24 March, 2015 – MIAMI – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the opening of the Crowne Plaza® Panama Airport hotel. Strategically located near Tocumen International Airport and with a US $20 million investment by owner and operator Bern Hotels & Resorts, the new-build 144-room hotel is the first brand property in Latin America to be built less than a mile away from an airport. The hotel is a short drive away from the Metromall shopping center and the upscale neighborhood of Costa del Este. It is also located within 25 minutes from Panama City’s numerous tourist attractions, restaurants and financial district.

Gerardo Murray, Regional Vice President, Distribution and Commercial Marketing, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean, IHG said: “Bern Hotels & Resorts owns four existing IHG properties in Panama, including the InterContinental® Miramar Panama, InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa, Crowne Plaza Panama and Holiday Inn® Panama Canal hotels, and we are thrilled to open a fifth hotel with this longstanding franchisee. Bern has an outstanding reputation for delivering quality projects in stellar locations, and we believe that the Crowne Plaza Panama Airport property will be a great success.”

With an innovative and modern design, the Crowne Plaza Panama Airport hotel offers a variety of unique services and amenities to cater to the on-the-go business traveler, including airport shuttle service, outdoor swimming pool, and 24-hour fitness and business centers. It also features the brand’s new “Always On” enhancements that are focused on connectivity, wellness and productivity with new technology offering single Internet sign-on, free and reliable Wi-Fi, and easy access to power outlets and charging cords. An Energy Essentials Wellness Station with healthy snacks and drinks coupled with the brand’s Sleep Advantage® program will help guests stay energized and balanced to perform at their best. The comprehensive Crowne Plaza meetings program, which includes a two-hour response guarantee to request for proposals, a dedicated meetings director and a daily meeting debrief will also complement the multifunctional meeting spaces available at the hotel.

Herman Bern, the owner of Bern Hotels & Resorts said: “It is a great accomplishment to open the Crowne Plaza Panama Airport hotel. IHG already has a vast portfolio of internationally recognized brands in Panama, and we look forward to continuing our growth and success with our longtime partner.”

The hotel has a wide selection of dining options at its two on-site restaurants. The Jetstream, located at the main lobby of the hotel serves delicious dishes, ranging from breakfast and lunch buffets to à la carte dinners in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The Hub Bar & Grill is the perfect place to meet with colleagues and friends and enjoy cocktails and snacks after a long work day.

IHG continues to strengthen the Crowne Plaza estate in North America with more than 55 percent of the properties either newly opened or renovated in the last four years. The Crowne Plaza brand is the fourth largest upscale, full-service hotel brand in the world, and IHG is continuing the brand’s growth momentum through new signings in prime U.S. markets such as San Diego and with new openings in 2015 including the Crowne Plaza Memphis East, Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh West–Green Tree and Crowne Plaza Stamford. Also guests staying at Crowne Plaza hotels in Seattle, Los Angeles, Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina can expect an enhanced experience following the significant renovations at these properties.

The Crowne Plaza brand is part of IHG’s diverse family of brands in nearly 100 countries and territories and meets the needs of guests, whatever the occasion – whether an overnight getaway, a business trip, a family celebration or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Crowne Plaza hotels participate in IHG’s hotel rewards program, IHG® Rewards Club. The industry’s first and largest hotel rewards program is free, and guests can enroll at www.IHGRewardsClub.com, by downloading the IHG® App, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG’s more than 4,800 hotels worldwide. Guests can also book an environmentally-friendly stay at any of our IHG Green Engage™ enrolled hotels.