IHGs boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo expands in Europe - Signings announced for hotels in Barcelona and Birmingham

The roll out of InterContinental Hotel Group's (IHG) boutique brand Hotel Indigo is gathering pace in Europe, with the company announcing the signing of the first Hotel Indigo for Barcelona and the second in Birmingham, UK. IHG's Chief Development Officer in Europe, Robert Shepherd, said 2012 has been a strong year for Hotel Indigo signings in the region.

"Since introducing the brand to Europe in 2009, we've opened nine hotels – seven in the United Kingdom and two in Germany. As well as signing the Hotel Indigo Barcelona-Plaza Catalunya and Hotel Indigo Birmingham Waterloo Street, this year we've also signed our first Hotel Indigo in Wales, the Hotel Indigo Cardiff; our third in Scotland, Hotel Indigo Edinburgh-Princes Street; our fourth in Germany, Hotel Indigo Dusseldorf Victoriaplatz; and our first Hotel Indigo property in Israel, a 92-room hotel, which will open in Tel Aviv next year."

Robert Shepherd said the brand was proving popular with developers in Europe as the flexible approach to design for Hotel Indigo makes it ideal for conversion properties, which are easier to finance than new build properties, and can become operational sooner. Guests are attracted to the brand because it combines the individuality of a boutique hotel, with the reassurance and reliability of a big hotel company behind it.

Each Hotel Indigo property is uniquely designed to reflect the community, character and history of the surrounding area.

The 77 room Hotel Indigo Barcelona-Plaza Catalunya will be located in the centre of Barcelona, moments away from Paseo de Gracia, one of the city's major shopping and business areas. The hotel will operate under a 22 year franchise agreement with Empresa Casa de Lenguas, S.L.

Hotel Indigo Birmingham-Waterloo Street will be located within the Colmore Business District, the commercial heart of Birmingham, encompassing the Colmore Row conservation area, home to some of the city's most important landmark buildings. The 60 room hotel will be managed by Rustic Pine Developments Limited.

Every Hotel Indigo features a high quality bar and restaurant that is open to both guests and locals. All Hotel Indigo properties in Europe offer free wi-fi throughout the hotel as standard, as well as 24-hour room service and access to a 24-hour fitness centre.

There are nine Hotel Indigo hotels in Europe, with 11 in the pipeline*. Globally, there are 46 Hotel Indigo hotels and 52 in the development pipeline*, which will open in the next three to five years.

*Figures as at IHG Q2 results, 30 June 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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Development Development Europe United Kingdom

IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,900 in the development pipeline.

The Hotel Indigo® brand is a global boutique hotel brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community. From the locally inspired murals to the renewal program where the music, scent, and menu items change throughout the year, each Hotel Indigo hotel delivers a vibrant, engaging and genuine boutique experience that gives guests the confidence to step out and explore the local...