IHG opens hotel in Chicago

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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The InterContinental Hotels Group has opened the Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago, close to Michigan Avenue’s ‘Magnificent Mile.’ A conversion of the Avenue Hotel Chicago, the 40-story hotel completed a multi-million renovation in summer 2008.

This property will be the second IHG full service hotel along the Magnificent Mile.

Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago, general manager, Mik Mahdavi said: “With the recent renovation, which impacted all guestrooms, meeting space and common areas, we’ve essentially been able to open a brand new property. We are extremely excited about branding the hotel as a Crowne Plaza. The upscale guest experience, superior meeting offerings, and IHG’s loyalty program – Priority Club Rewards – makes our hotel an extremely attractive option for business and leisure travelers visiting downtown Chicago.\”

IHG the Americas, brand delivery vice president, Gina LaBarre said: “The hotel’s location near Michigan Avenue, Wrigley Field and the Financial Districts makes it a major attraction for leisure guests as well as business travelers. With the conversion of this hotel to a Crowne Plaza, we can now offer meeting planners in particular our comprehensive meetings program, which they won’t find at any other hotel in the Chicago market.”

The Crowne Plaza brand offers a meetings program consisting of three key components: a Two Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief. The hotel has more than 5,480sqm of flexible meeting space featuring natural light from windows overlooking the city.

The Avenue Crowne Plaza Chicago boasts 350 guestrooms each complete with a flat-screen TV, iHome docking station, mini bar, rain showerhead, and granite countertops along with views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. Guests have access to amenities including complimentary wi-fi in the guestrooms and public spaces, rooftop pool, fitness center, business center, in-room dining and spa services, which are available upon request.

The 40th floor of the hotel is home to the Sky Lounge and panoramic views of the city. Sky Lounge provides guests a contemporary setting to enjoy a European-influenced breakfast; the space is also available for private events.

For more casual fare, guests can visit the hotel’s first floor restaurant Elephant & Castle, an English pub-style restaurant serving English specialties throughout the day, complete with 26 ales on tap.

The property, located at 160 East Huron, is owned and managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC, and under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Daniel Fountain / 11.01.2010

Editor, Hotel Designs

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