Under what conditions can a Crowne Plaza licensee promote, maintain, implement, or be responsible for a website in connection with the licensed hotel?

According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, a licensee cannot promote, maintain, implement, or be responsible for any website in connection with the licensed Crowne Plaza hotel without prior written approval from IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group). If IHG approves a website, it must comply with all of IHG's website requirements as outlined in the Standards or elsewhere.

This restriction ensures that all online representations of the Crowne Plaza brand meet IHG's standards and protect its brand image. It prevents franchisees from creating websites that could potentially misrepresent the brand, provide inaccurate information, or otherwise damage the brand's reputation. IHG maintains control over digital marketing, including websites, to ensure consistency and quality across all online platforms.

Furthermore, the franchisee shall not register IHG's name, the Marks or any other trademarks, service marks or other intellectual property owned or licensed by IHG or any of its Affiliates as part of any internet domain name or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and may not display or use any of the Marks or other intellectual property rights related to the Brand System in connection with any web site. This protects IHG's online presence and prevents franchisees from creating domain names that could be confused with official IHG websites.

Prospective franchisees should be aware of these restrictions and factor them into their marketing plans. Any desire to have a website for the hotel will require IHG's approval and adherence to their standards, which may involve additional costs or limitations. It is important to discuss these requirements with IHG during the due diligence process to fully understand the scope of digital marketing control.