Business Wire - Press Release: IHG Opens the First Crowne Plaza in Costa Rica

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) (LSE:IHG) (NYSE:IHG) (ADRs), one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, today announced the opening of the Crowne Plaza(R) Corobici San Jose Costa Rica. The 213-room hotel is now the third IHG brand in the city of San Jose, after the Real InterContinental Costa Rica and the Holiday Inn Aurola San Jose.

The Crowne Plaza Corobici San Jose Costa Rica, formerly affiliated with Sol Melia, will be the first Crowne Plaza in Costa Rica and another exciting addition to the growing Crowne Plaza brand in Central and South America where Crowne Plaza has 14 hotels.

"We are delighted to introduce the Crowne Plaza brand to Costa Rica," said Alvaro Diago, area president, IHG Latin America. "We are certain that this property will have tremendous success because it fits perfectly within the Crowne Plaza 'The Place to Meet' brand positioning."

Owned by Desatur Corobici, S.A., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group, the Crowne Plaza Corobici San Jose Costa Rica has been fully renovated to meet Crowne
Plaza brand standards. The changes to the property include new beds and bedding in all of the guestrooms, a fresh new look in the hotel's common areas, and refurbishments throughout the hotel's interiors. The Crowne Plaza Corobici features ten meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 1000 people for corporate and social functions.

"We are thrilled to become a Crowne Plaza hotel, as the brand is well-known in North and South America for its Sleep Advantage program and excellent first-class service standards," said Yukiko Nakayama, President of Desatur Corobici, S.A. "We are very pleased to be joining the IHG family."

Guestroom amenities include: high-speed Internet access, dual-line data port phones with voicemail, coffee maker, hair dryer, mini bar, cable TV, refrigerator, iron and ironing board. The hotel features a spa and sauna, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and a casino. It also offers two restaurants: Fuji, serving Japanese cuisine, and the Tropical Cafeteria, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting. Additionally, the hotel has designated two Club Floors, with a lounge offering breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres.

Convenient for both business and leisure travelers, the Crowne Plaza Corobici Costa Rica is ideally situated in the heart of the commercial district of San Jose, five minutes from the financial zone, and only 20 minutes from Juan Santa Maria International Airport. The hotel is also located minutes from popular tourist attractions and recreational areas.

Founded in 1738, San Jose is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. It has a population of approximately 350,000, and is one of the youngest capitals of Latin America by its year of foundation. Today it has grown into a modern city with a bustling economy and is considered to be one of Latin America's greatest destinations for foreign travelers.

Consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel offers a comprehensive meetings package to ensure a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Meetings Daily Debrief.

The Crowne Plaza Corobici Costa Rica offers the renowned Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program, which is available at all Crowne Plaza hotels in the Americas and encompasses the entire sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts also participates in Priority Club Rewards. With more than 37 million members, Priority Club(R) Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Winner of the 19th Annual Freddie Awards hotel loyalty "Program of the Year" and named "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World" three years running by Global Traveler magazine, Priority Club Rewards offers more sought-after benefits and the greatest ease of use of any hotel loyalty program.

Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG's 3,800 hotels worldwide.

Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top growing brands. As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has nearly 300 hotels in 51 countries, and are located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit www.crowneplaza.com.

Recently, IHG also announced the opening of the Crowne Plaza Lima, Peru, and the Crowne Plaza San Pedro Sula in Honduras. By the end of 2008, IHG will have a total of four brands in the City of San Jose, including the Real InterContinental Costa Rica, the Holiday Inn Aurola San Jose, the Crowne Plaza Corobici San Jose, and the Holiday Inn Express Forum, which was recently signed. IHG has more than 160 hotels in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and has been serving Latin America for over 60 years. IHG has properties situated in nearly every key market throughout the Latin America territory.