Hotel & Tours Group

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced a project to open the world's biggest Holiday Inn in Moscow.

The hotel chain has reached a deal with the Crocus Group that will see construction of the record-breaking property begin in 2011, with a scheduled completion date in 2014.

In addition to its 1,000 guest rooms, the new Holiday Inn will boast 2,500 square metres of meeting facilities, three restaurants and a 1,200-square-metre health club.

The hotel will be based in Crocus City, a retail and leisure complex in the Krasnogorsk area of Moscow that comprises entertainment venues, a shopping centre and other facilities.

Kirk Kinsell, IHG's president in Europe, said: "Ten years ago we opened our first Holiday Inn in Moscow. In five years we're going to open the world's biggest Holiday Inn in this wonderful city. This deal marks a seminal moment for IHG and shows the progress we are making in this important gateway city."

With 13 hotels currently in development to join its seven existing properties in Russia, IHG is reportedly the country's largest international hotel operator.