IHG Hotels & Resorts opens first voco hotels property in Mexico

voco continues to extend its presence in the Americas region with the opening of voco Guadalajara Neruda in the heart of Mexico’s second-largest city.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 destinations and 18 brands, celebrates the launch of the voco brand in Latin America at the voco Guadalajara Neruda – the first hotel for the emerging brand in Mexico.

Launched in 2018, voco hotels maintains the local character and history of an independent hotel while also delivering the quality and reassurance of a respected global brand. The premium brand’s name, voco, comes from Latin, meaning ‘to call together,’ and embodies the brand’s thoughtful, unstuffy, and charming feel.

Owned by Grupo Hotelero Luna Azul and operated under Monby Hotels, the new 104-room voco Guadalajara Neruda is centrally located on Pablo Neruda Avenue, within Guadalajara’s financial district and just a short drive to the Golf Country Club, the Colomos woods, Downton Zapopan, Andador Neruda, fashion malls and shops like Midtown Jalisco or Plaza Andares. The hotel’s modern and trendy design brings a cosmopolitan vibe by incorporating elements of Mexican décor that capture the true essence of Jalisco through its colour palettes, textiles, and use of adobe, clay, and ceramics.

ANA Holdings and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan sign comprehensive commercial agreement as part of longstanding strategic alliance

ANA HOLDINGS and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a comprehensive agreement. The two companies began a strategic alliance in hotel business operations in 2006, developing Japan's first dual-branded hotel by combining the know-how cultivated by the ANA Group and the global brand of IHG Hotels & Resorts. As part of the alliance, a wide range of services are available for ANA Mileage Club members staying at IHG hotels, including special offers on accommodation and restaurants and welcome drink services based on member status.

As demand for flights and hotels are showing signs of recovery, ANA Group and IHG will strengthen collaboration in various fields with a focus on sales and marketing through a new comprehensive agreement that utilizes the ANA Group's airline network and IHG's hotel network. The new programs launching will help raise awareness of the ANA Group’s airline network and the properties of IHG Hotels & Resorts in and out of Japan among not only the members of the loyalty programs, but also non-members, all while enhancing the value of the customer experience.

Both companies will implement joint campaigns throughout the year, including IHG Hotels & Resorts advertisements on ANA flights and at major domestic airports, and offer benefits and promotions for ANA Mileage Club members on the IHG website and mobile app. In addition, to commemorate the agreement, the companies will launch the "IHG ANA Hotels X ANA WOW! Experience Campaign" where customers and guests can win ANA miles or hotel accommodation vouchers.

IHG and AWC extend long-term strategic partnership with second Kimpton signing

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, is proud to announce Kimpton Pattaya, as an exciting extension of its long-standing partnership with Asset World Corp Public Company Limited or AWC in Thailand.

New-build Kimpton Pattaya grows successful collaboration to 1,250 rooms across six properties and three brands

 

The agreement is another major milestone in the relationship between IHG and AWC – renowned as being the Kingdom’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, with a stellar track record in market-leading tourist destinations. This will be their second collaboration for a Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in the country.

The strategic partnership between IHG and AWC already includes five outstanding properties: the highly-anticipated 302-room InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping which will open this year: two hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown – the 332-room InterContinental Bangkok Chinatown and 63-room Vignette Collection Bangkok Chinatown; the 234-room Vignette Collection Pattaya; and 124-room Kimpton Hua Hin.

Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG said: “Our partnership with AWC goes from strength to strength and, thanks to this latest collaboration for Kimpton Pattaya, together we have now signed 1,250 rooms across six fantastic properties in the past three years, in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

“This will be the fifth Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property signed in Thailand which shows the confidence owners have in the brand. Together with Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Kimpton Kitalay Samui and the upcoming Kimpton Khao Yai and Kimpton Hua Hin, the brand already has a strong following amongst affluent and discerning travellers.

“I’m delighted that Kimpton Pattaya is joining Vignette Collection Pattaya – also situated in Aquatique Pattaya – and two open hotels – InterContinental Pattaya and Holiday Inn Pattaya – in the district, establishing IHG as a market leader in Pattaya.”

