S.A.S. said it would pull out of a venture to own Inter-Continental hotels with Seibu Saison.

Almost all Inter-Continental hotels are in the upper end of the market.

The Inter-Continental hotels also have a reputation among journalists and business travelers as convenient bases amid sticky situations.

Inter-Continental hotels are located in 47 countries and include the Forum Hotels Inc. chain of 13 moderately priced hotels.

Business Traveller recently published a letter from someone who stayed in the Inter-Continental hotel in Kinshasa.

Comparable lists are planned for other Inter-Continental hotels in Miami and Atlanta.

With the Cartagena Hilton doing a booming business, an Inter-Continental hotel is scheduled to open next year.

Reservations may be made through travel agents or Inter-Continental hotels.

A little farther north is the Castellana (49 Paseo de la Castellana; 410 02 00; $140 for two), an Inter-Continental hotel.

Four Inter-Continental hotels are participating in a Winter Spectacular program that runs until March 31.