The Staybridge Suites Oak Ridge has received a top award from InterContinental Hotels Group, a global company that operates seven hotel brands, including Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, and Holiday Inn Express, a press release said.

The IHG 2012 Torchbearer Award was presented during an investors and leadership conference in Orlando in October. It’s the company’s most prestigious award, the release said.

The release said Staybridge Suites Oak Ridge was chosen from the IHG system of more than 4,500 hotels and is one of only 102 properties within the United States recognized for achieving the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of operation—from quality to customer satisfaction. A Torchbearer trophy will be on permanent display at the hotel.

“It is my pleasure to name the Staybridge Suites Oak Ridge as one of the top-notch hotels in our industry,” said Kirk Kinsell, president of the Americas for IHG. “This hotel embodies the heart of our brand promise and continues to make IHG properties known and admired throughout the world, continuing our mission to deliver great hotels guests love.”

The press release said almost 5,000 franchise owners, operators, and company officials attended the 2012 IHG Americas Investors and Leadership Conference in Orlando.

IHG is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, the release said. It franchises, leases, manages, or owns more than 4,400 hotels and more than 650,000 rooms in 100 countries and territories. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the group’s holding company, and it is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.