1ISSUE

IHG Europe’s Development, Design & Openings magazine.

InterContinental®

Paris Le Grand

HAPPYBIRTHDAY Hotel Indigo® turns 10

Angela Bravinterview with

Following IHG®’s vast restoration of the magnificent Salon Opera

‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Regeneration

What opportunities does London’s latest redevelopment

project present investors?

GAME

InterContinental® Marseille – Hotel Dieu

SOME THINGS YOU CAN’T BRING BACK IN YOUR SUITCASE.

Find out moreintercontinental.com

Isn’t the real excitement of travel having experiences that enchant you?

At our hotels, we use our local knowledge to show you what makes each place unique. Recent openings in Europe include InterContinental® Davos and InterContinental® Porto, so wherever you go, we’ll help you discover the authentic.

Do you live an InterContinental life?

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IHG’s Development, Design & Openings team employs the best professionals in their specifi c area of expertise and is dedicated to offering investors great service as a one-stop-shop from deal generation to hotel opening. Our Development teams are located in seven regions across Europe. Their role as hotel real estate specialists is to bring each project to life by identifying the best brand for the project and tailor-making the franchise license or management agreement. They are supported by a Corporate Finance team who assess the feasibility of the project and an in-house Legal team who aim for a well-balanced agreement. They ensure the right policies, procedures and controls are in place to protect your proposed investment.The Design & Engineering team are part of the project from the very beginning. They ensure every square metre of the hotel will be well utilised, they help developers to value engineer the project and they guide your consultants on our brand and technical standards. They know that the key is realising the potential of your site and maximising the value of your investment, and in some cases, this team has realised several million euros of cost savings for the owner.

About 12 months before opening, if it’s a new build project, our New Hotel Openings team will get involved and make sure the hotel opens on time and in top condition, activating distribution channels, training staff and co-ordinating marketing activities for the launch of the hotel. This service is unique in the industry.DQ has been created to inform IHG’s stakeholders about the various activities and actions this team undertakes year round, creating new concepts, new room designs, signing new hotels into our pipeline and opening new hotels. In this fi rst issue, you will read about the renovation of the InterContinental® Paris – Le Grand, the new Crowne Plaza in Belgrade, the Hotel Indigo opening in Paris, the Holiday Inn® Open Lobby, the regeneration of Vauxhall in London with new openings of Staybridge Suites®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn Express®, and lots more…I hope you enjoy getting to know the people who are here to support you every step of the way. I am very proud to lead this team in one of the best hotel companies in the world.

Robert ShepherdChief Development Offi cer, Europe

Hotel development is certainly the most fascinating aspect of the hospitality industry. Creating or re-creating new hotels, regenerating neighbourhoods, transforming old buildings into a city landmark, creating destinations and increasing real estate values. It’s a long-term process to which IHG has dedicated considerable resources in order to develop Great Hotels Guests Love and become the number one hotel company for our guests, our owners and our employees.

DQ’s sole purpose is to inform all IHG stakeholders, colleagues, owners, franchisees and collaborators about IHG’s developments in Europe. I hope you enjoy reading this fi rst issue of DQ and I already look forward to the next edition.

Philippe BijaouiVice President Development, Europe

Credits: Editor-in-Chief: Catherine A. Ross / Contributors: Philippe Bijaoui | Rachel Corden | Abigail Goldsbrough | Sandra Plant / Photography: Plainview Media | Thierry Favatier | IHG / Design: Marc Pattison | David Hughes (Redworks) / Print: Simon George (InnerWorkings)

contentsWelcome to issue one 1

Interview with… Angela Brav 2

Grand Designs: IHG®’s renovation of InterContinental® Paris Le – Grand 4

Crowne Plaza® Belgrade: Serbia gets its first taste of the brand 10

Nine Elms on the South Bank: London’s latest regeneration project 12

Hotel Indigo®: A decade of branded boutique 16

F&B: Who’s eating what and where? 18

Success story: Holiday Inn® Open Lobby 20

IHG on the road: Roadshows & conferences 22

30 seconds with… Philippe Bijaoui 26

Meet the IHG Owners Association 27

New Openings 28

‘Shaping our future’: What does it mean to you? 32

Have you always had a career plan?Yes, I have always known I wanted to work in hospitality and specifi cally in hotels.

What was your fi rst job? I was a lifeguard.

Your father was in the military, do you think that informed a disciplined approach to work? Yes, I come from a military family where discipline and commitment were required, so this was always part of my outlook. These attributes are part of my family’s DNA so, naturally, they’re mine too.

Describe an average day?My alarm goes off at 04:45am, I check emails and I am out of the door for my daily run, which I do come rain or shine, at 05:15am. Then I get ready for work and have breakfast, which I never skip. Breakfast and lunch are my critical meals. My working day can be pretty hectic and it can run quite late, but I always try to be in bed by 10:30pm.

What are the key aspects to succeeding in hospitality? You must have commitment and a passion to serve people and, importantly, the willingness to work consistently hard in order to succeed.

You started your career in Atlanta. What was the appeal of Europe? It comes down to the diversity of the region, and also my heritage is German so it’s always been part of my life. I absolutely feel that Europe has the best cities in the world to live in, work in and, of course, visit; everybody wants to visit Europe! It’s also the roots of where hospitality began, so what better place to work?

Which is more important in business; head or heart? You absolutely need both.

Interview with…

Angela BravAngela Brav is Chief Executive Offi cer of Europe. Before coming to Europe, she was the Chief Operating Offi cer of North America, supporting some 3,000 hotels and managing 250 company managed hotels. In her 26-year career at IHG® she has worked at headquarters in Atlanta, Brussels, Belgium and Guadalajara, Mexico. Here, Angela gives us an insight into how she has managed to carve out a successful career in a business that never sleeps.

““

I come from a military family where discipline and commitment were required, so this was always part

of my outlook. Commitment and a passion to serve people are key to

success in this industry

2

Make success 1°C more successful.We understand that our guests are driven to succeed. And so are our owners. In the right locations, the Crowne Plaza® brand outperforms its competition and can drive above average gross operating profit for owners. Celebrate success with Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts.

crowneplaza.com/youfirst

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If walls could talk… One can only imagine what tales these walls would tell.

After all, Le Grand hotel’s famous

ballroom, the Salon Opera, was once the

biggest in Paris and hosted all manner

of suitably grand balls with undoubtedly

suitably grand dramas. The Grande Dame

of Parisian ballrooms has undergone a

huge restoration to return it to its former

glory. A work of art and labour of love

by some of the finest craftsmen helped

restore this jewel in the capital’s crown.

“Just look at it!” exclaims Michael Walsh,

Director of Capital Projects, Europe.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who could

look at it and not be impressed.”

When, in January 2014, the five-month

restoration of InterContinental®

Paris – Le Grand’s Salon Opera finally

kicked off, it had been years in the

planning. Taking no chances with IHG’s

€6m investment, Michael Walsh and the

Development, Design & Openings Team

had prepped down to the final detail.

Enlisting 50 of the finest craftsmen from

far and wide, they formed an expert

restoration panel to ensure that only the

best talent was entrusted to restore this

Parisian masterpiece. From traditional

glassmakers to goldbeaters, each

brought their unique savoir-faire as part

of an extensive four-month investigation,

overseen by listed building architect

Serge Pitiot.

GRANDDESIGNS

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A great deal of care was required to

address the underlying causes behind

the refurbishment: the metro vibrating

underneath, the moisture in the atmosphere

from hosting up to 800 guests at a time and

the building’s great age. Admired since the

Napoleonic palace style hotel opened in

1862, the team decided to close Salon Opera

for six months and restore the fortunes of

this World Heritage Site.

To stem losses from the closure, the team

had to be creative with their timing of the

programme. Directly beneath the Salon

Opera is Salon Berlioz, a meeting space that

was in much need of a make-over. With the

same footprint, but less charm than Salon

Opera, it had no natural light and far lower

ceilings; it required quite the budget

(and brains) to rejuvenate the space while

the Salon Opera was out of commission.