A world of difference.....

No surprise here - IHG Hotels & Resorts is incredibly passionate about this planet and giving our guests as many opportunities to explore all its wonders. We’re also passionate about doing all we can to make sure those opportunities will be around for a long time. In 2021, IHG unveiled Journey to Tomorrow - a 10-year responsible business plan to care for our planet, people, and communities.

The planet-focused elements span reducing energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science, maximizing the role of renewable energy, and supporting efforts to conserve water. It also outlined goals to help secure water access to those at greatest risk, drive initiatives to reduce waste, and collectively work towards shaping the future of responsible travel.

This Earth Day, here’s a snapshot of just some of the incredibly cool ways – big and small – that our hotels are bringing sustainable travel experiences to life.

Renowned chef Richard Sandoval has restaurants worldwide, from California to Qatar. Right now, he’s committed to saving the bees through a unique, plant-based menu, Viva Abejas (Save the bees!). It’s being served at more than two dozen restaurants around the globe through April 24, 2022.

Two of those restaurants are at IHG properties –InterContinental Miami and Six Senses Kocatas Mansions in Turkey. “As a restaurant group focused on Latin cuisine, bees are important as major pollinators of the agave plant and avocado – both of which are used frequently in our foods,” says Sandoval. In a playful call to action, the menu also includes cocktails that come with wildflower tags that guests can take home and plant in their yards and gardens for bees to pollinate. In addition, many IHG properties house onsite apiaries and/or rooftop gardens, including voco Oxford Thames, Hotel Indigo Tulsa, and Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown to name a few. 

There is no replicating an island vacation, especially when all you want to do is soak up some sunshine. However, at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives it’s not just the guests making the most of those rays – the hotel installed solar panels on a significant portion of its resort (enough to cover seven tennis courts!) in 2020. The coolest part about this hot addition – you can see the solar power in action via its live feed.

“Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has always been committed to preserving our natural resources and pursuing methods of using renewable sources of energy,” says Executive Assistant Manager Hussain Shahid.

A World of Difference

No surprise here - IHG Hotels & Resorts is incredibly passionate about this planet and giving our guests as many opportunities to explore all its wonders. We’re also passionate about doing all we can to make sure those opportunities will be around for a long time. In 2021, IHG unveiled Journey to Tomorrow - a 10-year responsible business plan to care for our planet, people, and communities.

The planet-focused elements span reducing energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science, maximizing the role of renewable energy, and supporting efforts to conserve water. It also outlined goals to help secure water access to those at greatest risk, drive initiatives to reduce waste, and collectively work towards shaping the future of responsible travel.

This Earth Day, here’s a snapshot of just some of the incredibly cool ways – big and small – that our hotels are bringing sustainable travel experiences to life.

Renowned chef Richard Sandoval has restaurants worldwide, from California to Qatar. Right now, he’s committed to saving the bees through a unique, plant-based menu, Viva Abejas (Save the bees!). It’s being served at more than two dozen restaurants around the globe through April 24, 2022.

Two of those restaurants are at IHG properties –InterContinental Miami and Six Senses Kocatas Mansions in Turkey. “As a restaurant group focused on Latin cuisine, bees are important as major pollinators of the agave plant and avocado – both of which are used frequently in our foods,” says Sandoval. In a playful call to action, the menu also includes cocktails that come with wildflower tags that guests can take home and plant in their yards and gardens for bees to pollinate. In addition, many IHG properties house onsite apiaries and/or rooftop gardens, including voco Oxford Thames, Hotel Indigo Tulsa, and Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown to name a few. 

There is no replicating an island vacation, especially when all you want to do is soak up some sunshine. However, at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives it’s not just the guests making the most of those rays – the hotel installed solar panels on a significant portion of its resort (enough to cover seven tennis courts!) in 2020. The coolest part about this hot addition – you can see the solar power in action via its live feed.

“Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has always been committed to preserving our natural resources and pursuing methods of using renewable sources of energy,” says Executive Assistant Manager Hussain Shahid.

