IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a five-strong hotel signing agreement across southern Europe with Grape Hospitality…
The agreement between the two operators brings with it an 810 room partnership at five properties across Spain, France and Italy. The five properties include voco Madrid Centre Retiro – a market debut for the voco brand in Spain; three Hotel Indigo properties in Florence, Italy; Bordeaux, France; and Barcelona, Spain, respectively, and Crowne Plaza Madrid Centre Retiro.
All three brands are going from strength to strength – the Hotel Indigo brand now boasts 40 open hotels in Europe with a further 19 in the pipeline; voco has expanded to 15 open hotels in Europe, having recently opened voco Dusseldorf Seestern and voco Venice Mestre – The Quid, and Crowne Plaza currently has 88 open hotels across Europe, including the recently opened Crowne Plaza Budapest.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Grape Hospitality on such a strong collection of hotels across some of our key European markets of Spain, France and Italy,” commented Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts. “This partnership further highlights the strength of IHG’s much-loved brands and reputation, our desire to expand into new locations and our ongoing initiatives to improve the customer journey such as the recently enhanced IHG One Rewards programme.”
“Grape Hospitality continues its development in Europe with the acquisition of premium assets,” added Frederic Josenhans, Chairman of Grape Hospitality. “We are delighted to work with IHG in addition to our brands, to create value and diversify our portfolio. With Indigo, voco hotels and Crowne Plaza, all strong brands in their segment, we will be able to develop our catering and MICE expertise and make each hotel a unique living space.”
Under the partnership, the new 193-room voco Madrid Centre Retiro will be the first voco hotel to open in Spain. The Latin name, voco, means ‘to invite’ and ‘call together’, and the property will feature all the brands unstuffy hallmark amenities from an arrival gift and simple check-in to lively social spaces, and guest rooms with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding and luxury bathroom amenities. The hotel is due to open in April 2024.
Following on the Madrid opening will be Hotel Indigo Florence – with 160 guestrooms, conference facilities and a wellness centre, the hotel is set to open later this year.  The 100 guestroom Hotel Indigo Bordeaux will be the third Hotel Indigo-branded hotel to open in France. The property is based in Bordeaux Chartrons, a sophisticated and leafy neighbourhood with buzzing bistros in Place du Marché Chartrons, plus waterside dining and eclectic shops. The hotel is due to open in May 2023.
Moving the pipeline back to Spain, the 189 guestroom Hotel Indigo Barcelona Gran Via Plaza España will be the second Hotel Indigo to open in Barcelona. Guests will be close to the Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC) and a short bus ride into the centre with its plethora of art galleries, parks and beaches. The hotel is slated to open in April 2024.
Main image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
