Hospitality Career E-Mag: NEWS | IHG plans new hotel brand for healthy living

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) is developing a new hotel brand aimed at travellers who want to work out and eat healthy. The first hotel of the brand ‘Even’ will open in early 2013. The hotels will have guest rooms with space to exercise and amenities such as hypoallergenic linens and healthier food options. The mid-priced chain will have large gyms behind the front desk, as well as a marketplace in the lobby that will offer food including smoothies,
soups and salads. Rooms will have features that can also be used to work out, like a weight bench that's replaced a luggage rack at the foot of the bed, or a coat rack that's built strong enough to double as a pull-up bar. Rooms will also have an exercise mat, LED dimmers and anti-bacterial wipes. They're designed to let in more natural light than standard rooms and provide more space to lay out a yoga mat or do aerobics. Richard Solomons, CEO, IHG said, “The idea for the new hotel brand came from customer feedback. Many lamented that they fall off the wagon while travelling and want a way to stay healthy while on business trips or vacations.” He also mentioned that rooms will be more expensive than Holiday Inn but will vary widely depending on the location. UK based IHG which also operates Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza and Candlewood Suites, expects to sign franchise deals for 100 Even hotels within the next five years. IHG will spend USD 150 million to kick off the brand by buying other hotels and rebranding them. The company, which also operates Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza and Candlewood Suites, expects to sign franchise deals for 100 Even hotels within the next five years. The first hotels are expected to be in Los Angeles and San Francisco, New York, Boston and Washington D.C. IHG plans to announce the location of the first Even hotel soon.

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