NOVEMBER 13, 2008. The new Hotel Indigo will be located in Channelside, one of Tampa's fastest growing neighborhoods, currently undergoing an upswing in development. Guests at the Hotel Indigo Tampa Downtown-Channelside will be within walking distance to the Florida Aquarium, St. Pete Times Forum and the Tampa Port Authority's modern cruise ship terminal. Also nearby is Channelside's outdoor plaza, often a venue for live music and entertainment. Conveniently connected by Tampa's historic streetcar system, the seven-story Hotel Indigo will be only five blocks from the Tampa Convention Center. Also connected by the streetcar system is Ybor City, Tampa's Latin Quarter, known for over a century for its wide variety of cuisine, boutique shops, art galleries and nightspots.

'We're pleased to be working with BayStar Hotel Group to bring two Hotel Indigo properties to the Tampa area,' said Jim Anhut, senior vice president, Franchise Development, the Americas, IHG. 'The branded boutique style of Hotel Indigo will allow us to offer our guests at both properties the conveniences of a branded hotel and the service personality and style cachet of a boutique property, all wrapped into a completely unique design experience at each location.'

The Hotel Indigo Tampa Downtown-Channelside is owned by a joint venture partnership, Seaboard Hotel Associates, LLC, comprised of Tampa's BayStar Hotel Group and the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Ballast Point Group, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. The hotel will be developed and managed by BayStar Hotel Group. In addition, BayStar Hotel Group is converting the historic Heritage Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., to a Hotel Indigo and expects to open that property in early 2009.

'Our company is based in Tampa, and we like the vibrant and up-and-coming feel of the Channelside area. The Hotel Indigo is a perfect fit for this part of downtown Tampa,' said Ford Smith, president of BayStar Hotel Group. 'This project also fits BayStar's philosophy of developing in untapped, niche markets. We're excited to be part of this urban redevelopment.'

Upon entering the Hotel Indigo, guests will be greeted by staff at an open surfboard-shaped table, instead of an imposing lobby desk. Overlooking downtown Tampa and Tampa Bay from the vantage of the third floor is a heated swimming pool and spacious deck, suitable for parties and wedding receptions.

The Hotel Indigo will feature signature design elements including oversized lobby chairs, which create a personal work or dining space within the public areas of the hotel, cozy, airy and inviting guestrooms with plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring and spa-inspired showers, and a 'Phi'tness Studio with cardio equipment and free weights. The hotel will also offer Phi, an on-site casual gourmet restaurant, a 24-hour business center, 2,700 square feet of meeting space for business functions or special events, and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel.

Boutique hotels, known for their intimate, luxurious environments in addition to personalized accommodations and services, have gained increasing popularity throughout North America. Hotel Indigo is known as the industry's first branded boutique hotel, artfully combining the conveniences and consistencies of a brand hotel with the design cache and service personality of a boutique at an attractive price. The soul of the brand's retail-inspired concept is renewal - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh, similar to the way retailers change their window displays. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. The hotel features renewable elements such as vivid nature-inspired murals, area rugs, plush duvets and slip covers that will change periodically. Public spaces will be transformed seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora and murals.