IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], one of the world?s leading global hotel companies, announces a major milestone for Candlewood Suites? hotels as the brand celebrates the opening of two new properties ? Candlewood Suites Birmingham/Homewood (Alabama) and Candlewood Suites Manhattan (Kansas) ? and a portfolio now exceeding 300 hotels. The brand was purchased by IHG in 2003 and has since grown rapidly, nearly tripling in size.