IHG Signs Agreement for the First Staybridge Suites in Central America (Panama)
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IHG Signs Agreement for the First Staybridge Suites in Central America (Panama)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - Panama - Industry economy
- Hotel projects
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2011-03-03
Upscale Extended-Stay Concept Coming to Panama in 2012
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), (LON: IHG) (NYSE:IHG) (ADRs), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced that it has signed a 15-year license agreement with Shakir Investment Group for a new-build Staybridge Suites hotel, scheduled to open in late 2012 in Panama City, Panama. It will be the first Staybridge Suites property in Central America, and the second in Latin America, complementing a 31-story, 215-guestroom Staybridge Suites in Saõ Paulo, Brazil. There are more than 180 Staybridge Suites opened across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.
Located less than two miles off the Bridge of the Americas and next to the entrance to the popular Amador Causeway, the 122-room Staybridge Suites Panama City will be in close proximity to the Figali Convention Center, the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research and other popular tourist destinations, fine dining restaurants and beautiful scenery.
"We are thrilled to introduce the first Staybridge Suites hotel in Central America to Panama," said Alvaro Diago, COO, IHG, Latin America and Caribbean. "We see tremendous potential for this extended-stay property with features that set it apart from other hotels in the city."
“This is the perfect time and location to build a Staybridge Suites hotel in Panama,” added Jim Anhut, Chief Development Officer, the Americas, IHG. “As the Canal is being expanded, it is estimated that an influx of families of expatriated workers will need extended-stay housing in the city. A Staybridge Suites hotel, with all the amenities it provides long term guests, is a timely addition to this area.”
The 13-story property will feature three well-designed spacious suite options (deluxe studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom/two-bath). All suites include in-room DVD/CD players; functional, well-lit work stations with ergonomic seating; speaker phones, personal voice mail and complimentary local phone calls; and fully equipped kitchens.
Consistent with the Staybridge Suites brand, the new hotel will offer exceptional guest amenities including a deluxe complimentary daily breakfast buffet; complimentary guest laundry and workout facilities; a complimentary 24-hour business services center; a guest library with books and games; and BridgeMart®, the hotel’s 24-hour convenience store stocked with snacks, sundries, beverages and easy-to-prepare meals. The hotel also includes a fully-equipped fitness center, rooftop swimming pool, two-story underground parking and meeting space.
Guests will be invited to get comfortable in the hotel’s Great Room for evening “Sundowner” receptions three days a week that include complimentary refreshments, light appetizers and conversation.
Staybridge Suites hotels participate in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards, the industry's first and largest guest loyalty program with 56 million members. Priority Club Rewards membership is free and guests can enroll by logging on priorityclub.com, calling 1.888.211.9874 or inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any one of IHG's more than 4,400 hotels worldwide.
About Staybridge Suites Hotels
Staybridge Suites® is an innovative all-suite hotel brand designed to meet the needs of extended-stay guests. It is ideal for travelers seeking a residential-style hotel that is perfect for business, relocation and vacations. Staybridge Suites was ranked highest in guest satisfaction among extended stay hotel chains, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM.
Amenities include: fully equipped kitchens, highly functional work areas, and two-line speaker phone with voicemail and direct dial access. Staybridge Suites offers complimentary daily deluxe breakfast buffet and evening Sundowner reception three days a week, and 24-hour business services featuring complimentary PC work stations.
Staybridge Suites entered the extended-stay segment in December 1998 when its flagship location in Alpharetta, Georgia, opened. Since that opening, the Staybridge Suites brand continues to grow rapidly with more than 180 hotels open across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. There are more than 100 Staybridge Suites in the pipeline, including 5 outside of the Americas.
Market Metrix Hospitality Index (MMHI) named Staybridge Suites best in customer satisfaction within the upscale hotel segment several times over the past few years. Staybridge Suites has continually surpassed more than 20 other hotel brands in this category.
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