Media Release Landmark London hotel celebrates end of major refurbishment
Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum, London’s third largest hotel and the largest Holiday Inn in the world, celebrated the completion of its one-year refurbishment by inviting their most loyal guest, Steve Walsh, who has been staying at the hotel most weekdays for 15 years and has just notched up his 2500th night, to take centre stage in a unique photograph featuring Steve and a number of the hotels team in front of the new Holiday Inn identity, the first indication of the changes at the hotel.
As part of a global programme of refurbishments, the hotel has undergone some major changes to improve guests’ comfort. The equivalent of nearly three Wembley Stadium football pitches of new carpet has been laid, all 4800 pillows have been replaced (you could sleep on a new one every night for over 13 years) and over 800 new beds have been installed. While all of this has been going on, over 250,000 guests, in addition to Steve Walsh, have stayed in the hotel.
The hotel also has new signage, music and even a signature scent in the lobby, which mean guests to the Forum are in for a totally new experience.
Steve Walsh said: “I have been staying at the Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum virtually every weekday for 15 years. I have been here throughout the changes. And they are great. Changing all the carpets, most of the beds and all the pillows, means it’s like staying in a brand new hotel!”
Alex Carvalho, General Manager of the hotel said: “It’s taken over a year, but it’s great to finally say we are finished. Not only have we undergone major internal changes, the whole team has also completed the “Stay Real” programme. That takes an enormous effort and we are all incredibly proud to be able to continue to deliver a hotel that guests love.”
Top five refurbishment facts:
1. 906 bedrooms – the largest Holiday Inn in the world
2. Third largest hotel in the UK
3. Over 250,000 welcomed annually
4. 18,000 m2 of carpet replaced
5. 4,800 new pillows
For further information about the hotel go to: Kensington Forum Hotel Website
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Media enquiries (and hi res images available):
Stacey Stockwell on 0207 404 6691 or at sstockwell@paratuscommunications.com
John Rivett on 0207 404 6691 or at jrivett@paratuscommunications.com
Notes to Editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,300 hotels and almost 630,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised 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 programme, Priority Club Rewards with 44 million members worldwide.
IHG has nearly 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 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 programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media
