Adding to its portfolio of ultra-luxe hotels in London, Paris, Athens and other world capitals, InterContinental Hotels Group opened the Crowne Plaza Old Town this week after purchasing it a month ago for about $50 million.
With little fanfare, the world’s largest hotel group took possession of the 253-room property, formerly a Radisson, located at 901 North Fairfax Street in Old Town. The hotel will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation to guestrooms, restaurants, meeting space and public areas, to be completed by year-end, and in time for the April 2008 opening of the $2 billion National Harbor hotel and retail complex.
We are pleased to add another Crowne Plaza to our Washington, D.C. portfolio, said Kevin Kowalski, vice president of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. The close proximity to government agencies and American history destinations will attract both business and leisure travelers.
The Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria is located eight blocks from shops and historic homes on Old Alexandrias historic waterfront, and across the Potomac River from National Harbor, slated to become the world’s fourth largest convention hotel when it opens next year.
The hotel will feature its vaunted “Sleep Advantage” program, which the company says encompasses the entire “sleep experience,” from training staff on how to create and maintain a restful environment to providing innovative products and services. Sleep components include such things as new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities such as eye masks, ear plugs and lavender spray.
The hotel, which offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space, hopes to offer groups a comprehensive meetings package to ensure a seamless planning process consisting of response guarantees, a meetings director and a meetings “Daily Debrief.”
The hotel will also offer an on-site restaurant, an outdoor rooftop pool, a fitness center and a business center, with complimentary wired and wireless Internet available throughout the hotel.
The new Crowne Plaza is owned by Oliver T Carr Company, under license with InterContinental Hotels Group for day-to-day operations and branding. In May, Carr also acquired the Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria Historic District at 625 First Stree.
Theres no other company wed rather have manage these three hotels than InterContinental, said Oliver T Carr, the principal owner of the Oliver T Carr Company. We knows their brands better than any other management company, and were confident that their operational excellence will drive the value of our hotels.
