IHG to Expand its Army Hotels Portfolio

InterContinental Hotels Group has unveiled plans to expand its portfolio of IHG Army Hotels.

IHG is the exclusive hotel manager and operator of on-post lodging under the U.S. Department of the Army’s Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program, and will add 18 U.S. Military installations to its portfolio.

In total, there will be 76 hotels and more than 11,000 guest rooms on 39 U.S. Military installations upon completion of this third phase of the PAL program.

“We are honored to have been selected as a partner in the PAL program and hold the unique position in the hotel industry to serve this special group of guests, who have committed their lives to service and sacrifice for their country,” said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG. “Through IHG Army Hotels, and the well-recognized Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites brands, we are able to deliver on-post the consistent, high-quality stay experiences which guests around the world have come to trust and expect from the IHG family of hotel brands.”

The PAL program joins together IHG with the U.S. Army and Lend Lease, as the exclusive asset manager, developer and design builder to deliver improved guest service and quality of on-post lodging for Service Members, their families and all government travelers.

Guests staying with IHG Army Hotels can enjoy complimentary breakfast, weekly social activities and courtesy shuttle transportation.

The Holiday Inn Express brand is an offering that IHG will use for existing lodging facilities being converted or retro-fit under the PAL program. Soon, IHG will introduce its all-suite, extended stay Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites brands that will offer a residential-style hotel with fully equipped kitchens and common areas.

Arthur Holst, vice president, Operations – IHG Army Hotels, said, “We are privileged to partner with the U.S. Army and Lend Lease on the PAL program to deliver IHG Army Hotels, which continues IHG’s heritage of innovative firsts in the hospitality industry. We have built our expertise, and inspired the loyalty of millions of guests, through the management and operation of strong hotel brands that continuously adapt to meet the evolving needs of diverse guests.”

With the growth of the IHG Army Hotels portfolio, IHG now directly employs nearly 1,800 people at on-post lodging facilities in hospitality management and staff positions.