IHG Expands Portfolio Abroad

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is expanding its presence abroad, with a deal in Laos and one in Mexico. Here’s a closer look at what’s in the pipeline:

Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane

IHG has signed a management agreement with BIM Group to develop the first Holiday Inn hotel in Vientiane, Laos. This will be IHG’s third project with BIM Group, who also owns Crowne Plaza Vientiane and the upcoming InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort & Residences.

Set to open in 2019, the 250-room Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, which includes 50 long-stay suites, will be part of a mixed-use development consisting of the existing Crowne Plaza Vientiane, office towers and a retail mall. Located within the vicinity of the city center, the new-build hotel will be proximate to the airport.

The new hotel will be equipped with versatile function spaces for meetings and events, including a large ballroom capable of seating more than 1,000 people—banquet style. In addition there will be a business center, outdoor swimming pool, gym, and two dining establishments. The hotel will also provide the Holiday Inn brand’s signature offerings such as the Kids Stay and Eat Free program.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajit Sukumaran, chief development officer, Asia Middle East Africa, IHG said: “The country’s growing prominence as a business and tourism destination is in line with our strategic expansion plans in Laos, which include Crowne Plaza Vientiane, the first internationally branded upscale hotel in Vientiane, and the upcoming Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane. With the excellent experience we’ve had working with our partner, BIM Group, we are excited to continue this relationship, bringing our mid-scale offerings to the Laotian capital with the debut of our trusted Holiday Inn brand.”

The developer, BIM Group owns two other IHG hotels—Crowne Plaza Vientiane, which opened earlier this year, and InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort & Residences in Vietnam.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites León – Aeropuerto

Elsewhere, IHG has opened the new-build 140-room and 12 suites Holiday Inn Express & Suites León – Aeropuerto hotel in León Guanajuato, Mexico.

The hotel joins four other IHG properties open in city: Holiday Inn León, Crowne Plaza León, Holiday Inn León Convention Center and Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites León Plaza Mayor.

This new hotel, located at Carretera 45 Silao –León Km. 156, Col. Nuevo Mexico, Silao, Guanajuato, is near multiple industrial parks including Puerto Interior, Castro del Río and Fipasi, which are home to automotive companies such as General Motors, Ford and Volkswagen.

Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, on-site guest laundry facilities, business center, indoor heated swimming pool, three small meeting rooms for up to 100 people, laundry services and valet parking for 117 cars. Additionally, there is a regular shuttle service to and from the airport.

Owned and managed by Nathan Desarrollos Hoteleros SAPI, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites León – Aeropuerto hotel is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.