IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces the opening of the new Holiday Inn Express SanDiego South – National City, conveniently located just off Interstate 805 and minutes from San Diego International Airport and major tourist attractions, including the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. The former Comfort Inn, located at 1645 E. Plaza Boulevard, recently underwent a $2 million renovation of the entire 91-room hotel, including all guest rooms and the public spaces. The newest Holiday Inn Express in the San Diego area, the hotel is conveniently located and caters to both business and leisure travelers. It is just a short distance from the San Diego Convention Center, cruise ship terminals and the downtown Gaslamp District. Other attractions include Knotts Soak City Water Park, Historic Old Town and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Also nearby are a wide variety of restaurants along with entertainment and shopping areas. The new hotel includes features in keeping with the $1 billion Holiday Inn relaunch, the largest project of its kind in the history of the hospitality industry. First announced in 2007, the relaunch program creates a more contemporary brand image as part of the drive to increase quality and consistency across the global portfolio. The program focuses on arrival and welcome services, guestroom and guest-bath comfort, and a redesigned logo and signage. “Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed to be the smart choice for value-conscious business and leisure travelers,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Management, The Americas, IHG.  “With more than 2,000 properties worldwide and hundreds more in the pipeline, the Holiday Inn Express portfolio continues to provide our guests with an enhanced-stay experience at a great value.  We welcome this new hotel into the Holiday Inn family.”