The Marysville location of Holiday Inn Express and Suites will be among the first in Washington to sport new corporate signage and a re-energized look.

"How exciting and what an honor it is to be one of the first Holiday Inn Expresses in Washington with the new sign," said general manager Andy Tift.

The new sign is the seal of approval that the local hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand family relaunch program, designed to create a more contemporary image, increase quality and drive consistency. The local hotel is the first north of Seattle and among the first worldwide to receive the new signage.

"We've set an aggressive pace to relaunch our complete inventory of nearly 3,200 hotels by the end of 2010," said Holiday Inn's senior vice-president John Merkin. "With the Marysville property, we are off and running on our journey to make every Holiday Inn Hotel as great as our best one."

In addition to the redesigned signage, customers at the Marysville hotel, which is located at 8606-36th Ave. NE off I-5 at exit 200, will notice new lighting, landscaping and design features that create an energized sense of welcome.

A newly-created position at each hotel, the Guest Experience Champion, will ensure that the hotel staff develops and practices the behaviors and skills that best serve their guests.

"We look forward to offering our guests an enhanced stay experience with exceptional levels of customer service," said Tift. "And we are especially pleased to be among the first wave of properties to showcase these new Holiday Inn brand family hallmarks."

Holiday Inn Express hotels offer a complimentary breakfast bar, free high-speed internet access, and the ability to earn Priority Club rewards points that can be redeemed for merchandise, airline miles or free stays in more than 3,600 hotels.

To make a reservation, visit www.hiexpress.com/marysvillewa or phone (360) 530-1234.