InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Keeps Travelers Informed and In Touch With New iPad 2

ATLANTA, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting next week, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will connect guests face-to-face with Concierge teams at ten properties around the world using the new iPad™ 2 from Apple®. As the first global hotel brand to equip its Concierge teams with the iPad, InterContinental is committed to ensuring travelers have unparalleled access to local attractions, cultural events and "Insider" travel tips.  Using the innovative FaceTime® feature on Apple products – be it a MacBook, iPhone® 4, iPod touch® or iPad 2 – consumers can video chat with InterContinental's highly equipped Concierge teams and receive top notch personalized service and destination recommendations before they even leave home.

InterContinental properties participating in the initiative include:

• InterContinental New York Barclay
• InterContinental San Francisco
• InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
• InterContinental Houston
• InterContinental London Park Lane
• InterContinental Dubai Festival City
• InterContinental Shanghai Expo
• InterContinental Hong Kong
• ANA InterContinental Tokyo
• InterContinental Bali Resort

In addition to being the first global hotel brand to provide its staff with the iPad, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was the first major hotel brand to offer consumers an app designed specifically for the iPad in December 2010.  To date, InterContinental's free Concierge app, which allows current and future guests to tap into the collective knowledge and experiences of "Insider" Concierge teams in more than 140 destinations, has been downloaded by more than 7,000 consumers and has received a four out of five star rating.  

"We are excited to further enhance our interaction with travelers via the iPad 2," said Simon Scoot, Vice President, Global Brand Management, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. "As a brand, we pride ourselves on our 'Insider' Concierge teams and personalized service, and now prospective guests can access authentic destination advice and top-notch travel tips face-to-face before they even leave home."

The enhancements associated with the iPad 2 along with InterContinental's Concierge app for the iPad allows consumers to explore over 140 exciting cities and exotic destinations where InterContinental Hotels & Resorts are located by providing immediate access to the following:

• FaceTime video chatting with Concierge teams at the ten InterContinental hotels participating in the global pilot (also available via iPhone® 4, iPod Touch® and Mac computers)
• Destination-specific concierge videos packed with useful insider information and recommendations not normally found in travel guide books;
• Interactive globe with Google Maps technology featuring high-resolution satellite imagery, close-up street views and detailed walking routes as well as recommended shops, restaurants and local attractions;
• Recommendations and suggested itineraries for a concierge's perfect day (morning, afternoon and evening) for each location;
• Insider tips around the local culture, what to pack and interesting facts.

Travelers can connect with InterContinental Concierge teams via FaceTime and download the Concierge iPad app by visiting chat.intercontinental.com.  

As the first global hotel brand to market the iPad as an alternative mode of communication with its Concierge teams, InterContinental has the advantage of incorporating guest feedback in the launch of the brand's latest technological initiative, ensuring the iPad 2 is a remarkable platform from which to showcase interactive knowledge and premier destination access.  Travelers who have had the opportunity to experience this new service and are eager to share their feedback regarding the Apple iPad 2 are invited to tweet InterContinental at www.twitter.com/WorldConcierge, using the hashtag #ICiPad2.

Notes to Editors:

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has 166 hotels, located in more than 60 countries with local insight that comes from over 60 years of experience. At InterContinental we believe that superior, understated service and outstanding facilities are important, but what makes us truly different, is the genuine interest we show in our guests. Our desire is to help guests make the most of their time. We connect our well-travelled guests to what's special about a destination, by sharing our knowledge so they enjoy authentic experiences that will enrich their lives and broaden their outlook. For more information, visit www.intercontinental.com.

About IHG

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 640,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 56 million members worldwide.

IHG has almost 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which is expected to create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

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

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com. For our latest news visit www.ihg.com/media, Twitter www.twitter.com/ihgplc or YouTube www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

SOURCE InterContinental Hotels & Resorts