Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), owner of Holiday Inn, has announced plans to open 18 new hotels in Europe, including eight in the UK.
The new hotels will be operated under the Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands.
Of the 18 new signings, eight are to be located in the UK, with a Hotel Indigo in Newcastle, a Staybridge Suites in Edinburgh, Holiday Inns in London, Newcastle and Darlington, and a Holiday Inn Express in Manchester, Nuneaton and Birmingham.
The firm is also opening 10 hotels in continental Europe, including three in Istanbul and three in Germany, as well as sites in Madrid, Lisbon, the Provence and Ekateringburg in Russia.
The announcement comes as part of the group’s pipeline plans to open another 1,300 hotels worldwide, adding to its portfolio of 4,500 sites.
Kirk Kinsell, IHG’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “It’s encouraging to see that we’ve been able to maintain momentum with our growth strategy across Europe and around the world. As a business, we have continued to invest in the things that we believe make the biggest difference by strengthening our brands, increasing our scale and working more closely than ever with our hotel owners.”
UK Pipeline
Hotel Indigo Newcastle,148 rooms. Currently a disused office building, the Hotel Indigo Newcastle will be a part conversion, part new build hotel located in the heart of the city centre. It will be managed by Sanguine Hospitality, and is due to open in summer 2012.
Staybridge Suites Edinburgh, 121 rooms. Located in the city centre, it will be managed by BDL Management is set to open in autumn 2011.
Holiday Inn London Commercial Road, 137 rooms. This new build property will be located within easy access to the City of London and Canary Wharf. Owned by Sleeptex, it is scheduled to open in early 2012.
Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond, 116 rooms. Owned by the Cairn Group, it is set to open in October 2010 after a £3.5 million conversion. This hotel is located in an residential area close to the city centre.
Holiday Inn Darlington, 90 rooms. Located on the A1 at Scotch Corner, it is owned by the Cairn Group and is set to open in spring 2011.
Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre, 192 rooms. This new build hotel located near New George Street in the heart of Manchester. Owned by Centre Island, it is scheduled to open mid 2011.
Holiday Inn Express Nuneaton, 100 rooms. Owned by Tawnywood Hotels, this hotel has been rebranded to a Holiday Inn hotel and is due to open this autumn.
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, 83 rooms. Located on the A45, this office conversion is owned by Ace Hospitality. It will be managed by Then Hospitality, and is due to open mid 2011.