“For what is essentially a meeting space,

it was an expensive project on a cost-per-

metre basis but the revenue we got from

it coming back into commission has been

good. It cost €1.1m and to date, we’ve already

got half of that back in the fi rst two years,”

Michael beams, “It was well worth it.”

The opening of a freshly renovated Salon

Berlioz marked the closing of the Salon

Opera, and with that the hard work began

putting years of planning into action.

“The fact that we had the best people in the

business involved, from all these specifi c

professions and specialist trades was key.”

Michael continues, “We had to go through

these intensive processes where we peeled

back a number of layers of paint to get to

the original colour and then dissolve that to

fi nd out what the original make-up of the

paint was, so we could recreate

it accurately.”

Historical décor artists worked meticulously

alongside gilding specialists, woodworkers

and a master glassworker to begin the historic

renovation. This included re-working paintings,

sculptures and more. However, as striking as

the ornate restoration is, the extent of unseen

work that went into the structure cannot be

underestimated - and often goes uncelebrated.

� e Salon Opera ballroom has been the theatre of a conscious, silent ballet starring all the building trades; they have been working against the clock

to enable everyone to work in the best conditions without interfering at any time with the hotel’s clients or guests“� e Salon Opera ballroom has been “� e Salon Opera ballroom has been

the theatre of a conscious, silent ballet “the theatre of a conscious, silent ballet starring all the building trades; they “starring all the building trades; they

“

to enable everyone to work in the best

“

to enable everyone to work in the best conditions without interfering at any

“

conditions without interfering at any time with the hotel’s clients or guests

“

time with the hotel’s clients or guests

Christophe Laure, General Manager, InterContinental® Paris – Le Grand and Area General Manager Paris

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A PICTURESPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS

To repair the roof and consolidate the ceiling

took an extraordinary amount of effort.

Michael elaborates, “Every 300mm, we

drilled a hole into the existing ceiling, filled

it full of resin and put carbon fibre rods in.

That gave the different layers of plaster

lateral stability so it all became one piece.

Then that got sanded off, filled back in and

painted. You see none of all that internal

work, but that equated to about 10,000 holes

across the whole ceiling.”

Combine that with improvements in

mechanical installations, smoke extraction,

security enhancement and everything

necessary to satisfy local safety regulations

and IHG’s energy efficiency programme,

Green Engage, and it equates to an

extraordinary amount of work. But it was all

worth it when on 15th June 2014, the Salon

Opera re-opened to reclaim its legacy as

one of the capital’s most impressive venues.

Upon opening, it immediately played host

to some of the capital’s most prestigious

and glamorous events, notably the Maison

Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week in

September. IHG and Eiffage Construction’s

superb renovation has ensured the legacy of

this unique site, with its famous Café de la

Paix and La Verriere Restaurant, will remain.

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SALON BERLIOZBEFORE & AFTER

Number crunch:· €6m – the total cost of the restoration

(half a million euros under budget)

· 16 metres – the height of the Salon Opera oval ceiling

· 450m2 – the size of the Salon Opera

· 50 – the number of specialist craftsmen who worked on the project

· 70 kilos – the amount of gold leaf used on décor restoration

· 10,000 – the number of carbon fi bre rods used to consolidate the ceiling

· 5 months – the amount of time it took to restore (one month ahead of schedule)

Contacts us to discuss your refurbishment plans:

Michael Walsh, Head of Capital Projects, Europemichael.walsh@ihg.com

Mark Hanlon, Head of Engineering, Europemark.hanlon@ihg.com

Emma Lindsay,Head of Interior Design, Europeemma.lindsay@ihg.com

Jean-Philippe Perrouty-Henin,Head of Architecture Design, Europejeanphilippe.perrouty@ihg.com

Michael Walsh, Director of Capital Projects, Europe

When discussing renovation investment, it’s so much easier to

show a picture of before and a� er. Combined with the � gures, it speaks

for itself. If you’re planning a refurbishment, talk to us. IHG has great expertise in this area

and we’re happy to help“When discussing renovation “When discussing renovation

investment, it’s so much easier to “investment, it’s so much easier to show a picture of before and a� er. “show a picture of before and a� er.

“

a refurbishment, talk to us. IHG

“

a refurbishment, talk to us. IHG has great expertise in this area

“

has great expertise in this area and we’re happy to help

“

and we’re happy to help

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Michael concludes, “Everybody we show the before and after pictures can’t believe their eyes and the fact we shaved a month off and did it half a million less than our budget was quite a feather in our caps I think. It was a lot of work, but we got there. And it is a project we’re all very proud of.”

And so they should be.

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Crowne Plaza® Belgrade

Why Belgrade?

On 30th December 2013, Serbia welcomed the opening of the Crowne Plaza® Belgrade. The country’s fi rst taste of the brand, it is already ranked in the city’s top fi ve hotels on TripAdvisor. What makes this Crowne Plaza so appealing to guests and what is the lure of Belgrade?

Less than a year after it opened its doors, the Crowne Plaza Belgrade beams success. A thorough conversion of one of Serbia’s most recognisable buildings, it is a testament to the value of investing in renovations and rebrands. A total of €40m was spent on the renovation of this 1979 listed building, which, designed by Stojan Maksimović, has a modern and before-its-time appearance that befi ts its central business district location.

As a listed building, nothing could be changed aesthetically, so when it came to restoring the famous glass façade, specialists had to replace the 30-year-old panels with new layered glass of exactly the same shape and colour. This not only ensured the preservation of the historic exterior, but it vastly improved the building’s energy performance, bringing it in line with IHG’s Green Engage programme.

In addition to the swish new renovation, its perfect location – bang in the central business district of New Belgrade – is certainly part of Crowne Plaza Belgrade’s appeal. Only 13km from the International Belgrade Airport Nikola Tesla, near two shopping malls (Delta City and Usce) and only fi ve minutes drive from the city centre, it ticks all the boxes for business and pleasure.

As with all Crowne Plaza hotels the emphasis lies with putting guests fi rst. “Our philosophy is all about helping our guests to always be at their best. What sets us apart are the thoughtful things we provide to help them stay productive when they stay with us,” Brand Manager Anna Karwata tells us. From complimentary Wi-Fi to the Fast & Fresh menu, the Sleep Advantage programme with its aromatherapy kits to the Energy Essentials, which provides free fruit and fi tness regimes, the Crowne Plaza brand’s maxim is to keep guests on top of their game.

If meetings are the order of the day, guests have the guarantee of a two-hour response to any meeting inquiries. Then there’s the added support of the dedicated Crowne Plaza Meetings Director, and the use of the hotel’s budget planning tools to help manage costs. It is prime accommodation for business travel, but if guests require something more culturally stimulating, Belgrade has a wealth of offerings.

Today, Belgrade is a contemporary and diverse city in what is the increasingly appealing destination of Serbia. Wave goodbye to stereotypes of old, and you’ll fi nd an exciting city, bursting with ancient monuments, restaurants serving international cuisine, nightlife to rival anywhere in Europe, architecture that showcases the legacy of bold Socialist blocks alongside delicate Austro-Hungarian buildings and more. Belgrade takes Serbia’s legacy of natural, historic, cultural and ethnic contrasts and magnifi es it, which is why Crowne Plaza Belgrade is such a key addition to IHG’s destination portfolio.

Crowne Plaza® Belgrade is prime accommodation for business travel, but if guests require something more culturally stimulating, Belgrade has

a wealth of o� erings“Crowne Plaza® Belgrade is prime “Crowne Plaza® Belgrade is prime

“but if guests require something more

“but if guests require something more culturally stimulating, Belgrade has

“culturally stimulating, Belgrade has

a wealth of o� erings

“a wealth of o� erings

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When in 2010 the area surrounding Nine Elms in South West London was identifi ed as an Opportunity Area in the Mayor’s London Plan, it spelled the beginning of what was to become the biggest regeneration programme in Europe. “Its location in the city’s Central Activities Zone presents a unique set of opportunities” Boris Johnson stated, “This area has huge potential to make a signifi cant contribution to London’s economy.”

