Left to right: Luis Baro, Carlos Medina, Nicole Inman, Jessica Sohi, Amar Sohi, Carty Holland and Juan Vargas.

–The Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero has received the InterContinental Hotels Group, or IHG, 2015 Torchbearer Award, the company’s most prestigious award, for a second time.

The Torchbearer Award was presented to Managing Partner Amar Sohi, during the 2015 IHG Americas Owners Conference in San Francisco, Calif., Sep. 30 – Oct. 2, 2015, held at Moscone West Convention Center.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero is one of only 24 properties chosen from the IHG system of more than 2,300 hotels to receive the award within its brand in the Americas (Canada, USA, Latin America). Torchbearer awarded properties account for the top 1-percent of hotels that achieve, “the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of operation.” A trophy will be on permanent display at the hotel. Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero was the first hotel in San Luis Obispo County to earn this recognition in 2011. With this second award, Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero continues to be the only hotel in San Luis Obispo County to ever earn this recognition.

Amar and Jessica Sohi accepting the award.

“It is my pleasure to name the Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero as a 2015 Torchbearer winner,” said Elie W. Maalouf, chief executive officer – the Americas, IHG. “This hotel embodies the heart of our brand promise and continues to make IHG properties known and admired throughout the world, fulfilling our mission to deliver on great brands and outstanding guest experiences.”

“We are honored to receive the coveted Torchbearer Award” said Sohi. “Our goal from the beginning was to be one of the best hotels in the country, and I am proud to see we achieved it not once, but a second time. Our team’s dedication to providing the best service experience for our guests truly shows throughout each department of the hotel. Each department head has been on our team for several years and we have continued to grow together. It is truly a team effort. We are all extremely proud.”

Owned by H & S Hospitality of San Luis Obispo, the company is also excited about its most recent project: 2,000 sq ft of meeting and event space, and a 3,000 sq ft bar and restaurant which is currently being developed next door to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Atascadero. The restaurant, slated to feature a full bar and wood-fired oven for flat bread pizzas; and event space are expected to be open in May 2016.