Growth in the Balkans
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Podgorica, set to be its seventh hotel in Montenegro, and the second in the capital city.
The new Crowne Plaza will also be the second from the brand in Podgorica, the country’s capital city. The converted property, owned by BIG CEE, is set to open by the end of 2024.
The 122-key hotel is situated within the Capital Plaza mixed-use development and surrounded by the regional headquarters of several banks and multinational companies including Deloitte, PWC and The World Bank.
Other features include residential properties and luxurious commercial, retail and restaurant spaces. The Capital Plaza has significantly influenced Podgorica’s business district over the last decade.
Alongside several meeting and events spaces, the hotel will feature one main restaurant on the first floor, and a bar and signature lounge on the ground and fifth floor respectively. Crowne Plaza Podgorica joins the 93-room Crowne Plaza Kolasin – due to open in the second half of 2025 – as part of IHG’s growing estate in Montenegro.
As one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands, Crowne Plaza offers purposeful design underpinned by flexible spaces to work, meet and relax, while meeting the needs of guests seeking productivity, relaxation and an opportunity to connect. Crowne Plaza Podgorica adds to the brand’s growing portfolio which is expected to reach 100 open hotels in Europe by 2025.
Conversion opportunities
Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the popularity of conversion opportunities across Europe, which she said “reflects the attractiveness of IHG’s brands”.
“Including our growing IHG One Rewards programme – amongst our owners, who are looking to capture the growing demand of travellers in top locations,” she added.
“We look forward to working alongside our trusted partners at BIG CEE to bring this project to fruition and welcome guests at Crowne Plaza Podgorica before the end of the year.”
Crowne Plaza Podgorica joins three other properties in its development pipeline due to open in the next 3- 5 years in the country – InterContinental Resort Cjan, Crowne Plaza Kolasin and Holiday Inn Mojkovac. The hotel also joins a pipeline of 19 Crowne Plaza properties in development across Europe, and 146 around the world.
