It's nothing unusual for a hotel chain to concentrate on China as a growth market; InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) was the first international hotelier in the country and has operated there for thirty years. What is novel, however, is IHG's newest Chinese play: Hualuxe, which the company describes in a press release as "the first international brand designed specially for the Chinese traveller."

"Hua" translates into 'majestic China' and "Luxe," of course, stands for 'luxury.' IHG says it already tailors the hotels it operates in China to local tastes, but Hualuxe will take the concept one well-shod step further to attract the high-end traveler.Continue reading...

While some hotels may be considered trendy, you wouldn't think a major global hotel chain would watch lifestyle trends so carefully that it would launch brands around them.

But InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is different. Back in 2004, IHG introduced Hotel Indigo, widely regarded as the first of the boutique hotel brands that started a trend among large hoteliers. In 2007, IHG started refurbishing its somewhat dowdy Holiday Inn brand and gave franchisees until the end of 2010 to "contemporize" or risk losing rights to use the iconic name. Today, most Holiday Inns have been updated to reflect a whole new look. Holiday Inn Express, which pioneered the limited-service hotel segment in 1990, is one of the fastest growing hotel brands.

Now IHG is bringing a new hotel brand to the chain's biggest U.S. cities, bucking the trend of major chains making investments in Asia and Europe while avoiding a soft and saturated North American market. The just-announced brand, called EVEN Hotels, is all about lifestyle — a healthy one.Continue reading...

It seems as if hotels have figured out at least one way to work around a challenging travel market -- create distinct brands that offer something different.

A North American hotel customer satisfaction report just released by J.D. Power and Associates shows that, over the past year, travelers are happier when they stay in newer boutique hotels as opposed to traditional branded hotels.Continue reading...

Hotel groups are putting the power of branding to work, both to differentiate one hotel brand from another, and to distinguish each brand so that it has its own special, unique appeal.

No one knows that better than CEO Andrew Cosslett of InterContinental Hotels Group, owner of such leading hotel brands as InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Hotel Indigo.

Cosslett says hotels recovering from the weakened worldwide economy now need to rely on "brand strength."Continue reading...

Walmart discounts iPhone 3GS to $97, sparking rumors of its demise next month, when Apple will reveal the next iPhone (possibly with video chat).

Facebook ads attract brands including Lexus, Wendy's, ESPN, Sony Pictures, Bose, and Hardee's.

As the Times of London puts up its paywall, the New York Times says its paywall will be "blogger-friendly."

BP sticks with chemical dispersant, expert confident in oil well plan as the spill spreads. Mock Twitter feed is least of worries.

Budweiser is producing a special editon metallic World Cup bottle.Continue reading...