IHG Opens First EVEN™ Hotels Property In Norwalk, Connecticut

ATLANTA, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announces the opening of its first EVEN™ Hotels property, located at 426 Main Avenue in Norwalk, Connecticut. EVEN Hotels is IHG's newest lifestyle hotel brand, created to meet the growing need of travelers to stay healthier and happier away from home. EVEN Hotels was designed with wellness built in; it's in the brand's DNA.  From the moment travelers enter the hotel lobby and walk past a wall of fresh, flowering plants, the EVEN brand takes guests on a wellness journey, helping them Eat Well, Rest Easy, Keep Active and Accomplish More.

"Today is truly a milestone for IHG as we announce the opening of our first EVEN Hotels property in Norwalk and prepare to open our second in Rockville, Maryland later this month," said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG. "We know that for the traveling public, the ability to maintain their health routine while on the road is becoming more and more important and EVEN Hotels provides the tools and encouragement to make healthier choices while on the road at an approachable price point."

The EVEN Hotels Experience – It's a Healthier Way to Travel
A calming, open design sets the tone for a restful environment that is essential to maintain balance. The addition of natural elements and eco-conscious touches such as real wood surfaces, terrariums throughout the hotel, and fresh, natural scents to revive senses in the lobby, sets the tone for the experience at EVEN Hotels. Guests are "well-comed" with a glass of infused, filtered water at check-in by a team member offering a cool, scented hand towel to wipe away the stress of travel. A digital Wellness Wall serves as an information source for guests to gather and learn about in-hotel and local food, fitness and community activities. Featuring 129 guestrooms on four floors, the EVEN Hotel Norwalk includes flexible public workspaces; dining and social areas; natural outdoor spaces; in-room fitness elements; a three-zone gym with best-in-class equipment; as well as design and technology elements that provide guests with a restful, natural and productive experience.

Sleep Fuel
Resting Easy means more than sleeping well and the amenities offered at the EVEN Hotel Norwalk ensure that guests continue to feel refreshed and energized, even while on the road.  Guestroom flow and furniture are thoughtfully designed to reduce clutter, offering an open, inviting and calming atmosphere. The rooms feature a Premium Sleep System with natural eucalyptus linens offering a cooler sleep; adjustable LED mood lighting; and revitalizing showers with all natural EO bath products in scents selected to help invigorate or calm based on preference allow guests to cleanse, relax and wash away the stresses of the day.

A Simple.Natural.Good. Food and Beverage Promise
Food and beverage choices that are both delicious and healthier for travelers are abundant at EVEN Hotels in the Cork & Kale™ Market and Bar. A menu of freshly prepared menu items that guests can tailor based on their preference as well as healthy grab-and-go items feature clear nutritional and ingredient labeling to help guests choose meals that meet their dietary needs. For those craving a sweet treat or craft beverage, Cork & Kale offers healthier indulgent desserts, such as a Pomegranate Chocolate Parfait or Warm Pound Cake with Drunken Berries, and signature cocktails made with organic and natural ingredients. 

Fitness on Your Terms
Travelers shouldn't have to forsake their workout routine while on the road and EVEN Hotels offers solutions designed to meet the varied needs of guests. From the natural light filled three-zone Athletic Studio adjacent to the lobby, to spin and yoga classes in the connecting Flex Room; a morning community run led by the property's Chief Wellness Officer, or the privacy of an In-Room Training Zone workout using the EVEN Hotels Trainer, guests can maintain a familiar workout or incorporate fresh, new exercises.  Areas of the hotel dedicated to fitness and the knowledgeable and enthusiastic team encourage guests to Keep Active, take on a new challenge and have fun while doing so. 

A Productive Experience
Focus better and get work done virtually without missing a beat. A productive environment is key, and at EVEN Hotels, guests can enjoy comfortable, ergonomically designed movable work spaces configured to integrate with their working preferences, as well as fast and free Wi-Fi, 40-inch HDTV, tablet-based digital programming and easily accessible multi-media ports both in their room and throughout common spaces.

Outside the hotel, EVEN Hotels supports the needs of travelers through wellwellwell.com, helping people travel well wherever they are on the road. Fueled by EVEN Hotels, wellwellwell.com is a go-to source for travelers, designed to provide localized and insightful content to help travelers maintain their wellness routine on the road. The site publishes content created by its editorial team as well as contributors, including health and wellness leaders, lifestyle experts and travelers. Wellwellwell.com features articles and tips on how to exercise, eat, rest and find the best local places while travelling to cities across the country.

"Through a carefully designed hotel and service culture, created with the needs of our target guest at the core, we know EVEN Hotels can deliver a better experience to travelers for whom wellness is so important," continued Kirk. "We firmly believe that the EVEN brand will be a key driver in market share growth in the U.S. as well as a unique, differentiated choice for our franchise owners."

The EVEN Hotel Norwalk is owned and managed by IHG. The brand currently has four hotels in the pipeline: Rockville, Maryland; Brooklyn, New York; and two properties in midtown Manhattan. For more information about EVEN Hotels or to book an upcoming stay at the Norwalk property, please visit EVENHotels.com.

About EVEN™ Hotels
EVEN™ Hotels, the newest brand from IHG, meets the large and growing demand for a hotel brand to help wellness-minded travelers keep their balance on the road at an affordable price point. An industry first, EVEN Hotels invites wellness on every journey by providing solutions for all aspects of travelers' wellness needs. With an emphasis on four components, Eating Well, Resting Easy, Keeping Active and Accomplishing More, the brand serves as a travel partner, helping guests feel better about their experience and themselves based on the choices they are able to make.

The brand launched in 2012 and is expected to be a key pillar in the IHG portfolio of preferred brands. EVEN Hotels opened its first property in June 2014 in Norwalk, Connecticut, and has an additional four properties in the pipeline, located in Rockville, Maryland; Brooklyn, New York; and two in midtown Manhattan. For more information, visit http://EVENHotels.com/. Find EVEN Hotels on Twitter https://twitter.com/EvenHotels or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/EvenHotels.

Notes to Editors:
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with a broad portfolio of nine hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts.

IHG manages IHG® Rewards Club, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty program with nearly 79 million members worldwide. The program was relaunched in July 2013, offering enhanced benefits for members including free internet across all hotels, globally.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,700 hotels and 688,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories, with more than 1,100 hotels in its development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihgplc.com/media, www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg or www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

SOURCE IHG Hotels & Resorts