IHG eyes Russian expansion

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is continuing its Russian expansion with the opening of a new Crowne Plaza Hotel in St Petersburg and an InterContinental in Moscow. The two hotels are scheduled to open in early 2009 and in 2010 respectively.

The St Petersburg hotel site will be located in the Admiralteyski district in the city centre and in one of St Petersburg's major shopping areas. It will feature 339 rooms, two bars, two restaurants, a swimming pool, a gym, 750 m² of meeting space and a large covered atrium with retail space. The project, to be developed in cooperation with Rastor Investments, will provide the city with the first Crowne Plaza hotel, following the brand's entry in Moscow last year. The InterContinental Moscow is being developed by Rossiyskiy Kredit Bank and will be managed by IHG. The 205-room hotel will be located close to the Kremlin, the City Hall and Pushkin Square.

IHG, the world's largest hotel company by number of rooms, has currently 148 hotels, under brands including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.