InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has relaunched the 2,000th Holiday Inn hotel to benefit from a major US$1bn (£662m, €739m) overhaul of the estate.

More than 3,200 properties across the world are set to be refurbished as part of IHG's investment in the Holiday Inn business, with the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Waterfront, Scotland, marking the latest milestone. The group unveiled details of the relaunch programme in October 2007, which will comprise 430,000 bedrooms and will see all Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express sites upgraded.

Each of the new-look hotels boast an improved lobby area, new bedding, upgraded shower and bathroom facilities, new signage and landscaping work, while staff will undertake a new 'Stay Real' training programme. IHG chief executive Andy Cosslett said: "Reaching 2,000 relaunched Holiday Inn hotels is a huge milestone. We're two thirds of the way through the biggest relaunch in our industry's history, and on track to complete the programme by the end of the year.

"Not only is the relaunch delivering improved guest satisfaction and RevPAR (revenue per available room) outperformance, it's also resetting the perception of Holiday Inn and will help the brand stay relevant for the next 50 years."