New Chase and IHG Hotels & Resorts Mastercard launched.

Chase, the largest co-brand card issuer in the U.S., and IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of the new IHG® Rewards Premier Business Mastercard.

The card with Mastercard as the exclusive payments network is designed to help small business owners turn everyday expenses into meaningful travel rewards. In tandem with this news, Chase and IHG also activated new and enhanced benefits across the IHG® Rewards Traveler and Premier Consumer Mastercard® products.

All three cards feature benefits allowing cardmembers to earn points faster than ever before, as well as simplified pathways to IHG Rewards’ new Elite tiers and optimized ways to use points. This includes the new industry-leading ability for Premier and Premier Business cardmembers to add unlimited points to Anniversary Free Night certificates, increasing the flexibility of where the Anniversary Free Night certificates can be used across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ growing global portfolio of 17 brands and 6,000 destinations. These updates to the card portfolio align with IHG® Hotels & Resorts’ new vision for the IHG Rewards loyalty program, beginning with new tiers launching in April 2022.

“With the addition of the new IHG® Premier Business Mastercard and updates to the Premier and Traveler cards, we’re excited about what our strong cards offer those who love traveling,” said Ed Olebe, President of Chase Co-Brand Cards. “The cards complement IHG’s reimagined loyalty program, providing an accelerated way to earn points and benefits that will help create more memorable travel experiences for our cardmembers.”

Chase and IHG® Hotels & Resorts Launch New Business Mastercard and Enhanced Benefits Across the Chase IHG® Rewards Consumer Mastercard Portfolio

This week, Chase, the largest co-brand card issuer in the U.S., and IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of the new IHG® Rewards Premier Business Mastercard®, with Mastercard as the exclusive payments network, designed to help small business owners turn everyday expenses into meaningful travel rewards. In tandem with this news, Chase and IHG also activated new and enhanced benefits across the IHG® Rewards Traveler and Premier Consumer Mastercard® products.

All three cards feature benefits allowing cardmembers to earn points faster than ever before, as well as simplified pathways to IHG Rewards’ new Elite tiers and optimized ways to use points. This includes the new industry-leading ability for Premier and Premier Business cardmembers to add unlimited points to Anniversary Free Night certificates, increasing the flexibility of where the Anniversary Free Night certificates can be used across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ growing global portfolio of 17 brands and 6,000 destinations. These updates to the card portfolio align with IHG® Hotels & Resorts’ new vision for the IHG Rewards loyalty program, beginning with new tiers launching in April 2022.

“With the addition of the new IHG® Premier Business Mastercard and updates to the Premier and Traveler cards, we’re excited about what our strong cards offer those who love traveling,” said Ed Olebe, President of Chase Co-Brand Cards. “The cards complement IHG’s reimagined loyalty program, providing an accelerated way to earn points and benefits that will help create more memorable travel experiences for our cardmembers.”

“We set out to offer our members reimagined benefits to meet their needs for today’s environment and are really proud of what we have delivered with our new consumer and business cards,” said Heather Balsley, Senior Vice President of Global Loyalty and Partnerships, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “By offering the fastest way to earn rewards, including new benefits like 5X points on purchases at gas stations, up to $50 United® TravelBank Cash each calendar year, we’re helping turn everyday expenses for consumers and small business alike into meaningful travel rewards that can be applied at our more than 6,000 destinations across the world, including leading global brands such as InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and Holiday Inn Express®.”

“Mastercard is thrilled to continue the partnership with Chase and IHG Hotels & Resorts, to support the product travelers choose for rewards that help fuel their passions, and now the product small business owners can rely on for benefits that are meaningful to them as well,” said John Levitsky, Executive Vice President, Mastercard. “People are looking for card benefits that match their lifestyle and through our Chase and IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio, we’re creating propositions that they find truly rewarding and that are accessible simply by going about their every day or operating their business.”