Spanning 482 acres, or 197 hectares, the area covers the strip between Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea. This has led to around 3km of previously inaccessible Thames riverside being opened up to the public. The new pathway marks the beginning of what will be a huge green corridor stretching from Battersea Park (with its Children’s Zoo, Pump House Gallery, and Peace Pagoda) through Nine Elms and Vauxhall, where the famous Pleasure Gardens lay (poet Shelley was a fan, Canaletto painted the Grand Walk and some of Handel’s most famous works were premiered there) and fi nishing at the original South Bank; London’s most celebrated cultural hub.

If plans for Nine Elms on the South Bank renovation are anything to go by, it could very soon be rivaling the illustrious reputation of its predecessor. “Culture and creativity will be at the heart of the regeneration.” Helen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms on the South Bank tells us, “There are going to be new public parks and green spaces, an iconic new food sector at New Covent Garden Market and there is already an emerging gallery quarter.”

That gallery quarter is set to become a contemporary institution. From the Asprey-owned Cabinet Gallery to Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery, the new district extends the art trend that starts at the Tate Modern in Southwark and snakes up to Tate Britain in Pimlico. But it won’t all be diamond-covered skulls and the pickled cows of modern art, “Nine Elms is full of old hidden local gems such as the National Trust’s 575 Wandsworth Road, Brunswick House restaurant, Bonnington Square and the Tea House Theatre.” Then, of course, there’s the thriving multicultural heritage of Vauxhall (or VoHo as it has been dubbed)

with its vibrant nightlife ranging from the 150 year-old national institution the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to a host of bars and clubs.

In addition to the lure of the area’s cultural appeal, though, is one of the core aspirations of the Mayor’s London Plan; creating jobs. It is estimated that the project has created 22,000 construction jobs, and there will be around 25,000 permanent jobs once construction is complete. One of the fi rst high-profi le openings in the complex will be the US Embassy in 2017. Combined with other nearby government buildings, the embassy’s opening equates to lots of high-net-worth footfall, meaning business overnights and extended stays. Wayne Androliakos, General Manager of Staybridge Suites London-Vauxhall says, “We have already been talking to the Embassy about long-stay guests because they have all kinds of professionals who will need somewhere to stay while they’re working. That’s where we come in.”

Announced four years ago, the Nine Elms on the South Bank redevelopment in London is now well under way. Propelled by the US Embassy’s decision to relocate to the area and Mayor Boris Johnson’s London growth strategy, it has become the biggest project the capital has seen since Stratford’s vast Olympics makeover. With Staybridge Suites® and Holiday Inn Express® hotels already open on the site, and a Crowne Plaza® hotel just signed, we look at why this area in particular was so ripe for regeneration and what opportunities it presents investors.

South Bank ShowThe

It’s going to be truly spectacularHelen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms on the South Bank“It’s going to be truly spectacular“It’s going to be truly spectacular“

It’s going to be truly spectacular“

It’s going to be truly spectacularHelen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms

“Helen Fisher, Programme Director at Nine Elms

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Dignitaries from the Embassy and nearby Houses of Parliament, City-working business professionals, family and friends of students at the Battersea-based Royal College of Arts, wealthy visitors from Asia and the Middle East on extended West End shopping trips; they all have very different accommodation requirements. This makes IHG’s three offerings on the site – Staybridge Suites London-Vauxhall, Holiday Inn Express London-Vauxhall Nine Elms, and Crowne Plaza London-Battersea – a unique chance to establish the brands and profi t from the area’s diverse appeal. Wayne elaborates, “Another great thing about the US Embassy is that Americans already know Staybridge Suites because it’s an established brand in the US, and what we know is Americans will travel for a brand. There could be 100 Caffè Neros on the street and they will walk until they fi nd a Starbucks if that’s what they want. So we’re in a very good position to have so many known brands in the area.”

The Nine Elms on the South Bank regeneration project is not going to be entirely completed until 2030, and prospects continue to grow as new areas are gradually unlocked. Expansion of the Northern Line on London’s Underground to new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea will pay for the £900m investment an estimated nine times over. The numbers speak for themselves. So, with four years down and 16 more to go, it is a mammoth project with vast investment opportunities and, as Helen Fisher concludes, “It’s going to be truly spectacular.”

Number crunch:· 482 acres – the area covered by the

redevelopment program

· 16,000 – new homes

· 2,000 – affordable homes

· 30,000 – new residents

· 22,000 – jobs during construction

· 25,000 – jobs post-construction

· 1,500 – jobs created for local people

· 140% – the percentage at which house prices in the area are likely to rise by 2016*

· £900m – estimated cost of extending the tube network**

· £7.9bn – estimated growth to the UK economy by extending tube links**

· £4.5bn – estimated additional tax revenue by extending tube links**

* Knight Frank estate agents

** Volterra Partners study into economic benefi ts of extending the Northern line, commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) and Wandsworth and Lambeth Councils, 2013.

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Wayne Androliakos Wayne Androliakos is the Director of Extended Stay Operations for Cycas Hospitality, whose portfolio includes Staybridge Suites®

London – Stratford, Liverpool and most recently London – Vauxhall. He has worked in hospitality since fi nishing his A-Levels and, after

moving to the UK from Africa, he became the youngest ever General Manager of Park Plaza hotel. We met up with him to discuss hotel

dogs, English reserve and what the Nine Elms on the South Bank regeneration project in London means for the Staybridge Suites brand.

Where in the expansive Nine Elms, Vauxhall and Battersea development area are the Staybridge Suites® located?

� e beautiful Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens are basically our back yard. � ere’s the Tea House � eatre on one corner and a great gastropub, � e Black Dog, on the other. We’re in a culturally rich neighbourhood which is only going to get better with the new Damien Hirst gallery and all the other artistic plans they have for the area.

What opportunities does the development present?

We opened Staybridge Suites London – Stratford just before the Olympics. At the start it was scary because everyone said it would be full for the Olympics and it would be dead a� erwards. How wrong were they? It’s similar to the Nine Elms on the South Bank regeneration which is only just beginning. � e US Embassy is being built, then we’ve got the whole Battersea Park area, MI6 and Mr James Bond are just round the corner; these are all massive opportunities for us. � e whole development is going to be mind-blowing. � e only problem I can see is that we only have 93 suites. I can imagine we’ll need double that for all the stu� that’s going on!

What is going to make this hotel di� erent to the others?

We are going to get a dog! We were thinking maybe a spaniel, a labradoodle, or basset hound. We’ll get it from a puppy and hotel sta� and guests can take it for walks. We’re also going to make our roofs into green space and are talking about having beehives on some of them. Architects are re-introducing an element of greenery to the area that’s been lost for too long.

How do you make an extended stay brand successful?

We have taken all of the good things about staying in a hotel and staying in a serviced apartment and fused them together. We aim to be home from home, with sta� like an extended family. In Liverpool, people used to come down for breakfast in their pyjamas. You imagine the English as so reserved, but here they were in their PJs at breakfast! � e Staybridge Suites concept is ‘Welcome home’ and you don’t get much more at home than that.

� e whole development is going to be mind-blowing. � e only problem

I can see is that we only have 93 suites. I can imagine we’ll need

double that for all the stu� that’s going on!“� e whole development is going to “� e whole development is going to

be mind-blowing. � e only problem “be mind-blowing. � e only problem

“93 suites. I can imagine we’ll need

“93 suites. I can imagine we’ll need

double that for all the stu�

“double that for all the stu�

Nine Elms on the South Bank regeneration project:

interview

‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’MEAN TO YOU?

It de� nitely comes down to people. We always talk about investing in revenue management,

in sales, in marketing, but you can build a hotel with gold bullion bricks but if you don’t get the

right people, it’s not going to succeed.

WHAT DOES

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IHG® is one of the world’s leading hotel companies. Our scale, experience and dedication to quality ensure that your next growth opportunity will be supported every step of the way: from signing, through the design phase, to opening and operating a successful hotel.

Whether you choose to franchise with us, or opt for an IHG management agreement, the diversity of our brand portfolio allows IHG hotels to meet guest needs whatever the occasion – ultimately adding up to better returns on your investment.

