InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has reported one of its most successful periods for hotel signings in Europe, adding 18 hotels to its European pipeline over the summer period.

The 2,375 new rooms are spread across the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Russia and Turkey. These new additions mean IHG continues to hold the hospitality industry's largest development pipeline, with 1,300 hotels planned worldwide.

Kirk Kinsell, IHG's president for Europe, Middle East and Africa said, "These new signings demonstrate the confidence developers have in our brands and the strength of our marketing programmes. More than two-thirds of our guests come through our distribution channels such as the 52 million member strong Priority Club Rewards loyalty programme. This is why IHG-branded hotels are such a compelling proposition for owners and developers."

He continued: "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. This puts us in a great position to continue to take advantage of the market upturn and grow market share."

Hotel Indigo signings

Hotel Indigo Newcastle, managed by Sanguine Hospitality Ltd, is due to open in summer 2012. Currently a disused office building, the Hotel Indigo Newcastle will be a 148 room part conversion, part new build hotel located in the heart of the city centre.

Hotel Indigo Madrid Gran Via is set to open in spring 2012. The 89-bedroom hotel, owned by Orion, will be situated in the centre of Madrid, close to the Opera House, the Almudena Cathedral and the main museums in the area. It also has easy access to the main conference centres and train stations, making it ideal for both business and leisure guests.

Hotel Indigo Lisbon Baixa, owned by Sowhat Turismo is set to open early 2014. The 139 room hotel will be a conversion of an old convent located in the old city of Lisbon. Historic buildings in the old city centre are highly protected, making this project quite unique and a great fit with the Hotel Indigo brand.

The global roll out of IHG's boutique brand, Hotel Indigo continues with pace. There are currently 36 Hotel Indigo hotels open and 57 in the pipeline. Hotel Indigo is IHG's newest hotel brand and offers guests boutique hotel design with the peace of mind they get from staying with a large hotel group.

Staybridge Suites signing

Staybridge Suites Edinburgh, managed by BDL Management is set to open in autumn 2011. This new build hotel will have 121 extended stay suites and will be located within minutes of the city centre.

Crowne Plaza signings

The Crowne Plaza Istanbul Harbiye Turkey, owned by Gurcan Petrolculuk A.Ş. is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2011. The 285 room new build property will be located in the middle of Istanbul, close to Taksim, ICEC (the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre) and the Metro connection.

Holiday Inn signings

Holiday Inn London Commercial Road, owned by Sleeptex, is scheduled to open in early 2012. The 137 room new build property is within easy access to the City of London and Canary Wharf.

Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond, owned by the Cairn Group, is set to open in October 2010 after a £3.5 million conversion. This 116 room hotel, which has been rebranded to a Holiday Inn hotel is located in an upmarket residential area close to the city centre.

Holiday Inn Darlington A1 Scotch Corner, also owned by the Cairn Group, is a 90 room hotel and is set to open in spring 2011.

The 142 room Holiday Inn Ekaterinburg in Russia has been converted from a former office building. It is due to open at the beginning of 2012. The hotel, owned by an associate company of the Ural Bank of Ekaterinburg, will be managed by IHG.

Holiday Inn Express signings

Holiday Inn Express Istanbul Ümraniye owned by Ege Titanyum Kimyevi Maddler Insaat Tekstil Sanayi Ve Ticaret will open in Turkey in summer 2012. This 110 room new development will be the second Holiday Inn Express signed this year in Istanbul.

Holiday Inn Express Istanbul Altunizade is an 80 room conversion property, owned by Seir Inşaat Turizm Danişmanlik ve Diş Ticaret Limited Şirketi. The hotel will open in spring 2011. Both the Holiday Inn Express Istanbul Altunizade and the Holiday Inn Express Istanbul Ümraniye are managed by Thiele Turizm Danismanlik Ltd, an affiliate of T&T Hotel Consulting.

Three more hotels have been signed with Foremost Hospitality HIEX GmbH in Germany. The Holiday Inn Express Leipzig City Centre, a 120 room new build is scheduled to open in winter 2011. Holiday Inn Hamburg Central Station, a 160 room new build hotel and Holiday Inn Express Hamburg City Hauptbahnhof, a 110 room new build hotel are both due to open in autumn 2012.

Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre MEN Arena is a new build 192 room hotel located near New George Street in the heart of Manchester. The hotel, owned by Centre Island, is scheduled to open mid 2011.

Holiday Inn Express Nuneaton is owned by Tawnywood Hotels. This 100 room hotel, which has been rebranded to a Holiday Inn hotel, is due to open this autumn.

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham South A45 is an 83 room office conversion owned by Ace Hospitality Limited. The hotel, which will be managed by Then Hospitality, is due to open mid 2011.

Holiday Inn Express Marseille Provence Airport, owned by Wilburys Hotels Investment, is a 153 room new build hotel, scheduled to open in France in summer 2012.

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

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Gemma Bull
+44 20 7413 3040
IHG

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