"Working closely with our hotels to make high-speed Internet access a standard across our brands is an important step to delivering the high quality experience that our guests deserve," said Tom Seddon, SVP, Americas Brand Performance. "More often when people travel they use their hotel room as an extension of their office environment and expect this type of technology to be available so they can travel and work comfortably."

High speed Internet access has always been a brand standard and available at Staybridge Suites hotels since the brand's launch in 1998. Crowne Plaza is expected to install high speed Internet access by the end of 2004, as well as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, where it will be free to guests. InterContinental Hotels and Resorts will complete worldwide installation by end of Q1 2005.

"While approximately 30 - 50 percent of the hotels in our system (North America) already offer high speed, by making this amenity standard, guests will know that they'll have the necessary connectivity to help them work easier at any of our hotels," said Seddon.

InterContinental Hotels and Resorts

• By end of Q1 2005, all InterContinental hotels globally are to offer high-speed access in all guestrooms, as well as wireless in the lobby and other primary public areas. Pricing will be determined at the individual hotel level.

• By the end of 2004, all Crowne Plaza hotels in North America are to offer the following. Pricing will be determined at the hotel level.
• Either 100% of guestrooms to offer wireless or 1/3 of guestrooms to offer wired hi-speed.
• Wireless in common areas.
• Wired or wireless available in every meeting room, with at least one meeting room to be wired.

• By the end of 2004, all of the more than 1000 Holiday Inn hotels in North America are to offer free high speed Internet access in all guestrooms and in some public and meeting areas.

• By the end of 2004, all of the more than 1200 Holiday Inn Express hotels in North America are to offer free high speed Internet access in all guestrooms and in some public and meeting areas.

High-speed Internet access has always been available in all guestrooms, meeting rooms and public areas at Staybridge Suites hotels in North America since the brand's launch in 1998. Staybridge Suites currently has 72 properties nationwide.