Set to open in 2017, the 242-room newly constructed hotel will feature the Holiday Inn brand's signature Open Lobby with a dining area, media lounge and bar as well as state-of-the-art meeting facilities including five meeting rooms and a ballroom.

The Holiday Inn® Stavropol Open Lobby is an innovative approach and in-hotel experience for guests, which has transformed the traditional hotel lobby format by combining the front desk, lobby, restaurant, bar, lounge area and business centre into one open, cohesive space, while refreshing the design to give it a more contemporary feel.

The concept has been established by understanding how people use space at home in order to give guests the most flexibility, whether they're looking to eat, relax, work, or have fun in one integrated space. 

The hotel will be part of a multi-development project in an area close to the city's cultural hub. It is anticipated the hotel will meet increasing hospitality demand from the area's surrounding corporate business. 

Robert Shepherd, IHG's Chief Development Officer for Europe, said: "We're excited and particularly proud to be the first international hotel chain to develop in Stavropol.  We're also delighted to be working with Metropolia for the first time.  Russia is a priority market for us and this signing is another step forward for the Holiday Inn brand there."

Natalya Kazakova, CEO of Metropolia 26 LLC said: "This is the start of a new partnership with IHG and one we are very much looking forward to seeing grow. We have high expectations for this property and due to its central location, we're confident the hotel will help meet the needs of the growing business market in the region."

IHG recently signed a management agreement with new owner LLC "UK Platinum" to open Holiday Inn® St Petersburg – Kremenchugskaya. The 170 room hotel due to open in 2017 is located close to the Moskovsky railway station - the city's main connection to Moscow.