IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts nine brands in 13 countries across Europe - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, has debuted nine of its individual hotel brands in 13 countries across Europe since the start of 2024*, with the opening and signings spanning brands across its four segments: Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites.

This growth comes as IHG’s Europe business, which includes the UK and Ireland, surpasses 1,100 open and pipeline hotels - growth driven by the confidence from owners in IHG’s enterprise and appetite from guests in the experiences its brands offer. 

Karin Sheppard, SVP and Managing Director, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Our focus on developing in high-growth markets is reflected in the number of country entries made by our brands in recent months. Every new hotel contributes to a dynamic portfolio that has grown to more than 1,100 hotels open or in development across 39 countries – testament to the exciting future that lies ahead for our business in Europe. 

“Successful brand development and growth would not happen without the work our teams do to drive the performance of our existing hotels – all of which is supported by the IHG enterprise. From driving loyalty contribution and rolling out new technology, to investment in marketing, meaningful partnerships, and programmes to support sustainability and procurement, our holistic approach to growth is demonstrating value to our hotel owners who see long-term confidence in IHG and our brands.”

Luxury & lifestyle (Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo)

IHG’s six brands in the Luxury & Lifestyle segment continue to expand across Europe, representing 12% of current Europe open hotels (103 properties), and 27% of its development pipeline (71 hotels), demonstrating promising runway for future growth. 

IHG’s collection brand, Vignette Collection appeals to owners looking to convert world-class independent hotels without the need for high upfront costs or compromise on a property’s unique character. The brand made its debut in the UK, The Halyard, Liverpool, and in Hungary, Verno House, Budapest, both opening in 2024. In addition, the brand will enter Greece for the first time with a signing in Crete, The Chania Hotel.

The global expansion of Kimpton continues at pace, having opened in Hungary for the first time with the 127-room Kimpton BEM Palace Budapest hotel, and signing a resort property in Greece – Kimpton La-Mer Resort & Spa Crete.

IHG’s world-renowned InterContinental brand reached more than 225 hotels in 2024, adding its first in Serbia, the 203-room InterContinental Belgrade hotel.

Premium (voco, Crowne Plaza, Ruby)  

Last year saw record conversion activity for IHG globally and in 2024, conversions to IHG brands represented more than 80% of new openings in Europe. This increased activity is led by brands such as voco, whose expansion in the premium space has happened at rapid pace. 

IHG acquired the Ruby Hotels brand in February 2025. Less than six weeks later, it has announced its first two signings including in Copenhagen, a country debut for the brand.

In Europe, IHG opened its first voco-branded hotel in Sweden, voco Stockholm – Kista, with 201 guest rooms. In recent weeks, IHG signed its first voco property in Türkiye, due to open in Antalya during the second half of 2025.

Also sitting in the premium space, the Crowne Plaza brand boasts a European pipeline representing almost 20% of its open hotel count. Montenegro opened its first for the brand in 2024, the 112-room Crowne Plaza Podgorica hotel.

Essentials (Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner Hotels)

Almost 70% of IHG’s Europe footprint is made up of Essentials brands, from the world’s largest hotel brand Holiday Inn Express, to new midscale conversion brand, Garner Hotels. 2024 marked the European debut for Garner, with 56 initial signings taking place in April, and the first opening in November. Guests are showing positive reaction to Garner Hotels, with high satisfaction scores.

Debuts for Garner in Europe have included Germany – with nearly 20 openings in less than a year, the first being in Hamburg, the UK – opening in Preston and Edinburgh, Austria – opening in Klagenfurt, and The Netherlands – open in Maastricht. The brand has also been signed in Turkiye, in the city of Arnavutkoy, and in Italy, in Rome.

Last year saw the debut of the brand collaboration between Holiday and the niu, which now has more than 40 open hotels across Europe. In partnership with NOVUM Hospitality, Holiday Inn – the niu combines the niu’s domestic presence and unique design inspired by locality, with Holiday Inn’s global reputation and brand recognition.

Suites (Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites)

The increasing demand for extended stays is reflected in IHG’s Europe pipeline for its Suites portfolio of brands, which stands at 15 hotels – larger than the current system size of 11 properties, underlying healthy future growth prospects. 

In 2025, Candlewood Suites will celebrate is European debut, following a long-term franchise agreement with NOVUM Hospitality and subsequent signings in 2024 that will bring 14 hotels for the brand to Germany.

Marking Europe’s eleventh Staybridge Suites property, the brand opened in Spain, in Malaga, bringing 105 suites to the Urban Sky project development.

As of 31st December 2024, IHG has 878 open hotels across 39 countries in Europe, with a further 260 in development. Its largest markets include the UK with 355 open hotels, Germany with 147 hotels, France with 71 hotels, and Spain with 57 hotels.

*1 January 2024 – 31 March 2025

Image Credit: © IHG Hotels & Resorts