To fi nd out more about developing your hotel with IHG, visit www.ihg.com/development

IHG hotels host over 161 million guest nights per annum in over 693,000 rooms in over 4,700 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.*

*Data correct as at 30 June 2014.

Your next growth opportunit y

Staybridge Suites London – Stratford City

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� ese neighbourhoods are the city’s nooks and crannies; the pockets of culture that combine to make

a city great.“� ese neighbourhoods are the city’s “� ese neighbourhoods are the city’s

“of culture that combine to make

“of culture that combine to make

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Hotel Indigo®... A decade of pioneering branded boutique

Hotel Indigo® Paris – OperaCurtains up, it’s show time…

Hotel Indigo® Kensington – Earls CourtInnovative interiors and locally cra� ed cuisine…

This year the Hotel Indigo® brand celebrates its 10th anniversary and has marked its 60th global opening with a new hotel in Paris. So how has this baby brand grown into a major player in the traditionally independent boutique market? And what is this ‘neighbourhood story’ we keep hearing about?

Over the last decade Hotel Indigo has become the go-to branded boutique, with the contemporary edge guests expect from a boutique, delivered with the reliable quality of a brand. Since launching in Europe in 2008, Hotel Indigo has established itself in only the most culturally rich districts of Europe’s major cities, where the surrounding area and local community are central to the hotel’s vision. It seems only natural then that the neighbourhood story forms part of the brand’s DNA and connects guests to the city they’re visiting.

Defi ned as the area up to 15 minutes walking distance from the hotel, these neighbourhoods are the city’s nooks and crannies; the pockets of culture that combine to make a city great. From the cotton trade heritage of Liverpool to the diamond district of Tel Aviv, Hotel Indigo tells the neighbourhood story through murals, interior design and a tailored food and beverage offering. Karan Khanna, Vice President, Head of Design & Engineering Europe tells us, “The neighbourhood story is front and centre to how the entire hotel experience is designed.”

We look at the two key hotels, Kensington and Paris which, as great representations of the brand, point to the future of this evolving brand and its increased focus on the neighbourhood story.

Building on the foundations of this most stylish of London boroughs and its multicultural entertainment scene, Hotel Indigo Kensington combines innovative interiors with craft cuisine. Culinary gem the Kensington Quarter providing guests and locals with a unique deli, restaurant and bar in one.

The neighbourhood story lies at the core of the hotel, with artwork crafted by local talent and locally sourced produce for the Kensington Quarter restaurant.

Valeria Zilkha, co-founder of London’s boutique restaurant chain the Quarter Group elaborates, “Access to the Kensington Quarter is not exclusively through the hotel, because one of the main aims is to attract locals along with hotel guests. We want a guest to look in, see a group of locals eating lunch and come in because there is a genuine community feel. Locals should feel at home and guests should feel like they are in a real neighbourhood.”

That neighbourhood includes London’s original boho coffee house The Troubadour, Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre and a bit further afi eld the shopping mecca of Kings Road, the museums and galleries of South Kensington and of course Kensington Palace and Gardens. The city’s third outing for the brand, Hotel Indigo London Kensington – Earl’s Court is perfectly positioned to capture the boutique market of west London.

As the 60th global opening for Hotel Indigo – and France’s fi rst – it’s only right that there is a sense of drama surrounding Hotel Indigo Paris – Opera. And situated in the heart of theatre, ballet and opera districts, it doesn’t get more dramatic than this. It took developers years to fi nd the right site in the right neighbourhood and a further seven months to refurb the 57 rooms, which are huge in size for Paris, and a massive draw for guests.

Respected designer Jean-Philippe Nuel can be credited with the sophisticated fi nish that befi ts the neighbourhood, with interior design shining a spotlight on the architecture of Les Grands Boulevards. And, as is the way forward for Hotel Indigo, the separate restaurant - serving decadent tartare and wine - appeals to both locals and guests. Jean-Philippe Perrouty-Henin, Head of Architecture Design, Europe said, “We want to have an impact on the neighbourhood as well as refl ect what it is

about. We want to play an active role in the community not just passively serve it. That is why the F&B is so important. It is a key opportunity to engage local people.”

With around 27 million people fl ocking to the City of Light every year, Hotel Indigo Paris – Opera has the prime opportunity to tap into a growing number of those visitors looking to stay in a boutique with a difference.

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Valeria ZilkhaValeria Zilkha co-founded the Quarter Group with her husband in 2006. This November, their

fi fth Quarter restaurant, the Kensington Quarter, opens as part of Hotel Indigo® Kensington.

Valeria tells us why Hotel Indigo® and the Quarter Group make such a great couple.

How did you get involved with Hotel Indigo®?

We had a meeting and IHG listened to everything that made us unique and it became clear that the Quarter Group’s philosophy of Growing Local Community and the Hotel Indigo neighbourhood story were right for each other. There was an obvious synergy there from the start. It was almost destiny!

What makes the Kensington Quarter different?

There has been a huge infl ux of French to the area, so we have made it a cafe, bar, restaurant, deli. It is a food emporium! Locals will love it and hotel guests will love it because it is authentic. We source a lot of local produce and we have got these two local brothers who pick up the best cheeses and the best chocolates. What’s best is the chocolate is organic and 74% cocoa, so it’s actually good for you!

How does this differ from any normal hotel F&B offering?To appeal to locals, the Kensington Quarter needed to have a separate entrance to the hotel. If I am walking in the street and I see a restaurant in a hotel, I don’t walk into the hotel to eat there. I would however, if they were next to one another, so that is what we did. We separated them, but also kept a private entrance especially for the hotel, so guests really do feel special. It is like their very own piece of the neighbourhood.

What was it like working with IHG® on this project?

When IHG designers showed us their plans for the Kensington Quarter, it was like one of our very own guys had designed it. It was incredible and such a relief to see how we are so aligned as brands naturally. I only have the highest praise for every single person I worked with at IHG.

How have you made the Quarter Group such a success?

A lot of the success I have experienced is through the people. My husband and I have inspiration, team leadership, vision and we have the Quarter DNA within us, but it’s only by surrounding ourselves with a team of people who also understand it, that we are successful.

We are so aligned as brands… � ere was an obvious synergy

there from the start. It was almost destiny!“We are so aligned as brands… “We are so aligned as brands…

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Food & Beverage…

WHAT DOES ‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’

MEAN TO YOU?To personalise hospitality and bring it back into the forefront of a business model. Everybody has

become a number, and treating people as special is so important in hospitality. We need to reverse the

process of people being numbers and go back to basics, treat people as humans and

nourish communities.

To personalise hospitality and bring it back into the forefront of a business model. Everybody has

become a number, and treating people as special is so important in hospitality. We need to reverse the

process of people being numbers and go back to basics, treat people as humans and

nourish communities.

18

No.1 Hotel for F&B

InterContinentalParis – Le Grand

15,000BATHS OF MILK

PROCURED BY

DINNERIS MORE

PROFITABLETHAN

BREAKFAST

ROOMSERVICE

MAKES MORE MONEY

THAN THE MINI-BAR

F&B REPRESENTSA SIGNIFICANT

REVENUEOPPORTUNITY

WHAT DOES “SHAPING OUR FUTURE” MEAN TO YOU?

Each year across all IHG branded hotels in Europe, we host 37 million guests at our food & beverage outlets. This presents a huge opportunity to deliver great service that will help build preference for our brands. From welcoming guests to a table with a view, to offering fresh menu choices and engaging them with the design of our restaurants, we have a great opportunity to invest in our people and energise our brands. Because increasing food & beverage revenue is such a huge opportunity, we’re encouraging all hotels across Europe to do one more thing per day to drive the performance of their F&B.

15MILLIONGUESTS

SERVED IN OUR RESTAURANTS

MORE THAN THE POPULATION OF CAMBODIA

SAUSAGESCONSUMED

THAT’S 2 LAPSOF THE M25

3.2MILLION

IN OUR CENTRALLY MANAGED HOTELS IN EUROPE 2014

Dinner represents a third of our F&B revenue but 50% of our guests don’t dine in.

