IHG’s deal with Grape Hospitality bears fruit of European conversion quintet
Pictured: rendering of Hotel Indigo Florence.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a multi-property development agreement with Grape Hospitality for five conversion properties in prime European destinations.
The deal heralds an 810-room partnership across Spain, France and Italy.
voco Spanish first
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.
The Hotel Indigo brand now has 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.
Madrid moves
Two of the new hotel signings are in Madrid, with the first being the 193-room voco Madrid Centre Retiro, the first voco hotel to open in Spain. The property will feature voco’s ‘unstuffy’ hallmark amenities from an arrival gift and simple check-in to lively social spaces, and guestrooms with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding and luxury bathroom amenities. The hotel is due to open in April 2024.
Also located in Madrid, the 168-room Crowne Plaza Madrid Centre Retiro will be suited to leisure and business travellers. This will be the second Crowne Plaza property to open in the Spanish capital, the first being located close to the airport. The hotel is due to open in April 2024.
Indigo trio
The three new Hotel Indigo sites start with Hotel Indigo Florence, two minutes’ walk from Santa Maria Novella, the Italian city’s main railway station. With 160 bedrooms, conference facilities and a wellness centre, the hotel is set to open later this year.
Next, the 100-room Hotel Indigo Bordeaux will be the third of the brand to open in France. The property is based in the leafy Bordeaux Chartrons neighbourhood and is due to open in May 2023.
Completing the trio is the 189-room Hotel Indigo Barcelona Gran Via Plaza España, the second Hotel Indigo to open in Barcelona. The hotel will open in April 2024.
Key markets
Commenting on the partnership, Willemijn Geels, VP development Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “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. This partnership further highlights the strength of IHG’s much-loved brands and reputation and our desire to expand into new locations.”
Frederic Josenhans, chairman of Grape Hospitality commented: “Grape Hospitality continues its development in Europe with the acquisition of premium assets. 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.”
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