InterContinental Hotels & Resorts unveils its latest hotel today, with the opening of InterContinental Kiev, situated at St. Michael's Square, Kiev's most recognized landmark. The luxury hotel has been designed to offer a sense of place that is authentic to the charm and character of its location.

Built to match its historical surroundings, the hotel's traditional style is grand and elegant. Business travelers will appreciate the hotel's proximity to government agencies, embassies and corporate entities. When it's time for leisure, a wealth of shopping, historical and cultural sights are nearby including St. Michael's Church, the Opera House, Khreschatyk (Kiev main street) and the Museum of Eastern and Western Art.

Occupying a city centre address between three of the most famous churches of ancient Eastern Christendom - St. Michael's Cathedral, St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. Sophia - the hotel is surrounded by golden cupolas and is the perfect base from which to explore the cradle of the ‘Kievan Rus'.

InterContinental Kiev's General Manager Leon Larkin said: "Like many of our sister InterContinental hotels around the world, in world capitals such as London, Paris, Hong Kong and Sydney, the location of InterContinental Kiev could not have been more strategic. Our doors open directly to some of the best-known landmarks in this city and our contemporary-classical façade blends perfectly into the heritage and culture of the immediate area."

The 11-storey hotel is designed by celebrated Ukrainian architect Sergey Babushkin. Its angular marble-and-glass façade is an artful blend of classical and contemporary features, highlighted by a three-meter statue of the Greek Goddess Nike by Ukrainian sculptor Michael Reva. The hotel's interiors are created by well-known British designer John Tweedie and offer an authentic perspective of the region's rich heritage. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by an air of elegant refinement, reminiscent of noble Ukrainian homes. The residential lobby and public areas feature cream and pale yellow marble floors, black marble columns, handmade Italian furniture by Armando Rho, exquisite drapes, and specially-commissioned Eastern European art and lighting fixtures.

InterContinental Kiev offers 272 deluxe rooms, including five Ambassador Suites and two signature suites - a 212-square-metre Royal Suite and larger 314-square-metre Presidential Suite, both overlooking St Michael's Square. The Presidential Suite has enhanced security features with exclusive private lift access, and has been specifically designed to host visiting heads of state and high-level dignitaries. All guest rooms and suites are classical in style, with furniture by distinguished British designer David Salmon, silk drapes and upholstery in light blue, gold and burgundy accents and traditional wood detailing. Rooms and suites are equipped with the latest business and entertainment technology including high speed wireless Internet access, Philips plasma televisions and iPod docking stations, and Cisco IP telephones.

InterContinental Kiev is anchored by three exceptional restaurants, featuring cuisine by renowned Executive Chef Hector Jimenez-Bravo. Comme il faut, the hotel's French restaurant, recreates a traditional Parisian brasserie experience inspired by the legendary Café de la Paix at InterContinental Paris Le Grand. Olivera, the hotel's casual all-day Italian-Mediterranean dining room, has an open kitchen, decadent buffets and guest-to-chef interactions as a focal point. The mood changes to a more dramatic tone at b-hush, the hotel's ultra-modern rooftop Champagne, caviar and seafood bar with panoramic views of historic Kiev. Anticipated to be the destination bar for the city's local elite, b-hush will also have an outdoor mahogany sky terrace overlooking St Michael's Square.

Located on the mezzanine floor with views over the Ukrainian Diplomatic Academy and a 20th century church, the Club InterContinental lounge has six distinct zones including a library, dining room, bar and relaxation area. The lounge is for the exclusive use of Club InterContinental guests, offering complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments, evening cocktails and personalized concierge services.

InterContinental Kiev is also home to the capital city's largest and most technologically advanced pillarless Grand Ballroom, for receptions of up to 450 guests. The also has a state-of-the-art conference centre, a stunning spa and health club and indoor swimming pool.

Through its location, design and local knowledge, InterContinental Kiev is committed to providing guests with truly local, authentic and enriching perspectives of Ukraine. Each employee is empowered to share their local knowledge, so guests make the most of their stay in Kiev. Joining her global counterparts in 160 other locations worldwide, InterContinental Kiev's chief concierge Katerina Khrapko will engage with guests prior to their arrival, through information-rich destination-specific interactive websites and videos. For more information, visit www.intercontinentalvideo.com

InterContinental Kiev will also offer guests unique insights to Ukraine through a carefully selected range of Insider Experiences packages, available at every InterContinental Hotels & Resorts location worldwide. The Insider Experiences collection in Kiev includes cooking lessons and visits to the Bessarabka Bazaar food market by Executive Chef, guided tours of Kiev's collection of underground cave churches and monasteries, private boat trips along the Dnieper River, and front row seats plus exclusive backstage tours of the Taras Shevchenko Opera House.

More information: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts