Developed to be more efficient to build, operate and maintain, the 102,000 square foot hotel will bring the iconic heritage of the Holiday Inn brand to life in a modern, innovative design that will set new standards for business travellers and families alike. In addition to featuring the Sporting News Grill, the Holiday Inn Arlington-Northeast will showcase the brand’s new sign, which is the seal of approval that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand re-launch program. First announced in 2007, the re-launch program was established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency.

“Focus groups have shown that our guests love sports, and providing them a place to watch their favourite team and grab a bite to eat while away from home is a fitting complement to our current involvement as the ‘Official Hotel of Major League Baseball’ and sponsor of the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer,” said John Merkin, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brands, the Americas. “As the home of the Texas Rangers and the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, Arlington was a natural choice for the second location of the Sporting News Grill, and we look forward to showing off our new sign.”

Bold photographs taken from the rich archive of the Sporting News pay tribute to both legendary and contemporary athletes as well as some of the greatest moments in sports history, while plasma televisions broadcast current games and events. Unique “plasma trees” constructed using high-quality plasma screen televisions are surrounded by a perimeter of tables and chairs, providing guests with an unobstructed view of the action from any angle.

The restaurant’s design by Fort Lauderdale, Fla. based Zspace Inc. is contemporary and stylish, yet focuses on comfort and avoids pretension. Design touches like hardwood-style flooring, solid wood tables and unique circular booth seating are intended to elevate the overall experience for guests. And the division between the bar and seated dining area make the restaurant an equally suitable option for social events or a business dinner.

Guests at the Holiday Inn Arlington-Northeast will see artwork throughout the hotel reflecting memorable images from the Holiday Inn brand history, including founder Kemmons Wilson departing his Holiday Inn jet, a stylized version of the Great Sign – the iconic beacon that came to embody the brand – and the Great Sign as a ‘50s-style movie set backdrop.

The hotel design debuts a bold change in room décor for Holiday Inn, creating a residential atmosphere that features iconic representations of the brand’s history throughout the hotel. The bedspread and carpet display simple, organic patterns in stand-out colours like gold, black and vibrant red, and each guestroom features a newly designed breakaway armoire that allows guests to see the TV from anywhere in the room. Upgraded features like faux leather ottomans, a variety of lamps, refrigerators and granite vanities will all be standard in each room. The residential design includes business-focused necessities like an ergonomic work station, data ports, complementary high speed Internet access, WiFi capabilities and AT&T VoIP phone systems, which will allow guests to conduct conference calls for up to six participants even while using their computer online. In addition, each room will have the standard Holiday Inn guestroom accommodations – comfortable double, queen or king-sized beds, a sitting area with a lounge chair, cable television, hairdryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, iron and ironing board.

The Holiday Inn Arlington-Northeast will also offer a variety of other amenities including outside patios for dining, socializing or special events, a media room with 62” LCD HGTV with surround sound and complimentary airport shuttle service. With 2,400 square feet of function space, the hotel will also be available for business meetings and banquets.