ATLANTA, GA (October 6, 2006) – Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis hotel has received the InterContinental Hotels Group 2006 Quality Excellence Award, given to hotels achieving distinction in all aspects of their operations.  IHG is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.

The Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis is one of 143 properties selected from the company’s more than 3,650 hotels in recognition of overall quality excellence.  The Quality of Excellence Award and Torchbearer Award is given to the top scoring Crowne Plazas in the system each year based on overall guest satisfaction. The Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis is ranked 9th among all Crowne Plazas based on overall guest satisfaction scores.

The hotel was honored at a special ceremony held during the 2006 IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Toronto, October 4 & 5, 2006.  Jim Waldvogel, General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis accepted the award.

“I am pleased to honor the Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis with the Quality Excellence Award,” said Steve Porter, president, the Americas, IHG. “Winners in this category demonstrate the highest standards in product quality, hotel operation and customer satisfaction.”

More than 3,500 franchise owners, operators and company officials attended the 2006 IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference.