ATLANTA - The InterContinental Hotels Group announces that Staybridge Suites began construction on its newest hotel in Chantilly, Va. The 142-room all-suite hotel is expected to be the newest extended-stay hotel in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, once completed.

"We are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of the Staybridge Suites-Chantilly," said Jim Anhut, senior vice president of Brand Management for Staybridge Suites hotels. "With the addition of the Chantilly development to the existing portfolio of hotels and the more than 50 in development the Staybridge Suites brand continues to move forward on a path of accelerated growth," said Anhut.

The $15 million, 100,000-sq. ft. suburban hotel is located near key area corporations and destinations which include the Dulles International Airport, Boeing Corp, AeroSpace/Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Federal Express and the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum.

The hotel, owned by Artee & Associates, LLC and managed by Axar Management is operated under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

"We are excited about beginning construction on this new property and the growth of Axar Management's relationship with InterContinental Hotels Group," said Heeren Patel, president, Axar Management, Inc. "I have a great deal of confidence in the Staybridge Suites brand and its leadership," said Patel.

Staybridge Suites hotels cater to extended-stay guests and offer competitive rates to business travelers. Guests will be able to choose from a selection of three suite configurations (deluxe studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom/2 bath). All suites will feature functional, well-lit work stations with ergonomic seating in every suite, fully equipped kitchens, data ports, two-line speaker phone with voicemail and direct dial access and high-speed internet access is also available.

The new property will offer several unique amenities such as complimentary guest laundry and workout facilities, complimentary shuttle, jogging trail, an indoor pool, deluxe complimentary breakfast buffet featuring two hot items and a 24-hour business services center. In addition, future guests will enjoy gathering in the hotel's Great Room for nightly "Sundowners" receptions for refreshments, light appetizers and conversation.

The property will offer Priority Club Rewards, the world's first hotel loyalty program. Guests benefit from new member-preferred features like points transfer, points purchase and the fastest way to Elite status, with competitive features of no blackout dates and no point expiration to form a powerful program that is easy and truly rewarding.

According to CNN: "The new Priority Club Rewards program is the best one around..." Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests may enroll online at www.priorityclub.com , call 800-272-9273, or register at any Staybridge Suites hotel.

The Chantilly, Va. hotel will be located at 3860 Centerview Drive and is scheduled to open in July 2004. For more information and reservations call 1-800-238-8000.

About Staybridge Suites - The Staybridge Suites® by Holiday Inn® brand is an innovative all-suite hotel meeting the needs of the extended-stay guest. It is ideal for travelers seeking a residential-style hotel that is perfect for business, relocation, and vacations. The amenities include three suite types with fully equipped kitchens, complimentary breakfast buffet and evening reception, and 24-hour business services with high-speed Internet access.

Staybridge Suites entered the extended-stay market in December 1998 when its flagship location in Alpharetta, Georgia, opened. Since that opening the Staybridge Suites brand continues to grow rapidly, recently becoming the "Fastest to Fifty." Staybridge Suites achieved its 50th hotel opening faster than any other brand in the up-market extended stay segment.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,300 hotels and 515,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (). The Group owns a portfolio of well-recognized and respected hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge Suites, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK.

InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels and, for the Group's rewards program, www.priorityclub.com.

Natasha Gullett
(770) 604-5597
IHG