ATLANTA � May 4, 2010 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced the opening of the Crowne Plaza Cleveland South � Independence, following a $4 million renovation that includes a new fitness center, new board room and upgrades throughout the hotel. 

�We are excited to open at a location that is ideal for both business and leisure guests,� said Alnashir Tejani, president of hotel owners Rockside Hospitality LLC.  �It is the perfect facility for meetings and social events and it offers our guests the opportunity to experience Crowne Plaza�s upscale experience.� The property is owned by Rockside Hospitality, LLC., and managed by American Resort Management LLC., under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. 

Located at 5300 Rockside Road, at the Intersection of I-480 and I-77, the hotel and meeting center is just 15 minutes from Hopkins International Airport and just seven miles south of downtown Cleveland. It is just steps away from the renovated Cleveland Clinic and a short drive from many attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Zoo and the Football Hall of Fame. The hotel formerly operated as the Skyline Hotel And Conference Center and the Sheraton Hotel Independence.

A Grand Opening Gala at the hotel and conference center is scheduled for May 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

�The hotel�s location close to a major airport and near the intersection of two major highways and the offices of several corporations makes it a leading attraction for meeting planners,� said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG.  �With the conversion of this hotel to a Crowne Plaza, we can now offer our comprehensive meetings program, which meeting planners won�t find at any other hotel in the Cleveland market.� 

The hotel has more than 10,000 square feet of flexible, upscale meeting space. 

The Crowne Plaza Cleveland South � Independence has 179 guestrooms, each with LCD flat screen televisions and upgraded bathroom facilities.  Guests have access to a variety of amenities including complimentary HSIA, Wi-Fi throughout the property, a renovated indoor pool area, new fitness center, business center and in-room dining services. The hotel includes a three-meal restaurant, the Aura Bistro, as well as the Aura Lounge. There is also complimentary valet parking, concierge and bellman service, and a club level with upgraded amenities including a continental breakfast Monday through Friday. 

Consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage®, 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, nightlights, drape clips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray. 

IHG has nearly 1,400 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 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.