We’re encouraging hotels to do one more thing each day to deliver great service and drive the performance of their F&B.

Simon Burdess is Vice President Food & Beverage, Europe

MATTERS

POTATO CHIPSWILL BE EATEN

90 MILL

ION

19

Holiday Inn®

LAST YEARHoliday Inn® Open Lobby

went from research to

reality. So how have guests

reacted to the new-look

public space and what

does it mean for the future

of Holiday Inn?

Open Lobby

20

Great Hotels Guests Love… But what makes a good hotel great?

A DESIGN FOR LIFE LET THE NUMBERS DO THE TALKING

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

‘‘

‘‘

Not only has food and beverage operating profi t risen from Open Lobby, but on average, guests are staying twice as long as before.

Holiday Inn has been a hugely successful brand for IHG across the world, and the aim of Open Lobby has always been to refresh what was already a winning business model. It is about innovation and improving guest experience with what can be seen as the most visited, yet underused space in a hotel: the lobby. Karan Khanna, Vice President, Head of Design & Engineering, Europe tells us, “When I look at the Open Lobby as a guest, what grabs me is it doesn’t feel like a hotel and that is good! I think the problem is that hotels create these bland spaces and these cavernous rooms for breakfast and after that they don’t get used. It’s very diffi cult to create a sense of space and, importantly, a sense of use.”

Open Lobby changes the structure of all that. By combining front desk, lobby, business centre, restaurant and bar into a cohesive, open design with a residential feel, you have an area of what was once redundant space suddenly being used. The challenge was to make it convenient to guests, without feeling cluttered or invasive. “We want it to feel like you can do whatever you want around the lobbies without it feeling either too busy or like one big empty hall.” Karan continues, “It is all about options and solutions, not just refreshing the look and feel. The aim is to make guests feel at home, and therefore less likely to leave the hotel to perform their daily routine.” After all, increased length of stay creates more opportunities to capture spend.

When you see the stats, it’s safe to say, staff are doing the Open Lobby justice. Two early adopters in the UK, Holiday Inn London-Brentford Lock and Holiday Inn London-Camden Lock showed increases in F&B operating profi t of 42% and 70% respectively. An impressive 100% (up from 38%) of those guests said that if Open Lobby was available in all Holiday Inn hotels they would be more likely to choose Holiday Inn over a different brand.

Every square metre of a hotel is a valuable asset and Holiday Inn Open Lobby makes the most of that asset, maximising its use and encouraging profi ts. Karan rounds up, “Open Lobby has innovation on its side and all the elements that make up Open Lobby – the Media Lounges, bar, To Go Café, dining area, E-Bar, and so on – they all make the area more contemporary and more inviting to guests and investors alike.”

FACT: The fi rst three Open Lobby hotels were ranked in the UK Heartbeat survey as Top 10 for Overall Experience, Top 5 for Overall Design/Ambiance of the bar and Top 15 for The Kitchen F&B concept.

One way of capturing that spend has been through the expansion of food and beverage. The To Go Café and The Kitchen all-day dining menu offer meals that mirror high street dining trends, are simple to prepare and optimise costs and margins. Since the restaurant started offering a larger range of food at lower prices, volumes have dramatically increased. Karan explains, “We’ve seen volumes rise and revenue increase even though the actual unit price is down. That shows that when you deliver value for money people will respond.”

F&B has also evolved to mirror guest habits. A key example is the Media Lounge and the in-house Starbucks or leading local coffee brand refl ecting daily habits and comforts. Technology has mobilised people and, today, your average guest is completely comfortable to sit in a café with their laptop and lunch. It’s about making staying in more attractive than going out. And it’s working. Not only has F&B operating profi t risen, but on average, guests are staying twice as long as before, which is no mean feat. Add to that, the 92% satisfaction rates and Holiday Inn has itself a recipe for success.

“You have to invest in the staff to do the Open Lobby experience justice though,” Karan insists. Indeed, a pretty lobby and impressive F&B can only take you so far. The third part of Open Lobby’s success comes down to the people. “If you do not have trained staff, proper chefs, the right quality of food, you can have the most beautiful looking public space and it will still bomb because you can’t get away from poor service delivery.”

21

ROADSHOWS Across the patch We’re present in the market, hosting IHG® briefi ng meetings in key development hotspots such as London, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Moscow and Warsaw.

To get the message out about the support we provide to owners and operators, IHG also participates in signifi cant industry conferences such as the Russian Hotel Investment Conference in Moscow, the International Hotel Investment Conference in Berlin, the Central Asia and Turkey Investment Conference in Istanbul, Expo Real in Munich and many more. Here are some pictures of the team in action.

22

Across the patch

23

CONFERENCES AND INVESTOR ROADSHOWS24

CONFERENCES AND INVESTOR ROADSHOWS25

Philippe Bijaoui leads the development of IHG®’s six hotel brands in Europe. His career has spanned both sides of the negotiating table.

Prior to working at IHG he was Vice President of Development at Carlson Rezidor, Managing Director at HVS Madrid and also served as Asset

Manager and Developer for Paris-based SIH and Director of Acquisitions for City Hotels. Philippe holds an MBA from Cornell Essec and lives in

Brussels with his wife and two children.

What was your fi rst job?I was night security in a small hotel in Toulouse. It was a weekend job to save money to buy a car. I was 17 and the car I bought was Peugeot 204 1965 – the year I was born!

What is your average day?I wake up early, usually 6:00-6:30am. I like the morning; it is when I am most effi cient. I can think. I don’t eat breakfast, I only drink coffee. I relax by spending time with my family and I love cooking. My signature dish is boeuf bourguignon. I like to go to three or four different grocery stores for the best ingredients. I enjoy the human interaction you have in small shops or open air markets that you don’t have in supermarkets. I always make a point of visiting food markets when I travel.

What is the key to succeeding in hospitality?I think it is important to be passionate about pleasing guests. It’s the same in operations or development or anywhere in hospitality – the satisfaction comes in pleasing guests and creating value.

What is more important in business; head or heart?Heart. I think if you put your heart into what you do, you build mutual trust and emotional bonds which creates a favourable environment for business. The head comes later. It has to be there, of course, to be balanced, logical, strategic and profi table, but I would always start with the heart and the head follows.

What was your most memorable day as a developer?It was when I went to the opening of the fi rst deal I signed because it was my fi rst experience of that feeling where you start with a big hole in the ground and then you end up checking into a beautiful hotel. Signing a deal is a piece of paper, but when you actually check in and see that all your ideas during the development period have materialised and the hotel is beautiful and successful, it is very satisfying.

� e future is totally linked to innovation and we have to be the

� rst to bring this innovation to life in our industry.“� e future is totally linked to “� e future is totally linked to

innovation and we have to be the “innovation and we have to be the � rst to bring this innovation to “� rst to bring this innovation to

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“innovation and we have to be the

� rst to bring this innovation to

“� rst to bring this innovation to

life in our industry.

“life in our industry.

30 seconds with…

WHAT DOES ‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’

MEAN TO YOU?

Philippe Bijaoui, Vice President of Development, Europe

For me it is about laying the foundation to become the most innovative company in the industry. � e future is totally linked to innovation and we have to be the � rst to bring this innovation to life in our industry. Focus, dedication and passion to overcome obstacles. We need to be brave and willing to try new things.

Philippe Bijaoui

26

Could you describe what the Owners Association is?

The IHG Owners Association is the independent organisation that represents the interests of nearly 2,000 owners and operators of more than 3,000 IHG® brand hotels in Europe, the United States, Africa, Asia Pacifi c, Canada, Latin America, Mexico and the Middle East.

The Association is the owners’ voice to IHG. Our organisation is comprised of owners of IHG properties throughout the world, working hand-in-hand to improve the profi tability of our hotels, strengthen our system and exchange ideas and best practices. The Association works together with IHG to maintain the highest professional hospitality standards for its brands.

How do you support owners?

The IHG Owners Association supports its owner members in three key areas. We:

• Advocate, ensuring that we represent the long-term interests of our diverse membership to IHG, to the industry and to our communities.

