Paris, France, 18 December 2009 � InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau will open today a stone�s throw away from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees under a ten year management contract between InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Groupe Cible Expansion which owns the hotel.

InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau was until recently the Crowne Plaza Paris Champs Elysees.  The 55-room hotel which opened in 2008 is located in three heritage buildings from different periods in Paris� history and overlooks a central courtyard. It has two penthouse suites, including a terrace suite with a private roof patio looking onto the Eiffel Tower. The hotel also has a conservatory restaurant, Le M64, which opens on to the courtyard and offers outdoor seating in the summer months. Chef Romain Marzet was previously the first assistant chef at the George V hotel in Paris.

Designed by Bruno Borrione, part of Philippe Starck�s team, the hotel is a mix of French classical and urban contemporary design, combining classically inspired features such as Venetian Renaissance frescos with modern furniture and décor. Each bedroom offers luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding made by Missoni and Kenzo as well as Hermès bathroom products. All of the suites are equipped with Bang & Olufsen sound systems and Nespresso coffee machines. Other facilities include meeting suites accessible through a separate entrance as well as a 24-hour gym.

The hotel will complement the existing InterContinental Paris Le Grand, an historic building originally inaugurated by Empress Eugenie in 1862 and reopened in 2003 following a multi-million euro restoration. InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau is one of 28 hotels in the city and 63 hotels across France operating under one of IHG�s seven brands, including Holiday Inn.

Didier Boidin, InterContinental Hotels Group�s (IHG) vice president of operations for France, said: �Travellers from around the world affectionately refer to the InterContinental Paris Le Grand as the �grand palais� among Paris� luxury hotels. With the opening of InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau, we now have a charming petit palais located in another one of the capital�s most desirable addresses. Visitors to the capital of lights and fashion now have a choice of either the Opera view from InterContinental Paris Le Grand, or the Arc de Triomphe view from InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau. Opening our second InterContinental hotel in Paris is testament to the strength and appeal of the brand.  We�re looking forward to welcoming international business and leisure travellers to the hotel.�

Jean Pierre Bansard, Groupe Cible Expansion, said: �InterContinenal Paris Avenue Marceau will give our guests a truly luxurious and authentic Parisian experience. It is located in the heart of the capital, near to some of the best-known landmarks in this city and our contemporary-classical décor is a true reflection of the heritage and culture Paris has to offer. I believe InterContinental Paris Avenue Marceau will add to Paris� top class hotel offering bringing considerable prestige to the city.�

IHG has 164 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in 60 countries across the world and 63 hotels in the pipeline.

About IHG
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, nearly 4,400 hotels and over 640,000 guest rooms in 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 47 million members worldwide. IHG has 1,500 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.