The new 32-story hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex located in the center of modern downtown Cartagena, just 20 minutes away from the Rafael Nuñez International Airport.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms, today announced plans to open the Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Hotel & Suites, the first IHG hotel property located in Cartagena, Colombia.

The hotel, which is slated to open in early 2010, is owned by Promotora San Martin Plaza and will be managed by IHG's Americas operations division, The Hotel Management Group, under a long-term management contract effective February 2010.

Located on Avenida San Martin, the Holiday Inn Express Cartagena will be within walking distance to the city's pristine white sandy beaches. With a population of about one million, Cartagena sits on the Caribbean coast and is a wonderfully picturesque, walled-in city of pastel-painted buildings, fine cathedrals, and is full of Spanish colonial architecture and 17th-century forts that allow visitors to step into history.

Founded in 1533 by Spaniard conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was of considerable importance during the mid 16th century due to its strategic position and became one of the few South American ports to export gold and silver back to Spain. In 1985 the city was declared the "The Historical Patrimony of Humanity" by UNESCO. Cartagena now continues to be the economic hub of the Caribbean region as well as a popular tourist destination.

"We are pleased to be expanding our brands throughout the region and are excited to add Cartagena to our list of destinations," said Alvaro Diago, area president, IHG Latin America. "Holiday Inn Express brand hotels are designed to be the logical choice for cost-conscious travelers, and we know our guests will enjoy the unique experience of staying at this distinctive hotel located within such an innovative mixed-use complex in one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia."

The Holiday Inn Express Cartagena, with 118 guestrooms and 32 suites, will boast six boardroom size meeting rooms with occupancy for 20 people each, a swimming pool, a fitness center and ample parking. The hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex that will feature office spaces, cafes and restaurants.

"We are proud to have signed a hotel with IHG, a hotel company that is recognized worldwide for its sophisticated standards and first-class brands," said Arturo Gomez Stevenson, president of Promotora San Martin Plaza. "The hotel boasts an excellent location and we are thrilled to be affiliated with a world renowned modern brand like Holiday Inn Express. "

Holiday Inn Express is the contemporary hotel brand for value-oriented travelers. Fresh, and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers. Holiday Inn Express is the fastest growing hotel brand in the industry, opening an average two hotels a week.

Holiday Inn Express participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. The industry's first and largest guest loyalty program has over 37 million members. Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's almost 4,000 hotels worldwide.

The Holiday Inn Express portfolio includes more than 1,800 hotels throughout the world and 15 hotels in Latin America. In 2007, IHG opened the Holiday Inn Express in Medellin, Colombia. By the end of 2008, IHG also plans to open the Holiday Inn Express Quito in Ecuador, the Holiday Inn Express San José – Forum in Costa Rica, and the Holiday Inn Express Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Focused on growing its portfolio of brands throughout the region, IHG today has more than 170 hotels in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and has been serving Latin America for over 60 years. IHG has properties situated in nearly every key market throughout Latin America.