Intercontinental Hotels Expands Into Russia, Announces New Luxury Moscow Hotel

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(News Source: Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts)

(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) -- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts announced its plans to open a new hotel in Moscow called InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya, which is scheduled for completion in September 2010.  InterContinental, which previously operated a hotel in the Russian capital city, is now re-entering the upscale Russian travel market with the opening of this new-build 203-room hotel.  

Situated in a prime location on the site of the former Minsk Hotel at 22 Tverskaya, InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will form the centrepiece of a brand new 64,000 square-metre development incorporating luxury retail outlets and state-of-the-art offices. Located in the heart of the main business and shopping district, InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will be within close reach of the Kremlin, City Hall and bustling Pushkin Square.

Every aspect of the hotel's design and amenities has been chosen to reflect InterContinental's commitment to delivering authentic and enriching experiences to its guests. Guest rooms will be well-appointed, with hardwood parquet flooring, built-in TV in both the bedroom and bathroom, bespoke furniture, luxurious fabrics and a striking glass wall between bathroom and bedroom.  The hotel will also have a collection of suites, including a Presidential Suite on the 12th floor. Other facilities include a Club InterContinental floor and lounge, restaurant, lobby bar, health club, day spa and extensive meeting and conference facilities. 

Designed by London-based consultancy AlexKravetzDesign, InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will have the look and feel of a 'Grand Boutique', combining contemporary features with accents inspired by Russian landmarks including the Seven Sisters skyscrapers and the Moscow Metro.

The lobby bar on the ground floor is anticipated to be the place to meet, while the restaurant on the first floor will offer live cooking, a comprehensive wine list and spectacular views across Tverskaya. An oval wine room will provide a sophisticated entertaining space for private dining and events.
                 
For business guests, meeting facilities at InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will include a divisible ballroom with natural daylight and views, seating up to 200 guests theatre-style.

Designed by international spa consultants Raison d'Etre, the health club and day spa will offer an idyllic retreat to escape the hustle and bustle with a comprehensive and innovative treatment menu.

Commenting on the opening, Jennifer Fox, Chief Operating Officer, Europe, InterContinental Hotels Group, says:  "The opening of InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will reinforce our commitment to a long-term Russian development strategy - it is an extremely important market for us and we understand the undeniable strength and power of the market.  To be back in Russia is an enormous achievement and we are confident that we have created a hotel that is reflective of our brand in one of the world's most significant capital cities."

As the world's first truly global hotel brand, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is located in more than 60 countries with local insight that comes from over 60 years of experience. With over 150 hotels and resorts across the globe, each property offers a wealth of authentic and enriching experiences connecting guests to what is special about a destination. By sharing knowledge of the local culture, history and attractions, InterContinental helps guests to make new discoveries and get the most out of their visit.

InterContinental's parent company, IHG, maintains a leading position in Russia with a portfolio of 20 properties open or in the development pipeline in six of Russia's 13 largest cities. The hotel brand has a large presence in Moscow with almost 1,400 rooms already open and rising to more than 2,000 by 2010.

The seven IHG hotels open in Russia today include six Holiday Inn hotels (Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya, Holiday Inn Moscow Suschevsky, Holiday Inn Moscow Sokolniki, Holiday Inn Moscow Vinogradovo, Holiday Inn Chelyabinsk Riverside, Holiday Inn Samara) and one Crowne Plaza hotel (Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre).  

Capitalising on the growing business and leisure markets across the country, IHG's has 13 hotels in the pipeline including construction in St Petersburg, Samara, Rostov and Novosibirsk. In addition, IHG and Crocus Group have recently signed a deal to build the world's biggest Holiday Inn hotel in Moscow, a 1,000 -room hotel scheduled to open in 2014. 

As part of its strategy for the Russian market, IHG has also launched a Russian language website.