Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel New Orleans Receives AAA Four Diamonds Award for Second Year

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Cary Alden
Don Zimmer
504-834-7517,
504-914-7517 (cell)
Director of Sales & Marketing
caldenpr@cox.net
dzimmer@astorneworleans.com

 

 ASTOR CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL NEW ORLEANS RECEIVES AAA FOUR DIAMONDS AWARD FOR SECOND YEAR

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Package from $279

NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 6, 2012  The Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel has been recognized for the second year in a row as a AAA Approved, Four Diamond hotel based on the results of AAA's latest hotel evaluation.

In awarding the Astor Crowne Plaza, AAA acknowledges the hotel as one of North America's select accommodations. Only four percent of over 31,000 properties approved by AAA achieve this prestigious distinction.

Receiving the Four-Diamond Award confirms the hotel staff's continued hard work and commitment to providing our guests exceptional service, accommodations and amenities, said Peter Ambros, general manager. I am extremely proud of our devoted team who give so much to their jobs. They truly deserve this high honor once again.

Astor Crowne Plaza Offers $279 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Package
The Astor Crowne Plaza is perfectly located for all of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) events! Come experience the the hotel?s Deluxe Accommodations and two tickets for either the Friday or Saturday Grand Tasting May 25 or 26. One night including tickets is $279 based on double occupancy. Rates do not include taxes. Additional nights are $149 per night. Package nights can be secured only through the following link:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/new-orleans/msyla/hoteldetail?groupCode=NOW

For additional nights, please call the hotel directly at 888-696-4806

The 20th Anniversary of the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience, which takes place May 22-26, 2012, includes Wine Dinners hosted by more than 30 New Orleans area restaurants; Vinola, NOWFE's premium tasting event; the Royal Street Stroll sponsored by Rouses, NOWFE's signature event, a definitive evening event set in the heart of the French Quarter; and exciting Culinary Seminars which will fill the days and nights with all things wine and food. The weekend culminates with Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday in true grand fashion with more than 175 wineries showcasing over 1000 wines and 75 chefs serving culinary delights from our region. NOWFE benefits local charities each year.

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Built in 2002, the Astor Crowne Plaza is a grand hotel with 693 rooms including 28 spacious suites at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets. Extraordinarily situated in the heart of downtown and at the gateway to the French Quarter, the address also serves as home to the award-winning Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House restaurant, one of the most popular dining establishments in New Orleans. Part of the collection of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and managed by Hospitality Management Corporation, the hotel has increased meeting space to 32,000 square feet with prime outdoor balconies overlooking the sights of Bourbon, Canal and Iberville streets. For reservations and more information please visit our website at www.astorneworleans.com or call (504) -962-0500.

The Astor Crowne Plaza completed an extensive $11 million renovation in January 2009. It was the first since the hotel's opening in 2002. The project received the acclaimed Renovation Award at the InterContinental Hotels Group's 2009 Americas Investors & Leadership Conference held in Washington DC, The Astor Crowne Plaza was one of 47 hotels who were considered for the award from a portfolio of over 4,300 hotels.

Guest Rooms

The extensive updating of guestrooms is all about Astor Crowne Plaza comfort, including the existing Sleep Advantage standard bedding with pillow top mattresses, luxurious linens and duvets. All guestrooms and suites have received new furnishings, wall coverings, drapes, and furniture in keeping with the hotel's traditional style but with a sleeker appeal in a combination of rich soothing colors, textures and styles. Custom-designed lighting has been added to desks and nightstands for better illumination. Upgraded wireless internet access has been installed to provide better speed and reliability.

Executive Lounge/Fitness Center

The Executive Lounge on the hotel's Club Level floor has been enlarged to double its size to provide privileged guests a view of the city's comings and goings along famed Bourbon Street while enjoying breakfast service, evening snacks, beverages and evening cocktails serviced by an attentive staff. As well, the Fitness Center has been expanded to twice its size with new flooring, wall coverings, three new flat-screen TVs and new equipment that includes life cycles, aerobic equipment and a free-weight universal set.

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About Hospitality Management Corporation

Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), founded in 1971, is a privately-owned independent management company, and is one of the oldest independent hotel management firms in the lodging industry. For over three decades, HMC has provided hotel management services for third party institutional and private owners. The company's headquarters has been located in Dallas, Texas since its inception. For more information on HMC, please visit our website at www.hospitalitymgt.com

About InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG)

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,800 hotels and more than 571,000 guestrooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide. IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at http://www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at http://www.priorityclub.com

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