Jan 22, 2004/FW/ --- Just in time for Sao Paolo Fashion Week, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world's most global hotel company, today announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Select Jaraguá in central São Paulo, the 23rd Holiday Inn property for IHG in Latin America, and the 8th in Brazil.

The property is the completely renovated Hotel Jaraguá, the internationally-renowned hotel that helped usher international travel to Brazil's business capital in the 1950's.

The $17 million project is part of a major global re-development trend that is transforming city-centers through urban renewal.

The 26-story hotel features 415 guest rooms and 127 suites, along with three floors of conventions and meeting space totaling almost 18,000 square feet, and a capacity for up to 2,800 people. The facilities also include a theatre/auditorium with seating for 370, 18 virtual offices, and VIP meeting rooms with seating of up to 50 people.

The Holiday Inn Select Jaraguá melds the original glamour of the Hotel Jaraguá, with the comfort and high quality of a Holiday Inn Select. The hotel has retained its original façade, as well as a number of the amenities for which the area was renowned in the 1950's, such as a 24-hour confectioner's shop.

The property will be the second-largest Holiday Inn in Latin America, the first to be part of a major re-urbanization project.

"Brazil is clearly the most active hotel environment in Latin America," says Alvaro Diago, Area President Latin America, InterContinental Hotels Group.

"And, the continued exponential growth of the mid-scale travel segment has nothing but upside potential for the Holiday Inn brand," he adds. "It is one of the world's most recognized and respected hotel brands, and properties like the Jaragua will continue to further awareness of Holiday Inn in Latin America."

The Holiday Inn Select Jaragua is owned by Grupo Sol Invest, one of Brazil's most respected organizations. "We are extremely proud to be involved with Grupo Sol Invest," adds Diago. "They have painstakingly renovated the property, and it is once again one of Sao Paulo's jewels."

Equipped with all modern technological conveniences, the facilities includes capabilities for simultaneous translations, as well as a state-of-the-art in-house broadcast capabilities through which guests can interactively participate in meetings from their guest rooms.

The property also counts on a full array of food and beverage outlets, including an international restaurant with seating for 600, coffee-shop, lobby-bar, and a fast food restaurant in the ground floor. Guest amenities also include a complete fitness center with dry and steam saunas, jacuzzi , full spa capabilities and personal trainers.