Scheduled to open in the summer of 1999, the Atlanta airport property marks the first new construction of a company-owned and operated hotel by Holiday Inn in more than 10 years, having more recently focused on franchising the brand.

In an address during the groundbreaking ceremonies, Bass Hotels & Resorts Chairman and CEO Thomas R. Oliver told the audience of nearly 200 corporate employees, guests and local officials that parent company Bass PLC remains committed to the Holiday Inn brand and will invest a considerable amount of capital to ensure this new generation of hotels will operate at a level of quality and service that is second to none in the industry.  He added that approximately one of every four new-generation Holiday Inn hotels will be owned and operated by Bass Hotels & Resorts, establishing a level of corporate support that will set the tone and pace for franchise development and operation.

The new full-service Holiday Inn prototype has a distinctly residential feel and an impressive array of technological features designed to make the property look, feel and function more like a guest�s home.  From the warmth of the lobby and generous comfort and technological capability of the guest rooms, to space filled with natural light and soft fabrics and colors, guests will experience a Holiday Inn much different than anything they�ve seen before.

Guests will appreciate the signature wrap-around front porch, fireplace in the public area, and laundry facilities free for guests� use on the top floor.  Other home-like features include windows that open and a vertical fan coil Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, rather than thru-the-window units typically found at hotels.

The hotel will be technologically advanced, yet still guest friendly.  For instance, guests who prefer to bypass the front desk check-in may opt to use their credit card at a lobby kiosk which gives them directions to their room.  The same credit card becomes their room key, and when used to open the door it also turns on the lights and HVAC system.

Every room will have voice mail and caller ID, and guests will receive their own private phone number at check-in.  Guestrooms also will be equipped with a cordless phone that will work anywhere in the building, so guests won�t miss an important call if they leave the room to visit the business center, enjoy a meal in the restaurant or work out in the fitness center.

The hotel has been designed with environmentally-friendly features as well.  Not only will the property participate in the company�s signature �Conserving For Tomorrow� program, but all light bulbs will be compact flourescents, which use about one-fifth the energy of standard light bulbs.  In addition, all consumable products will be either biodegradable or recyclable.

Bass Hotels & ResortsSM,  the hotel business of Bass PLC of the United Kingdom, operates or franchises more than 2,600 hotels and 450,000 guest rooms in more than 90 countries and territories.
 The following service marks are owned by Bass Hotels & Resorts Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates:  Holiday Inn®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Select® , Holiday Inn Garden CourtSM, Holiday Inn SunSpree® Resorts, Staybridge SuitesSM  by Holiday Inn, Holidex®, Holidome®, Priority Club® Worldwide, e.space® , Inter-Continental®, Forum®, Six Continents Club®, Corporate Rate Portfolio® and Global Partner Hotels and Resorts®.