• Collaborate, with IHG and with each other to bring innovative ideas and comprehensive resources to bear for the success of IHG’s brands and our individual businesses.

• Educate, providing fi nancial, leadership and operational tools and information that enrich our unique brand culture and help ensure the optimum engagement and performance of both our members and their employees.

What makes membership in the IHG Owners Association such a unique offering?

Among the unique features of the IHG Owners Association is our highly collaborative, yet direct and independent relationship with IHG.

We share a mission statement with IHG that focuses on “working better together to enhance owner returns,” a goal which is accomplished through fulfi llment of our core values: representation, transparency, accountability, ethics and integrity, collaboration and strategy, and innovation. Our partnership with IHG is built on shared goals, mutual respect and an open, honest exchange of ideas and opinions.

Our unique Board and Committee structures are aligned to implement the mutual strategic priorities of IHG and the Owners Association. These priorities drive specifi c goals, actions and accountability. The Committee structure also facilitates maximum participation and engagement by individual owners in the work of the Association and assures comprehensive representation and input from our diverse membership.

What projects are you working on?

The projects we have undertaken in Europe align with the global priorities of the Owners Association and IHG and fall under fi ve main headings: Brands, Standards, Tools, People and operating as a Responsible Business. Within the Brands category, this year we are implementing a completely revised, enhanced set of standards for each of the IHG brands that fully refl ect the input of our Country and Regional Committees, as well as our Standards, Marketing and IT Committees. We have also completed adoption of a comprehensive and innovative set of key revenue tools such as appropriate processing of Guest Review responses, enhancing enrollment and member recognition for the IHG Rewards Club and effective email capture. We also have also increased to 97% the adoption rate by hotels in Europe of IHG’s proprietary Wish Want Walk process for maximising positive outcomes from corporate rate renegotiations during RFP season.

WHAT DOES ‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’

MEAN TO YOU?

Chairman of the Europe Committee of the IHG® Owners Association and Managing Director of PREM Group.

Patrick De Peuter

� e IHG Owners Association and IHG have set an ambitious shared goal of creating a culture that supports our becoming Number One in Europe with guests, owners and sta� . Achieving that objective will require outstanding leadership. So, for me, ‘Shaping Our Future’ means focusing our respective teams on the leadership skills that will allow us to win—performance accountability, empowerment of our people, and thoughtful, strategic planning for the journey ahead of us.

27

2014

28

HOLIDAY INN LONDON – HEATHROW T5, UK26 September 2014Recently refurbished Holiday Inn London - Heathrow T5, located in the historic village of Colnbrook and Poyle, offers 119 superior bedrooms and a 24-hour gym. Guests can wind down and have fun in the Open Lobby, where they can enjoy the all-day dining menu, grab a Starbucks or a midnight snack after a long day.

HOTEL INDIGO PARIS – OPERA, France17 September 2014Located in a charming pedestrian street just next to Place de l’Opéra in a thriving business area, the elegantly renovated 4-star boutique Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera offers 57 vibrant and spacious guest rooms, including 12 suites and duplex apartments, some overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

HOLIDAY INN LONDON – WEST, UK18 August 2014Holiday Inn London - West is conveniently located just 15 minutes from central London and 35 minutes from Heathrow Airport. In addition to stylish bedrooms with fl oor-to ceiling windows and fantastic views of the London skyline, the hotel also features an Open Lobby and conference rooms with an open roof terrace.

HOLIDAY INN CARDIFF – NORTH M4, JCT. 32, UK25 July 2014This 95 bedroom contemporary hotel is situated within easy reach of countless popular tourist destinations including Castell Coch and Cardiff City Centre. Guests can relax and unwind in the Health Central Fitness & Health Club which includes a 10m indoor pool, jacuzzi spa bath, sauna, steam room and well equipped gym.

HOLIDAY INN DUMFRIES, UK16 June 2014The hotel is set within the picturesque Crichton Estate, surrounded by fabulous views of Dumfries and Galloway and attractions such as Caerlaverock Castle and Sweetheart Abbey. There are plenty of cosy corners to unwind in the comfortable lounge and onsite dining at Marco Pierre White Wheeler’s of St. James’s restaurant.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS STRASBOURG – CENTRE, France19 May 2014Holiday Inn Express Strasbourg - Centre boasts 148 large bedrooms and is perfectly positioned to discover Strasbourg’s gothic Cathedral and the Petite France district. Thanks to its close proximity to the Germany/France border it is also excellently located for guests wishing to visit the German cities of Kehl and Offenbourg.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AMSTERDAM – ARENA TOWERS, The Netherlands16 May 2014The 323 room Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam - Arena Towers is located next to the Holiday Inn Amsterdam - Arena Towers, a short distance from famous sites like Dam Square, Anne Frank House and the popular city centre.

HOLIDAY INN AMSTERDAM – ARENA TOWERS, The Netherlands16 May 2014Ideally located in Amsterdam Southeast - the most upcoming entertainment area of Amsterdam - home to a plethora of restaurants, bars, shops and tourist attractions, the Holiday Inn Amsterdam - Arena Towers offers 120 rooms, 1000 square metres of meeting and event space and an Open Lobby serving Starbucks coffee.

NEW OPENINGS

29

HOLIDAY INN GAZIANTEP – SEHITKAMIL, Turkey2 May 2014Set in the heart of Gaziantep’s modern commercial and medical district, the modern design of the Holiday Inn Gaziantep - Sehitkamil combines well-being with great functionality. The hotel boasts 93 spacious and elegantly decorated rooms and suites, a spa and the fantastic No: 8 Bar & Restaurant.

HOTEL INDIGO MADRID – GRAN VIA, Spain9 April 2014Situated in the nerve centre of downtown Madrid, Hotel Indigo Madrid – Gran Via is just a few steps from Gran Vía street, the most vibrant and cosmopolitan strip in the capital. The luxurious design is inspired by the local neighbourhood. Visitors can experience delicious Mediterranean cuisine in the Gastrobar & Restaurant and cocktails on the rooftop terrace.

HOLIDAY INN BERLIN – CITY EAST SIDE, Germany4 April 2014Germany’s capital welcomes Holiday Inn Berlin - City East Side, located next to the East Side Gallery - the longest remaining part of the Berlin wall. The hotel showcases the brand’s best feature: a comfortable Open Lobby; the home from home where guests can relax, work, play, eat and drink at their leisure.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS MANCHESTER AIRPORT, UK21 March 2014Holiday Inn Express Manchester Airport is suitably located near to Manchester International Airport with a transfer time of less than fi ve minutes to any of the terminal buildings. The hotel has 199 spacious bedrooms all of which feature contemporary decor and a large walk-in power shower.

HOTEL INDIGO ROME – ST. GEORGE, Italy20 March 2014Hotel Indigo Rome - St. George is a superb base from which to explore marvels such as St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel. Stylish modern interiors blend perfectly with important historical testimony. During the summer months, restaurant and bar move to the rooftop terrace with a stunning 360° vista of the Eternal City.

HOTEL INDIGO ST. PETERSBURG – TCHAIKOVSKOGO, Russia12 March 2014Located on Tchaikovskogo Street, just 10 minutes from the famous Nevskiy Prospect, the Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg - Tchaikovskogo boasts 119 historically themed rooms. Guests can indulge and rejuvenate their senses after long day’s sightseeing at the spa or refresh with a leisurely swim in the pool.

HOLIDAY INN DARLINGTON – NORTH A1M, JCT.59, UK28 February 2014Holiday Inn Darlington - North is ideal for business travellers, with four air-conditioned meeting rooms, versatile mini-gym, well equipped bedrooms with work space and complimentary Wi-Fi. After a busy day, guests can chill out in the comfortable and stylish Open Lobby, bar and restaurant.

