Crowne Plaza to open in Micronesia

Fun in the sun in Micronesia.

Signs of life in the hotel industry this month with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) moving into the Mariana Islands in Micronesia.

The hospitality group has signed an agreement with Asia Pacific Hotels to take over the management of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan from May 2020 (subject to accessibility restrictions due to COVID-19).

The resort is located on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

The property will be rebranded as Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan with a reopening planned for 2022. During this time, the resort will be completely refurbished. A further 116-room extension is also planned for 2025.

The Fiesta Resort Saipan currently offers six dining outlets, a club lounge, a gym, multiple pools and has a 500-metre beach frontage.

Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands and is a popular family destination. It boasts white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, mountainous landscapes and several championship golf courses. Its shallow lagoons are perfect for family snorkelling expeditions. For keen divers, the area boasts The Grotto, one of the world’s top cavern dives.

It’s cited by no less than The Guinness Book of Records for having the least fluctuating temperatures in the world; expect a steady year-round 28 degrees. The dry season runs from December to June.  

The arc-shaped archipelago of Micronesia was formed from the summits of 15 volcanic mountains and the majority of the Micronesian islands are part of a coral atoll. 

“Saipan, and Micronesia more broadly, is a favourite destination for travellers from around the world,” said Abhijay Sandilya, IHG’s vice president development, Australasia, Japan and Pacific. “We look forward to growing the resort’s footprint with our world-class Crowne Plaza brand.”

IHG currently has 85 hotels operating under six brands across Australasia, Japan and the Pacific Islands, with another 42 in the pipeline.

Saipan is a three-hour flight from Tokyo.

In light of the coronavirus crisis, IHG is currently waiving cancellation fees and has launched a book now, pay later option for the rest of 2020. Special hotel rates are being offered across its portfolio for government and healthcare workers, the military and other groups working on the frontline.

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