InterContinental Hotels Group expanding new lifestyle brand, the group will introduce two new Hotel Indigo properties by the end of 2005, Hotel Indigo Houston and Hotel Indigo Chicago-Palatine. Once opened, this will bring the brand's total to four hotels in just over a year after its first hotel opened.

"The inspiring rate of growth underscores the momentum that Hotel Indigo continues to gain within the franchise community because of its unique point of difference in the marketplace," said Jim Anhut, senior vice president of brand development Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). "We are offering prospective developers a distinctive concept that can readily fit into a variety of structures and marketplaces. In addition, they are able to take advantage of the strength of the IHG infrastructure and management expertise," said Anhut.

A brand developed primarily for conversions, Hotel Indigo is designed to refresh and renew properties that aren't reaching their full potential, but are poised for success post conversion.

"We look forward to working with these two great developers and are pleased to announce that conversion work has begun on both the Hotel Indigo in Houston and Palatine," said Anhut. "Our lifestyle boutique hotel fits well within both of these markets and will create an inimitable and superior hospitality experience for business and leisure travelers."

The Hotel Indigo Houston will be located in the heart of prestigious uptown and is the brand's first non-lodging commercial property conversion. Conveniently located to the uptown business district and Galleria, one of Houston's most popular shopping and tourist destinations, Hotel Indigo Houston will be located at 5160 Hidalgo Street. The hotel will be owned and managed by Driftwood Hospitality, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Work has also begun at the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Palatine which follows the May opening of the Hotel Indigo-Chicago Gold Coast. Both these properties complement the city's landscape and provide a contrast to the high pace and stress of travel.

The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Palatine will be located in the suburban area outside Chicago. Conveniently located near the businesses and entertainment of downtown Arlington Heights, the hotel is also a just 20 minutes from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Hotel Indigo Chicago-Palatine will be located at 920 East Northwest Hwy. Palatine, Ill. The hotel will be owned and managed by DCME Hotel Company, LLC, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Hotel Indigo is a lifestyle hotel brand designed to address the desires of style-conscious guests who are seeking experience and quality over pure mundane functionality when traveling for business or pleasure.

The soul of the retail-inspired concept is renewal -- thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh, similar to the way retailers change their window displays. Hotel Indigo's guestrooms feature renewable elements such as vivid murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that change periodically, while public spaces can be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, foliage, murals and directional signage.

Both properties will feature brand standards such as: signature oversized lobby chairs, which create a personal work or dining space within the public areas of the hotel; cozy, airy and inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, whitewashed wood furniture, hardwood flooring and spa-style showers; highly functional meeting rooms; a "phi"tness studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotels will also offer complimentary high speed internet access in all guestrooms and free wireless access in the public spaces.

A brand developed primarily for conversions, Hotel Indigo is designed to fit a variety of markets in locations where a hotel might not be reaching its full potential, but is poised for success post conversion. And while conversions will be the primary method for the brand's expansion, new build opportunities will be explored where it makes sense. With Hotel Indigo's phenomenal reception from consumers and franchisees alike, it is primed for continued expansion in the United States. Today's announcement comes on the heels of the brand's recent opening of the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Gold Coast, located in one of Chicago's oldest and most historic neighborhoods. Future sites of Hotel Indigo hotels are in development in other major U.S. cities which include Sarasota, Fla. The first Hotel Indigo opened in Atlanta in October 2004. For more information on Hotel Indigo, please visit www.hotelindigo.com.