CROWNE PLAZA BARCELONA – FIRA CENTER, Spain19 February 2014Crowne Plaza Barcelona - Fira Center is set in the heart of Montjuïc, one of the most culturally rich areas of the city. A popular choice for business travellers, the hotel features guest rooms that are considered the largest in the city and a signifi cant selection of meeting and conference rooms.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HEIDELBERG – CITY CENTRE, Germany10 February 2014Situated in a contemporary building on a lively avenue of bars and restaurants, the Holiday Inn Express Heidelberg - City Centre offers 152 comfy air-conditioned bedrooms, a peaceful summer terrace and is just a short stroll away from the historic Old Town.

CROWNE PLAZA LYON – CITÉ INTERNATIONALE, France7 February 2014Crowne Plaza Lyon - Cité Internationale is just steps away from Lyon’s largest Congress Centre. Adept at hosting seminars and conferences, the hotel offers business travellers an array of services and facilities. At the end of a long day, guests can relax at Le Backstage bar, or sample the gastronomic delights at La Scene.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ROME – EAST, Italy5 February 2014Holiday Inn Express Rome - East provides a shuttle service between the hotel and the nearest underground stop allowing guests to easily reach all the famous attractions of the city such as the amazing Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna. All 86 rooms are equipped with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi.

HOLIDAY INN ROME – PISANA, Italy29 January 2014The buffet breakfast at Holiday Inn Rome - Pisana gives sightseers the energy they need for an intensive day exploring the Eternal City. On return to the hotel, guests can unwind in the Lounge Bar with a refreshing cocktail and sample the daily special menu in The Hub Lounge or The Terminal Restaurant.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DIJON, France23 January 2014In the capital of Burgundy, the Holiday Inn Express Dijon welcomes guests to its 84 rooms, equipped with comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. The train station is only three miles away, connecting Dijon with many major European cities. In the summer, guests can go for a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS EDINBURGH AIRPORT, UK7 January 2014Conveniently located right next to Edinburgh International Airport, with a shuttle bus taking less than fi ve minutes to reach the main terminal building, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport is also an ideal base whilst touring Scotland’s best attractions including Edinburgh Castle and the Highlands.

30

CROWNE PLAZA BELGRADE, Serbia31 December 2013Crowne Plaza Belgrade is the ideal venue for convention guests, as the hotel connects directly into Sava Centar, the biggest conference centre in Belgrade. With 12 distinct function rooms and a total of 1,300 sqm fl exible meeting space, the hotel has the largest event capacity in Serbia for corporate functions.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LISBON – AV. LIBERDADE, Portugal27 December 2013A charming contemporary and stylish approach to accommodation, Holiday Inn Express Lisbon - Av. Liberdade is set in the heart of the city in Avenida da Liberdade, home to fashionable mansions, cafés, theatres and designer boutiques.

INTERCONTINENTAL DAVOS, Switzerland19 December 2013InterContinental Davos is set in the spectacular Graubünden Alps, 1,600 metres above sea level. The 216 well appointed and spacious rooms boast mountain and valley views. A modern, warm alpine feel is refl ected in the interiors creating an atmosphere of quiet elegance, privacy and comfort.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS MANISA – WEST, Turkey5 December 2013Holiday Inn Express Manisa - West is the fi rst internationally branded hotel in Manisa, offering 102 beautifully appointed guest rooms designed to satisfy expectations of both business and leisure travellers and ensure a comfortable stay.

HOLIDAY INN NOLA – NAPLES VULCANO BUONO, Italy3 December 2013Holiday Inn Nola - Naples Vulcano Buono is situated in the centre of popular shopping and leisure destination Vulcano Buono. Guests can sample delicious food & wine at Vesevo Restaurant & Lounge Bar.

STAYBRIDGE SUITES BIRMINGHAM, UK2 December 2013Staybridge Suites Birmingham is a warm and friendly home-from-home in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, just fi ve minutes walk from the world-class Bullring Shopping Centre and the stunning architecture of the city’s beautiful New Street. All 179 suites contain fi tted kitchenettes, dining/work desks and en-suite bathrooms.

HOTEL INDIGO DÜSSELDORF – VICTORIAPLATZ, Germany2 December 2013Hotel Indigo Düsseldorf - Victoriaplatz is based in the middle of a fashion mecca and has lots to offer guests, including 126 light spacious air-conditioned rooms with custom designed furniture and plush bedding, an idyllic garden terrace, delicious Mediterranean food in the kitchen & bar and a well equipped gym.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AFFOLTERN AM ALBIS, Switzerland10 October 2013The Holiday Inn Express Affoltern am Albis is located between Zurich and Zug, making it the ideal hotel for both business and leisure guests wishing to visit Zurich. All 102 rooms are well equipped and offer free wireless high-speed internet, free coffee and tea making facilities and a choice of pillows.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS NEUNKIRCHEN, Germany7 October 2013Holiday Inn Express Neunkirchen, the fi rst IHG hotel in the Saarland, allows visitors to combine a stay in the centre of this beautiful city with musical shows and shopping in the Saarpark-Center. To escape the city’s bustle, there is the city zoo, as well as numerous restaurants, cafes and parks close by.

HOLIDAY INN HUNTINGDON – RACECOURSE, UK30 September 2013Set in the scenic grounds of its namesake, Holiday Inn Huntingdon - Racecourse offers value and comfort as standard, with 98 stylish and spacious air conditioned bedrooms. The hotel showcases the brand’s revolutionary Open Lobby and has three dedicated meeting rooms with services to ensure a smooth meeting or social gathering.

CROWNE PLAZA EDINBURGH – ROYAL TERRACE, UK15 August 2013Located in Edinburgh’s City Centre is the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace with stunning views towards the Firth of Forth. The hotel is part of an impressive terrace of prestigious Georgian townhouses which have retained many original features. A short and enjoyable walk from the hotel leads you to Princes Street and the views of Edinburgh Castle.

HOLIDAY INN MADRID – LAS TABLAS, Spain15 August 2013Holiday Inn Madrid - Las Tablas is located in the heart of the business district. The hotel features 132 welcoming guest rooms including suites and executive rooms, 24-hour gym and sauna, chic lobby bar and restaurant offering Mediterranean gastronomy and a shuttle service between the hotel and Barajas International Airport.

HOTEL INDIGO TEL AVIV – DIAMOND DISTRICT, Israel12 August 2013The urban design of Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv - Diamond District is inspired by Art-Deco re-interpretation of the world’s most precious stone - the diamond. Throughout the hotel, there are captivating design features and accents paying homage to this precious gem and the local neighbourhood.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BIRMINGHAM – SNOW HILL, UK18 June 2013Holiday Inn Express Birmingham - Snow Hill boasts 224 spacious and contemporary air-conditioned bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a family day out at nearby attractions such as Cadbury World, Sea Life Centre and Drayton Manor Theme Park.

INTERCONTINENTAL MARSEILLE – HOTEL DIEU, France3 May 2013InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu is perfectly located overlooking the Vieux Port, adjacent to the oldest district in Marseille known as the Panier. The hotel is housed in a listed historical monument dating back to the 18th century and features a spectacular terrace, where visitors can relax while admiring the view.

NEW OPENINGS2013

31

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ROTTERDAM – CENTRAL STATION, The Netherlands3 May 2013The location of Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam - Central Station is unbeatable; right in the city centre, next to Rotterdam Central Station and within easy reach of the main shopping areas. The hotel offers a modern lobby and bar, where guests can relax with friends and colleagues.

CROWNE PLAZA EDINBURGH – THE ROXBURGHE, UK19 April 2013Located on Charlotte Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Edinburgh’s City Centre, Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - The Roxburghe is centrally located for business or leisure guests. Dine in the George Street Bar & Grill, a vibrant space where you can relax and enjoy dishes bursting with fl avour.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ARNHEM, The Netherlands12 April 2013Located next to Rozet, a culture and knowledge centre, and only a few minutes from Stadium Gelredome, home of SC Vitesse, the Holiday Inn Express Arnhem offers a contemporary Great Room and bar, where guests can enjoy an inclusive continental breakfast daily.

HOLIDAY INN MADRID – CALLE ALCALA, Spain12 March 2013Holiday Inn Madrid - Calle Alcala is a mere 15 minutes metro ride from Madrid City Centre and all its famous tourist attractions. Featuring 261 comfortable guest rooms including Junior Suites, 17 meeting rooms, a restaurant and Bar-Café, the hotel lends itself to both business and leisure travellers.

