This year is coming to a close, and it’s been 365 great days that we’ve had a chance to provide you with a higher rank of hospitality at IHG® Army Hotels. Though the year has come with its share of challenges, we’d like to enter the New Year by taking a look at some of the highlights of 2021 as we hope to continue our successes into 2022.
NEW LOCATION ON FORT JACKSON
Continuing our expansion on Fort Jackson, this year we opened a second Candlewood Suites® hotel on-post. This location is the sixteenth that Lendlease® and IHG Army Hotels have opened through the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL), and completes the two-building, 317-room hotel.
Both buildings, constructed in 2020 and 2021, were built using cross-laminated timber (CLT), which combines maximized strength and durability with conservation and sustainability benefits. Lendlease and IHG Army Hotels were the first to build a hotel out of CLT in the United States, and this location marks the fifth such venture.
As always, the new Candlewood Suites location continues the brand’s tradition of offering elevated amenities to each of its guests on post, including complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, swimming pool, laundry facilities, as well as the hallmark Candlewood Cupboard and Lending Locker.
TUNNEL TO TOWERS DONATIONS
This year was our second of raising money for the Tunnel to Towers organization, and our hotel teams from across the portfolio managed to more than double the total amount raised last year, with a final sum of over $35,000. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a non-profit organization that honors the sacrifice of FDNY Stephen Siller, who gave his life to save others on September 11th, 2001, by benefitting catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, first-responder families, and Gold Star families, as well as building mortgage-free smart homes for wounded veterans and first responders.
IHG Army Hotels across the country participated by hosting car washes, cookouts, bake sales and more, and we’re incredibly proud of the tremendous effort put forth by all of our colleagues.
Here’s what Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation had to say about our work:
“I want to thank IHG Army Hotels for all they do for America’s military community. IHG Army Hotels has a long history of contributing to worthy causes in their communities, and we are honored to receive this donation and their continued support."
In addition, Jay Caiafa, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Americas, said:
"I am humbled by Stephen Siller's story and how he sacrificed his life to help so many others. His family carries on his legacy today through the foundation's work, and we are honored to donate to this organization to further their impact in the military and first responder community. In the hospitality industry, our mission is to serve others, and our IHG Army Hotels colleagues have gone above and beyond to be a positive force for good in their local communities."
COMMEMORATING VETERANS DAY
This year we wanted to go beyond our traditional commemoration of Veterans Day and allow our friends and colleagues to show that we appreciate our Veterans more than the cliché “thank you for your service.” We were proud to create a giveaway sweepstakes that encouraged our followers on social media to post pictures of themselves holding a sign telling veterans what exactly they’re thankful for, and the result was an overwhelming success, with so many thoughtful entries that went above and beyond. We’re especially thankful to those who participated and as always are incredibly grateful to our military veterans for their service and sacrifice.
HOLIDAY CHEER FROM IHG ARMY HOTELS
To finish off the year, our hotels held all sorts of holiday themed activities; from lobby decorations to Gingerbread House competitions, there certainly was no lack of cheer! Continuing our volunteering efforts, our team members participated in the Empty Stocking Fund’s Santa’s Village and set up Letter to Santa stations at our front desks for families spending the season away from home.
Though 2021 came with its own share of challenges, IHG Army Hotels is incredibly humbled by what we’ve been able to accomplish together this year, and can’t wait to continue our momentum going into 2022. Looking forward to having you join us on-post in the New Year!