InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the doors to the Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Bocagrande hotel in Cartagena, Colombia. The new-build, 200-room hotel is the second IHG property in the city of Cartagena and the 12th property in Colombia. The Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros hotel is currently open and the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias hotel will open later this year. The new Holiday Inn Express hotel is conveniently located in Bocagrande, the most modern area of Cartagena, which is home to numerous leisure attractions such as hotels, shops, restaurants, nightclubs and art galleries. The hotel is also near the city’s most famous tourist activities, which include the Old City, The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Rosario Islands and Cerro de La Popa.

“We are very pleased to introduce the Holiday Inn Express brand to Cartagena in conjunction with Grupo Contempo,” said Gerardo Murray, Regional Vice President, Distribution and Commercial Marketing, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean, IHG.

“Cartagena is now the fastest growing city in Colombia and is currently experiencing an influx of tourism. Known for providing guests an efficient stay with memorable, yet uncomplicated service, the Holiday Inn Express brand will certainly meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers in the city.”

Spanning 14 floors, the property is an IHG Green Engage hotel. The hotel offers travelers a comfortable stay with preferred guest upgrades with amenities that include a 24-hour fitness center with views of the Old City, two outdoor swimming pools, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business center, meeting spaces and complimentary parking. The complimentary Express Start™ breakfast bar features a full range of breakfast items, including regional and local dishes, a rotation of egg and meat selections, breads, yogurt, juices, fruit, pastries, cereals and coffee.

Located on the northern coast of Colombia, Cartagena, one of the oldest cities in the Americas, was founded by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia in 1533. It is Colombia’s fifth-largest urban area with a population of more than 1.2 million, and a key financial hub and tourist destination.

Cartagena’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea and massive churches. Its unique old world charm and modern infrastructure center has made Cartagena one of Colombia’s most successful cities.

Holiday Inn Express, www.ihg.com/hiexpress