HAMILTON, ONTARIO (January 29, 2010) � IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced today that the Crowne Plaza Hamilton has opened after a conversion from an independent hotel. 

The hotel is owned by Dantes Hospitality, and managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.  The property is located at 150 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1B2?.

Located minutes from Copps Coliseum, Theatre Aquarius, Ivor Wynne Stadium, the Crowne Plaza Hamilton is city central and minutes away from restaurants, parks, shopping and entertainment. 

�We�re pleased to bring our first Crowne Plaza to the Hamilton area, especially in such a convenient location for business travellers," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG.  "There are several major employers in the area that will benefit from the meetings-savvy products and services that only a Crowne Plaza can provide."

The hotel will feature the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage program, which is available at all Crowne Plaza hotels in the Americas.  Sleep Advantage 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 signature bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray. 

Also consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel offers a comprehensive meetings program 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 Daily Meetings Debrief.  The hotel�s intimate options for smaller meeting groups and special occasions are complemented by 19,000 square feet of banquet space.  A 372 seat state-of-the-art theatre allows for larger scale presentations. 

"Our expansion in the Ontario market has been growing at a very steady pace, and it is very appropriate that Hamilton is now home to a Crowne Plaza, further enhancing our stellar growth in Canada," said Gopal Rao, regional vice president, Sales & Marketing, Canada, IHG. 

Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry�s top growing brands.  As part of the InterContinental Hotels Group global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has more than 300 hotels in nearly 60 countries, and are located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations.  For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit www.crowneplaza.com or call 1-800-2CROWNE.

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 recognized 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 program, Priority Club® Rewards with 47 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,500 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.