Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn(R) Officially Opens Memorial Day Weekend 2005

Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn(R) Officially Opens Memorial Day Weekend 2005

$110 Million Hotel Complex with 777 Suites Promises Families the Ultimate Vacation Experience

ORLANDO, Fla., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The first-ever Nickelodeon-branded resort is set to open here Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30). The $110 million complex designed exclusively for families is a natural alignment of two widely successful brands with common goals and a vision of a world where kids lead: Nickelodeon and Holiday Inn.

Unveiling Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn completes the $25 million transformation of the existing Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort Lake Buena Vista into the first Nickelodeon hotel and adds the network's entertainment brand and style to the hotel's family focused environment. The experience begins as kids sign in at the Kid's Desk and extends to every aspect of the hotel's design. Nickelodeon themes can be found throughout the hotel -- from the giant iconic lobby, to the facade and interior of all of the buildings.

"Kids have a big influence in planning family vacations, and we wanted to provide them with the ultimate hotel experience," said Howard Smith, senior vice president of Nickelodeon Recreation. "With Nick-branded KidSuites(R) units providing parents and kids with separate bedrooms, a unique kids' check- in area, an interactive water park area, and so much more, families are going to find that this is the best hotel in Orlando to meet their unique lodging needs."

"The partnership with Nickelodeon elevates an already award-winning Holiday Inn resort from family lodging to a true family vacation destination and entertainment experience," said Mark Snyder, senior vice president, brand management, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, The Americas. "This powerful brand alignment will create a world where the characters of Nickelodeon come to life and green slime abounds."

The hotel features 2- and 3-Bedroom KidSuites units, each with a separate parlor area that includes a 25" TV, pull-out sofa and rocking chair, and game table; an adult bedroom with a king- or queen-size bed; and a Nick-themed kid's bedroom with two twin beds or bunk beds with a pull-out sleeper bed, 20" TV, and more. Each KidSuite features themes and characters from top-rated Nickelodeon shows including: SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron, and Danny Phantom.

Two Nick-themed courtyards, each include a sprawling pool with waterslides, flumes, poolside games, and multi-story erupting geysers. One of the pools highlights the ultimate splashdown under a 400-gallon dump tank. The Mall, which is the hub of all activity for the hotel, features a food court with nationally branded eateries, and Studio Nick, a million dollar state-of-the-art theater presenting live, interactive Nickelodeon entertainment for families. Kids can enjoy The Arcade, a 3,000-square-foot game room with prizes and a movie and game rental shop; and, Nicktoons Cafe where daily character breakfasts take place featuring select favorite Nick characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Cosmo and Wanda from The Fairly OddParents. In addition, a Kid's Spa features services such as hair braiding, hair wraps and temporary tattoos.

"We are focused on creating the ultimate kid-friendly vacation experience at this hotel," said Terry Whaples, operating partner and president of the hotel. "Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn is the total experience of a resort that respects the needs of kids, parents and extended family members alike, and provides an unforgettable vacation experience."

KidSuites, featured in the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, were introduced in 1996 by Holiday Inn and provided separate sleeping and entertainment areas for both kids and adults. The KidSuites concept, which was an amenity unique to the family travel mecca of Orlando, quickly spread to more than 50 Holiday Inn hotels and resorts in destinations around the world. It then evolved into the 2-Bedroom KidSuites concept featured in the Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort.

General Motors will lend support to the official opening of the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn. A Chevrolet Uplander, along with a product specialist, will be on-site at the hotel for two months during the grand opening.

For more information, visit http://www.nickhotel.com/ .

Source: Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn

CONTACT: Angela Richmond, Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, +1-407-423-8006, or ARichmond@TheStrategicFirm.com; or Joanna Roses, Nickelodeon, +1-212-846-7326, or joanna.roses@nick.com; or Virginia Bush, Holiday Inn, +1-770-604-2037, or Virginia.Bush@ichotelsgroup.com

Web site: http://www.nickhotel.com/

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