels include Miami, Fl.; St. Louis, Mo.; London, England; San Antonio, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and New York, N.Y. For more information on Hotel Indigo, or to make reservations, please visit http://www.hotelindigo.com/.

[OfCourse]

Nice. I like Hotel Indigos. They're great.