IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces that the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque will open in Sept. 2011 following a brand change from a Hilton that included $14 million in renovations throughout the property. The 261-room hotel features 26,000 square feet of meeting space that includes an 8,000 square foot conference center and is conveniently located just six miles from the airport and three miles from historic Old Town.

The hotel is on a 14 acre oasis in the university and midtown district that captures the unique flavor and artistry of the popular Southwest New Mexico destination. Guest rooms are tastefully decorated and spacious with breathtaking views of Albuquerque’s spectacular high-desert landscape of mesas, volcanoes and the Sandia Mountains.

"We're pleased to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to the Albuquerque area, especially in such a convenient location for business travelers and meetings," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Management, the Americas, IHG. "There are several major employers in the area that will benefit from the meetings-savvy products and services that only a Crowne Plaza can provide."

"We are excited to be re-opening as a Crowne Plaza at a location that is ideal for both business and leisure guests," said General Manager Eric Rossena. "It is the perfect facility for meetings and business travelers and it offers our guests the opportunity to enjoy Crowne Plaza's upscale experience."

A recipient of the “New Mexico Green Zia Environmental Excellence Award,” the hotel is convenient for leisure travelers as it is minutes from historic Old Town, Balloon Fiesta Park, the world’s longest tramway, championship golf courses, Indian gaming casinos and wonderful shopping. Sante Fe is a short 55 minute scenic drive away.

The hotel features the famous Ranchers Club of New Mexico restaurant, the only AAA 4 Diamond Award Winner in Albuquerque, and is also a repeat winner of the prestigious DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award. Recently opened, the new Stonestreet Restaurant features innovative New Mexican cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The full-service hotel is located at 1901 University Boulevard NE in Albuquerque and includes 22 meeting rooms in 26,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor pool, fitness center, complimentary wireless access throughout the hotel, business center and complimentary parking.

The Crowne Plaza is "the Place to Meet" with the signature comprehensive meetings program that ensures a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two-Hour Response Guarantee, a Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief. When the hotel opens, it will be participating in "The Big Reward" that gives meeting planners up to 500,000 bonus Priority Club points when they book rooms at participating IHG locations across North America.

Consistent with the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage that encompasses the entire sleep experience, from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Program components include signature bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, nightlights, drape clips and amenities such as eye masks, earplugs and lavender spray.

Crowne Plaza was recently recognized by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top-growing brands. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Business Travel News magazine named Crowne Plaza as the No. 1 upscale brand as voted by travel buyers in its annual U.S. Hotel Chain Survey. As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has more than 300 hotels in nearly 60 countries, located in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations.