InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced plans to expand its Hotel Indigo brands throughout the North America.

The recently opened Hotel Indigo Houston in Texas marked the group’s fourth Indigo property and a further 20 hotels are planned for Tennesse, Florida and Texas as well as Ottawa in Canada. The brand features seasonally updated contemporary furnishings and décor.

IHG also plans to open a further 50 Holiday Inn hotels, which will feature a contemporary design and artwork reflecting images from the Holiday Inn brand history.

In addition, the group has signed an agreement with Geneva-based Cofis Compagnie Fiduciaire to significantly increase its Express by Holiday Inn brand presence in France.

Under the agreement, 11 new Express by Holiday Inn hotels will be built over the next five years across France, with the first property opening in Saint-Nazaire near Nantes in December 2007. Details: www.hotelindigo.com or www.holiday-inn.com

Photograph: Hotel Indigo-branded bedroom