On the IHG® Rewards Traveler Mastercard (no fee), updates and enhanced benefits include:

A dual-branded Crowne Plaza Nice-Grand Arenas and Holiday Inn Express Nice - Grand Arenas to offer two distinct experiences for travellers.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is growing its Premium & Essentials Collections in France with the recent openings of Crowne Plaza Nice - Grand Arenas and Holiday Inn Express Nice – Grand Arenas in partnership with HPVA HOTELS. Located on the stunning French Riviera, both hotels are less than a five-minute tram ride from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and just ten minutes from Nice city centre.

Nice, on the south-east coast of France, is famed for its sunny seaside location and has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. Over the last few years, the city has been building its reputation as Côte d’Azur’s business hub and is home to a vibrant tech and start-up scene.

As one of the world’s largest Premium hotel brands, Crowne Plaza deeply understands ‘Work/Life Blend’ and that business travel isn’t just about business – it’s about balancing work and life to feel both successful and fulfilled. The 129 guest rooms at Crowne Plaza Nice - Grand Arenas have a distinct contemporary design that perfectly integrates work and personal spaces – helping the modern business traveller integrate work and personal through the purposeful design. The earthy tones throughout the rooms are brought to life with earthenware pottery in midnight blue tones and gilded brass touches offer guests a warm and relaxed feel with a touch of elegance.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announces major Mornington Peninsula development.....

IHG Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce that its luxury InterContinental brand will come to Sorrento in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula as part of the redevelopment of the Hotel Continental. It follows the signing of a management agreement with the Consortium behind the iconic Hotel Continental redevelopment on the state’s famed coastal strip.

Hotel Continental, or the ‘Conti’ as it is endearingly called by locals, will have a new, luxurious lease on life when the InterContinental Sorrento opens in November 2021, as the property poises itself to once again become a beacon of glamour and sophistication on the Mornington Peninsula.   

Following a sensitive, state-of-the-art restoration by the Trenerry Consortium, which is owned by Victor Smorgon Group, the Kanat Group and Trenerry Property, InterContinental Sorrento will occupy the accommodation component of the 145-year-old heritage-listed limestone building and will feature 106 beautifully appointed, spacious guestrooms, many of them with water views.   

Boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, opens first hotel in Cyprus

IHG Hotels & Resorts opens the first and only branded boutique hotel in Cyprus - Hotel Indigo Larnaca. Each of the hotel’s 40 bedrooms are all uniquely designed and inspired by Cyprus’s craft heritage with balconies overlooking the picturesque city of Larnaca. Just a five-minute drive from the airport, the hotel is centrally located in one of Larnaca’s most historic areas, near the church of St. Lazarus and close to Finikoudes and Mackenzie beaches.

Within walking distance to the beach, the hotel combined two traditional Cypriot beach homes into a new hotel, marrying design elements from both old and new. The bedrooms have a modern yet contemporary feel by merging raw concrete with locally - made, brightly - coloured traditional textiles and light wooden furnishings. The en-suite bathrooms have spa-like rain showers, with brushed concrete flooring and original Cypriot tiling. All the balconies are fitted with traditional Mediterranean yellow shutters, reminiscent of old Cyprus, and mimicking the sunset amongst the surrounding mountains.

EVEN Hotels makes its debut in Asia

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened the doors to the its first EVEN Hotels property in Greater China. The unveiling of the hotel in the heart of Nanjing, China marks the first EVEN Hotel in Asia and outside of the Americas. Since the first EVEN Hotels opening in 2014, IHG’s lifestyle and wellness offering is designed to meet the large and growing demand for wellness-minded travellers and help them maintain their balance on the road.

The 172-room EVEN Hotel Nanjing Yangtze River, located near the National Green Bay Wetland Park and Youth Olympic Stadium, is equipped with wellness-savvy staff, best-in-class fitness experiences, an indoor tennis court, an indoor heated swimming pool, a bowling club, 7 meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, balanced food choices and relaxing spaces. The hotel also boasts an impressive water fountain with spectacular light shows during the evening. Owned by Yangtze State-owned Investment Group, and managed by IHG, the property is the brand’s first location in Asia. The hotel is the result of a strong owner relationship of IHG in Greater China. Owned by Yangtze State-owned Investment Group, and managed by IHG, the property is the brand’s first location in Asia. The hotel is the result of a strong owner relationship of IHG in Greater China.

