The new Holiday Inn is open in brand’s birthplace, owned by family of Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inn.
The 133-room Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Memphis-Wolfchase Galleria has opened, bringing the seventh Holiday Inn to the city, where the brand took root in 1952. A grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting took place on Aug 1 this year, exactly 57 years to the day after the first Holiday Inn opened.
The property is based on the Holiday Inn brand’s ‘Next-Generation’ prototype design, while the new sign is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand relaunch program.
Relaunched hotels such as the Holiday Inn Memphis-Wolfchase feature upgraded and de-cluttered lobby areas; new crisp, white bedding with pillows that come in two comfort levels, ‘soft’ and ‘firm’; upgraded showers with specially designed showerheads that offer superior pressure; signature shower curtain with curved rod and new bathroom amenities; new exterior lighting; landscaping; new signage with the redesigned logo.
The property has an original room set on display; including bed, desk, lamp and chair from the very first Holiday Inn; a collection of 80 historical photos are hung throughout the hotel, including photos of the first stock trade of Holiday Inn, the first royalty check, and a photo of Kemmons Wilson with notable figures such as Pope John Paul II and Muhammad Ali.
The property’s 93,033 square feet footprint is developed to be more efficient to build, operate and maintain. It features a contemporary, innovative design that sets new standards for business travelers and families alike. The hotel design debuts a bold change in room décor for Holiday Inn, and creates a residential atmosphere that is warm, trend-forward, and comfortable. The hotel showcases a natural, fresh color palette punctuated by pops of energetic colors.
The residential design includes business-focused necessities such as ergonomic work station, data ports, complimentary high speed Internet access in guest rooms, WiFi capabilities, and AT&T VoIP phone systems. The full-service hotel also includes a Kem’s Restaurant, named after Kemmons Wilson.
The Holiday Inn Memphis-Wolfchase offers a variety of other amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center, indoor heated pool and whirlpool, and gift shop. The facility also features more than 3,000 square feet of function space.
The Holiday Inn Memphis Wolfchase-Galleria is owned and managed by Wilson Hotel Management, a division of Kemmons Wilson, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.
IGH, the world’s largest hotel group by the number of rooms, has about seven brands in its kitty, including the Holiday Inn.
