From left to right: Francisco Giles, Chairman of the Dubai Marriott Business Council with the winners of the 6th Marriott Spirit to Serve Charity Golf Tournament at the |Dubai Creek Golf Club and Resort: Charles and Rory Bincow, 2nd place and Rayhan Jon Thomas and Satwinder Sembi, grand prize winner.

With the objective of raising funds for the UN’s World Food Programme and in conjunction with the Red Crescent Society, the Dubai Marriott Business Council recently organized the 6th Marriott Spirit to Serve Charity Golf Tournament at the Dubai Creek Golf Club and Resort. Read the full story

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the premier manager of ultra luxury hotels and resorts throughout the world, has appointed Matthias Al-Amiry as Hotel Manager for the award winning Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, in Riyadh. Read the full story

Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa recently embarked to another culinary journey with the students of Emirates International School. The five day experience for the children started on 8 November 2009 with the aid of school teachers, Rakhi Joseph, Pastry Chef Charbel and Executive Chef Paul Hage. Read the full story

• Five world-class restaurants and lounges providing a variety of culinary options

• Hotel is directly connected to Dubai Marina Mall; easy access to major business hubs and Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports

The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai’s newest five-star premium hotel is adding to the lifestyle choices in Dubai Marina, Read the full story

The Renaissance Dubai Hotel recently launched The Big Bus Room package with a swinging 60s Big Bus theme party for the media.  The media enjoyed breathtaking views of Dubai onboard the open-top double-decker Big Bus where they had the chance to win a trip for two to Goa with Qatar Airways, 2 night stay with breakfast for two at Goa Marriott Resort and fabulous prizes from Giordano, Lindt, Index Living Mall, Smashbox and Benefit.

Read the full story

L-R: Suvarna Bahaharpurkar, Highly Commended Housekeeper of the Year, Renaissance Dubai Hotel; Wael Farouk, Green Hotelier of the Year, Courtyard by Marriott and MEA Dubai Green Community, Yasmine Hidalgo, Highly Commended PR&Marketign Person of the Year and Michelle Telfer, Director of HR, Courtyard by Marriott and MEA Dubai Green Community

Renaissance Dubai Hotel’s  Yasmine Hidalgo, PR& Marketing Communications Manager and Suvarna Bahadarpurkar, Executive Housekeeper and won as Highly Commended PR and Marketing Person of the Year and Houskeeper of the Year and respectively at the recently concluded 2009 Hotelier Middle East Awards Ceremony. Read the full story

-New concept hotel and Crowne Plaza opens in Yas Island-

Today InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) opened two new hotels in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – a Crowne Plaza hotel and Staybridge Suites, its first extended stay property in the Gulf.

Staybridge  Suites

Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi is located in the centre of Yas Island, close to Abu Dhabi International Airport and within walking distance of the new F1 Yas Marina Circuit.

The property offers guests the choice of 164 suites, ranging from studios to two bedroom suites, all with fully equipped kitchens and access to a 24 hour convenience store.

Bridging a gap between conventional hotels and serviced apartments, Staybridge Suites offers a home-from-home for people spending long periods travelling on business. Introduced in 1998, Staybridge Suites is one of IHG’s newest brands with 167 properties worldwide and 147 more in the pipeline.

The tiered rate structure ensures prices are discounted the longer a guest stays, making it a more economical and comfortable option for business travellers staying for more than a few nights.

John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG Middle East and Africa said: “The success and popularity of Staybridge Suites among guests seeking a home-from-home experience in the US and the UK, has led us to introduce this concept in the Gulf. For business travellers looking for an alternative to the traditional hotel environment, Staybridge Suites is the ideal solution.”

Crowne Plaza

The 428-room Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi is the second Crowne Plaza hotel in the capital. Located on the banks of the Yas Creek, the hotel is near to both the city centre and Abu Dhabi International Airport, providing a great location for business and leisure travellers alike. Guests can also take advantage of the new F1 Yas Marina Circuit and the Championship Links Golf Course, both of which are located within walking distance of the hotel.

The Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi has six restaurants, including the Sundowner Pool Bar with outdoor dining, as well as full business facilities, a 25 metre part shaded pool, steam rooms, sauna and a squash court.

Commenting on the growth of the Crowne Plaza brand in Abu Dhabi, John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG Middle East and Africa said: “With an expected 2.3 million visitors to Abu Dhabi each year by 2013, it’s important that we continue to invest and grow our presence in this region to maintain our position as the leading hotel provider. The Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi will strengthen our offering in the region and provide a high-quality base for business travellers, helping them to make the most of their business trips.”

Paul Bell, managing director, Aldar Hotels & Hospitality added: “Yas Island is located between the coast and city of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and has grown rapidly to accommodate the influx of visitors. Its attractions, unmatched anywhere in the world, make it a unique destination for both business and leisure travellers. The openings of the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites hotels are great additions for Yas Island because they are international brands known to business travellers worldwide.”

The site of a $40 billion development project, Yas Island will also feature a host of attractions, including a brand new Formula One Championship Circuit, a movie theme park in association with Warner Bros, a motor sports theme park inspired by Ferrari and extensive retail, entertainment and hospitality projects. More than 100,000 people are expected to live and work on the island.

Featuring 32 kilometres of coastline, Yas Island will stake its claim as a super-yacht destination to rival those in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, with three exclusive marinas accommodating 1,400 luxury berths.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries please contact: Anne Howard at a.howard@asdaa.com or +9714-3344550

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,300 hotels and almost 630,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.  The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards with 44 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com.  For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media