InterContinental has launched a new prototype for its Crowne Plaza brand ” one which is focussed on providing meetings facilities for the business traveller. Designed to meet the needs of the emerging marketplace, the prototype is based on research conducted by the company from meeting planners and guests.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts vice president brand management Kevin Kowalski explained their findings: ”While traditional meetings that occur in our designated meeting space are critical, guests also desire the flexibility and control to conduct business throughout all areas of the hotel, both formally and informally. We leveraged this customer insight to make the public space design modern, efficient and relevant to today”s traveller. For example, the lobby area and lounge contain soft seating with adjacent hard surfaces, power sources and Wi-Fi to accommodate smaller, informal meetings and individuals working outside their rooms.”
Included in the new prototype are meeting rooms with movable partitions/walls, multi-zone flexible lighting, ergonomic chairs, Wi-Fi access and backlit projection screens.
Guest rooms are also to be centred around the business traveller ” with flat screen television featuring laptop plug-in, ergonomic chair with mobile workstation, multiple power sources and Wi-Fi access throughout.
The first of the new prototypes is due to open in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA) in 2008.