HOTEL INDIGO BARCELONA – PLAZA CATALUNYA, Spain1 February 2013The smart exterior of Hotel Indigo Barcelona - Plaza Catalunya subtly blends in with the other buildings in the street, but the bold, Gaudi-inspired lobby mural offers a glimpse of the hotel’s deep connections with the neighbourhood. Alongside the comforts expected of a boutique hotel, there are bold patterned fabrics, artwork depicting local buildings and rooms which subtly refl ect the history of the city.

HOLIDAY INN LÜBECK, Germany1 February 2013Holiday Inn Lübeck offers the optimal setting for business and leisure guests with 159 comfy rooms, 10 fl exible event rooms, a spacious fi tness and wellness area with heated pool and two saunas. The onsite Kochwerk Lübeck Restaurant is uniquely designed and boasts an adjacent sun terrace.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS THE HAGUE – PARLIAMENT, The Netherlands21 December 2012Holiday Inn Express The Hague - Parliament is ideally located in the heart of The Hague, next to the Dutch House of Parliament. The area is popular for its diversity of shopping and dining and offers a wide range of museums to explore in down time.

HOTEL INDIGO LONDON KENSINGTON – EARL’S COURT, UK10 December 2012Hotel Indigo London Kensington - Earl’s Court is set in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea located 150 metres from Earl’s Court Tube Station. The Victorian Mansion Bar & Parlour specialises in delicious and inventive Molecular cocktails.

HOLIDAY INN ANKARA – KAVAKLIDERE, Turkey28 November 2012The Holiday Inn Ankara - Kavaklidere stands out with its wonderful location and charming interior design with luxurious and elegant furnishings, ensuring great guest comfort. The top quality onsite restaurant serves delicious international cuisine.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HARLOW, UK7 November 2012Holiday Inn Express Harlow offers 122 guest rooms over four fl oors, three meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology and a vibrant lounge which is open till late.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ROTHERHAM – NORTH, UK5 November 2012The Holiday Inn Express Rotherham - North offers modern, convenient accommodation for business and leisure guests. The hotel houses 130 rooms with fi rst class amenities including fi ve meeting rooms ideal for small events.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS SHREWSBURY, UK2 November 2012Situated just two miles from the historic town centre of Shrewsbury and the world famous Shrewsbury Abbey, is the Holiday Inn Express Shrewsbury, perfectly situated for guests wishing to visit the Welsh countryside.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BRAINTREE, UK2 November 2012Featuring 76 bedrooms, the Holiday Inn Express Braintree is ideally located 15 miles from Stansted Airport and less than 45 minutes from Central London. The hotel is also within easy reach of attractions such as Freeport, a designer outlet village, and Braintree Golf Club.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BIRMINGHAM – STAR CITY, UK1 November 2012The Holiday Inn Express Birmingham - Star City is three miles from Birmingham City Centre, opposite Star City Entertainment Complex and 20 minutes from the NEC. With fantastic links to the motorway network, the hotel is an ideal base for both business travellers and leisure guests alike.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AUGSBURG, Germany29 October 2012The Holiday Inn Express Augsburg is ideally located on the Nagahama-Allee and only a few minutes walk from the beautiful city centre. The hotels design is modern fused with traditional rustic elements inspired by the Bavarian setting.

HOLIDAY INN SOUTHEND, UK1 October 2012The Holiday Inn Southend provides guests with a convenient base to explore the traditional seaside pleasures along the seven glorious miles of seafront. The 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar offers fantastic panoramic views out across the Essex countryside and the stunning interior offers a light, bright experience, with outstanding service to complement the fl avours on the menu.

NEW OPENINGS2012

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Angela Brav, Chief Executive Officer, Europe“The amount and velocity of change in the world is increasing every day and therefore we are always preparing ourselves for the future. Ensuring that we are doing everything we can to be successful in this rapidly evolving environment is the key to success in the future.”

Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, Europe“To me, ‘Shaping Our Future’ means agreeing how we will act and what we will do to win in the future, together. There is clearly a need to be even more aligned; to drive common adoption of platforms that drive performance, to continue the drive for quality and consistency and to shape our value proposition to be the best we can be. I also believe that it is not a new thing, or something for tomorrow... we’ve started already and just have to keep improving.”

Thomas Goval, Assistant Manager Hotel Indigo Paris-Opera and graduate of the IHG Future Leaders Programme“To be number one for our guests, teams and owners. In operations this means owning the floor, facing our guests, listening to them and delivering on-the-spot service recovery. We should be available to spend time with our guests. Operational leaders can create a unique experience for guests, which creates trust and loyalty for our brands.”

Karan Khanna, Vice President Head of Design & Engineering, Europe“We’re an industry that is constantly evolving and the level of competition is a huge catalyst for change. It’s hugely motivating to be in a place where you can influence that change. Our approach to innovation needs to be aggressive to ensure we not only continue to be successful, but constantly improve.”

Michael Walsh, Director, Capital Projects, Europe“Growth. Growth is our primary goal and whilst it’s ever important to sign new deals, if we allow our existing estate to fall behind, we’ll start to lose some of those from the system, so ostensibly we wouldn’t really be growing. We need to look after that existing estate to make sure they are the foundation on which we sign new hotels. Strong foundations enable growth.”

Gilles Goasdoue, Head of New Hotel Openings, Europe“To open even greater hotels efficiently, generating strong revenue streams for owners and delighting our guests. The environment we work in evolves constantly, with rising expectations from our hotel owners, team members working in the hotel and IHG. To accommodate this pace of change we need to adapt our operations and service delivery to ensure the hotel is a success from the day it opens its doors.”

JP Perrouty-Henin, Head of Architecture Design, Europe“Innovation is something we should be constantly reviewing. We cannot claim to be innovative and then not do anything new for the next five years. If we can get clarity on what the different experience is for each brand, then we know how to evolve that brand to the next stage.”

Emma Lindsay, Head of Interior Design, Europe“It’s all about design and innovation. We’re working on a project with BMW on the future of meetings. People are so mobile now, do they really need such static offices? You always have to keep on top of how people are using space, and their brand expectations. If you lose sight of those, you lose your way as a designer.”

Mojca Lozar, Brand Manager, Europe“IHG now is in a very good place. We are focused, we know where we are going, we are thinking ahead so we can offer something new, something fresh and something truly original. We have differentiated what our separate brands stand for, so the business models are clearer but we always see opportunities to improve.”

WHAT DOES ‘SHAPING OUR FUTURE’ MEAN TO YOU?

Growth

improve

evol

ve

Drive

InnovationDEALS

BUSINESS

DESIGNFRESH

CREATIVITY

LOCAL

CLARITY

competitionbusiness

motivating

focusedprojects

FOUNDATION estate

future

servicePassion

QualityGlobal business

successful

Winning

G R E AT

opportunities

experience

influ

ence

MOBILEBE #1StrongTH

INK

brandPEOPLE

EXPE

CTAT

ION

S

ORIG

INAL

SIGN

changegoal evol

vin

gperfo

rmance

S I G H T

CONTACTSRobert Shepherd

Chief Development Officer, Europe Tel: +44 1895 512 173

robert.shepherd@ihg.com

Philippe Bijaoui Vice President Development, Europe

Tel: +44 1895 512 976 philippe.bijaoui@ihg.com

Karan Khanna Vice President, Head of Design & Engineering, Europe

Tel: +44 1895 512 791 karan.khanna@ihg.com

Paul Phillips Vice President Financial Planning & Investment Analysis, Europe

Tel: +44 1895 512679 paul.phillips@ihg.com

Gilles Goasdoué Head of Hotel Openings, Europe

Tel: +44 1895 512 058 gilles.goasdoue@ihg.com

InterContinental Hotels Group plc Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1895 512 000

InterContinental® Paris Le Grand photography by thierry@favatier.com

Information correct as of 30th September 2014

We’d love to get your feedback on this magazine! If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please drop us an email at europedevelopment@ihg.com