With recent deals in Spain and the UK, these additions take voco hotels total number of opened and signed European properties to 37, up from 28 at the end of 2022, marking more than a 25% increase in 10 months.
English duo
Two of the line’s upcoming additions are in England, with the first, voco Letchworth Hall, due to open in Q3 2024. Said to have been built by Sir William Lytton around the year 1620 and set across eight acres of grounds overlooking Letchworth Golf Club in the Hertfordshire countryside, the 87-key property will be designed for staycations, spa breaks or special occasions.
The other is voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, IHG’s first lifecycle net zero carbon hotel. Scheduled to open in early 2025, the property has been designed to align with the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition of the UK Green Building Council – the membership-led industry network. The 142-key hotel will be situated close to the southwest English city of Exeter and offer leisure and business guests facilities including a restaurant, bar, gym, gardens, meeting space and numerous car charging points.
Northern Ireland debut
Still in the UK, voco Belfast will mark the brand’s debut in Northern Ireland. The 120-room hotel is scheduled to open its doors in early 2024 in partnership with Cliste Hospitality.
voco Belfast is set to be located for a break in the city, with quick access to Belfast’s historic landmarks, museums, shopping, and entertainment venues.
Spanish site
Down in the Iberian peninsula, voco Granada, will open in the southern Spanish city of Granada in late 2025.
Adjacent to the Convention Centre of Granada, the communication highway and the city’s largest shopping mall, the 166-key hotel will be a basecamp for guests to explore the nearby Alhambra, the Generalife Gardens, and the Albayzin, whilst enjoying full food and beverage on site.
Successful formula
Willemijn Geels, VP development, Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Each voco hotels property that gets added to our portfolio is a real sign of the confidence from our owners across multiple markets in the brand.
“voco hotels proves popular due to its design and operational framework conducive to conversion, empowering owners to carry through their own unique visions for their property. Guests enjoy the individual character and local charm of each hotel, and the speed at which the brand is growing in these popular markets is great proof of its successful formula.”
Target in sight
First launched in 2018, voco hotels is one of IHG’s fastest-growing brands with more than 100 properties signed and opened globally, comprising 55 operating sites and 51 in the pipeline, as at end Q3 2023.
The incoming flurry of properties will bring the brand closer to its global ambition of reaching 200 properties in leading urban and leisure locations by 2028.
