IHG has announced the opening of the Candlewood Suites Avondale-New Orleans. The hotel is the first mid-scale extended stay in the Westbank area of New Orleans; the second Candlewood Suites in the New Orleans area, and the seventh in Louisiana. The new 83-room, three story Candlewood Suites Avondale-New Orleans features just-like-home amenities, including a business center, pet-walking trail and a gazebo with a barbecue grill. The new hotel is located near several area businesses including Northrup Grumman, Union Pacific, BNSF, Monsato Chemical Supply and the Waterford 3 Nuclear Plant. It is also a short ride from the Belle Chase Naval Base. Guests can take advantage of nearby attractions such as the TPC Golf Course – home to the Zurich Classic – local swamp tours, Bayou Segnette State Park and Boomtown Casino.
IHG currently has 10 hotels in the pipeline (6 new builds/4 conversions) and 16 existing hotels with more than 3,400 rooms in the New Orleans area. Industry-wide, New Orleans is a strong market with 3.8 percent RevPAR increase – YTD Feb. 2011. Out of the U.S.’s top 25 markets, New Orleans ranks 9th in terms of RevPAR performance. Occupancy in the market has increased by approximately 0.5 points, while rate has increased 2.9 percent.
