By BW Hotelier

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS Group (IHG) will be setting up shop with its Crowne Plaza brand in Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc by 2017. The brand’s third Vietnamese venture will be a 300 room property which will be developed by local real-estate giant, M.I.K Corporation.
The property, christened Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, will be a part of the new Star Bay/Green Hill development, which will also feature a lagoon, beach village and a range of shops, restaurants and bars.
Leanne Harwood, Vice President, Operations, South East Asia, IHG said: ’Phu Quoc is going through exciting times. We've seen the positive impact that development of the new international airport has bought, and the upcoming expansion of the cruise terminal will also help drive tourism. The visa-free entry for a series of travellers has also helped growth in visitor arrivals."
A wedding chapel which IHG says will be ideal for those looking for a unique wedding destination and a 240-seater ballroom will be one of the highlights of the hotel. The property will also host a business centre for guests on vacation and a dedicated meeting an events team to assist clients set up and transform any of the six places available for the same.
Located in north-west Phu Quoc along the white sand Dai beach, guests would be minutes away from the waters and would also be able to enjoy a beachside experience at the all-day dining ’Surf Shack’.
The IHG also plans for a 173 room Holliday Inn in Cairns, Australia. Located at a key access point for the Great Barrier Reef, the hotel is currently operating as the Mercure Carins Harbourside and will undergo extensive refurbishing before opening as a Holiday Inn later this year.