A fresh take on clear for IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts offers a fresh take on clean

IHG enhances guest experience with new cleaning protocols, service standards and partners, and launches a Clean Promise to give guests confidence as they re-establish travel norms

As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, IHG Hotels & Resorts is enhancing the experience for its hotel guests around the world, by redefining cleanliness and supporting guests’ personal wellbeing throughout their stay. 

Using new, science-led protocols and service measures, partnering with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, and launching a global IHG Clean Promise, the strengthened measures will give guests greater confidence and hotel teams the protection needed.

Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, commented: “The future of travel may look different, but a safe, secure stay is fundamental to deliver True Hospitality – and that will never change. By combining IHG’s world-class knowledge and processes, with cutting-edge expertise from Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, we can reassure guests and colleagues that we’re focused on protecting their health and wellbeing. This includes looking at where technology can make a difference, deploying enhanced, highly visible and more frequent cleaning measures, and different approaches to food and beverage, all underpinned by our new IHG Clean Promise.”

Enhancing IHG Way of Clean

IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures. Launched in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme was developed with Ecolab and Diversey, both world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services. This programme is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices - many of which are already in place - to reflect the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets around the world. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts offers a fresh take on clean

IHG Hotels & Resorts offers a fresh take on clean

IHG enhances guest experience with new cleaning protocols, service standards and partners, and launches a Clean Promise to give guests confidence as they re-establish travel norms

As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, IHG Hotels & Resorts is enhancing the experience for its hotel guests around the world, by redefining cleanliness and supporting guests’ personal wellbeing throughout their stay. 

Using new, science-led protocols and service measures, partnering with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, and launching a global IHG Clean Promise, the strengthened measures will give guests greater confidence and hotel teams the protection needed.

Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, commented: “The future of travel may look different, but a safe, secure stay is fundamental to deliver True Hospitality – and that will never change. By combining IHG’s world-class knowledge and processes, with cutting-edge expertise from Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, we can reassure guests and colleagues that we’re focused on protecting their health and wellbeing. This includes looking at where technology can make a difference, deploying enhanced, highly visible and more frequent cleaning measures, and different approaches to food and beverage, all underpinned by our new IHG Clean Promise.”

Enhancing IHG Way of Clean

IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures. Launched in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme was developed with Ecolab and Diversey, both world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services. This programme is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices - many of which are already in place - to reflect the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets around the world. 

IHG to open InterContinental Khao Yai Swan Lake Resort in Central Thailand

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) announced the signing of a management agreement with Elysian Hotel Management Company Limited, for a unique new property near Khao Yai National Park in central Thailand.

Set to open in 2020, InterContinental Khao Yai Swan Lake Resort will be an integral part of the Swan Lake mixed use project which is being positioned as a ‘destination retreat’. The resort creates a genuine sense of connection to nature with stunning views over seven man-made lakes, mountain views, and over 50,000 trees in the 100-acre site.

Guests at the 61-key resort will enjoy the features they expect from an InterContinental Resort with a Club Lounge and Resort Centre, pool and gym. In early 2021 facilities will be expanded to include a train-inspired spa, as well as a kids’ club and wedding chapel, making the resort a dream wedding venue for nature lovers.

Crowne Plaza Hamburg - City Alster unveils transformation

The newly transformed Crowne Plaza Hamburg - City Alster has been designed with the modern traveller and local in mind. The hotel has become the first Crowne Plaza in Germany to showcase the brand’s new concepts, including the new ‘Plaza Workspace’ public spaces, the innovative ‘WorkLife’ guest rooms, new food and drink options, and a refreshed approach to guest service.

Visit here for more details and to make reservations at the Crowne Plaza Hamburg - City Alster.

These new brand hallmarks are the future direction for the brand globally, offering a distinct experience for business and leisure guests. The hotel is one of two new flagship hotels in Europe alongside Crowne Plaza Paris-Republique.