IHG signs two EVEN™ Hotels properties, confirming locations for the highly-anticipated first hotels and continuing development momentum for the holistic wellness brand.

The hotels, located at 1775 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Md., and 426 Main Avenue in Norwalk, Conn., are strategically located in major feeder markets for Washington, D.C. and New York City, and are well-suited to meet the demands of the large population of wellness-mined people living in and traveling to those areas.

"We are excited to add these two new properties to our pipeline, and continue the development momentum for the EVEN Hotels brand, beyond New York City, in two strong, strategic markets. Locating the hotels in Rockville and Norwalk – both affluent communities with a high wellness-minded resident and traveler base – firmly establishes our wellness-focused brand near major markets where the existing IHG family of brands already has a broad footprint," said Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG. "The reactions we have seen and heard from consumers, our business partners and within the hotel industry since introducing the brand support that EVEN Hotels is the right brand, meeting the right need within the mainstream lifestyle category for today's travelers."

The properties will be conversions of existing structures, designed to the unique specifications of the EVEN Hotels brand in order to offer a consistent holistic wellness experience. Both will feature flexible public workspaces; dining and social areas; natural outdoor spaces; in-room fitness elements; a state of the art, three-zone gym and flex space for small group fitness classes; as well as design and technology elements to help guests maintain the balance they desire. The square foot EVEN hotel in Rockville will feature 167 guest rooms and seven guestroom floors, while the Norwalk property will feature 129 guest rooms and four floors. They are expected to open in early 2014.

The hotels are located in key business markets with a significant over-index of wellness-minded travelers. Montgomery County is located at the center of the Washington, D.C. federal and advanced technology marketplace, and home to the headquarters of more than 60 major companies, many in the technology, financial services and healthcare segments. The Washington, D.C. area is a key growth market for EVEN Hotels and the hotel, along the Rockville Pike Corridor, is a significant investment for the brand. Located in a multi-story, mixed-use development, the property will demonstrate how the EVEN Hotels brand's flexible design can work in a more complex, non-traditional hotel space. The Greater D.C. Metropolitan Region is home to approximately 660 properties and 106,051 rooms[1], and the Rockville EVEN hotel will be the only hotel in the region offering a complete wellness experience at a mainstream price-point.

The Norwalk EVEN hotel is strategically positioned in an area of significant business development and as one of the first properties to premier the new brand, will serve as a prototype to showcase the new brand and conversion process.  Norwalk, Conn., is part of the New York metropolitan area and headquarters to numerous international businesses including the U.S. headquarters of Virgin Atlantic, Diageo North America, Pepperidge Farm® and Xerox®. Leisure travelers to the area can enjoy watersports, camping and fishing in the nearby Norwalk Islands. Other nearby attractions include The Maritime Museum, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the South Norwalk Historic District and the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Nature Trail.

"EVEN Hotels supports the growing segment of the traveling public for whom wellness – both at home and when traveling – is so important," said Adam Glickman, head of EVEN Hotels. "In fact, a recent consumer and shopper insights report from McKinsey & Company estimates that global health and wellness sales will reach $1 trillion by 2017. We know that our target guests want a wellness partner on the road and we are here to meet that need. Through our holistic wellness offering, innovative technologies and distinct service culture, this brand will help guests find the balance they seek while away from home."

The EVEN Hotels brand concept is a result of more than 24 months of consumer insights research and offers a holistic approach to enabling wellness in travel. The brand offers a fresh perspective on wellness travel and provides guests a variety of options to help them Eat Well, Rest Easy, Keep Active and Accomplish More, supported by in-hotel and mobile technologies and a unique team member education and certification program.