IHG Hotels & Resorts has accelerated its growth in Europe with a particular focus on the German market as well as an increased level of “conversion” properties.
In a statement, the UK-based hotel giant said that it has added 32,800 rooms in Europe over the past three years and reached the “milestone” of having more than 150,000 rooms across the continent.
IHG added 102 hotels in Europe to its portfolio in 2025, including the purchase of urban “lifestyle” brand Ruby Hotels, as well as signing a further 117 forthcoming properties.
The company said its European expansion had been driven by a “supportive macro backdrop” and the continent being the world’s most visited region with a total of 793 million international visitors in 2025.
IHG added that Germany was “central to this growth story” and now accounts for more than 20 per cent of the firm’s current rooms in Europe, alongside 20 per cent of its development pipeline of new hotels (adding up to a total of 8,340 rooms) across the continent.
“Momentum in Germany amplifies brand awareness and drives demand and performance across IHG’s wider European and global portfolio,” said IHG.
Germany is IHG’s second largest market in Europe with 242 open and pipeline hotels, ranking only behind the UK and Ireland, which has just over 400 open and upcoming properties. They are followed by France (84 hotels) and Spain (81 properties).
Karin Sheppard, IHG’s SVP and managing director, Europe, also highlighted the importance of conversions of existing hotels to IHG brands for its European growth.
“Conversions are playing an increasingly significant role in our growth, accounting for 84 per cent of room openings and 61 per cent of room signings in Europe in 2025,” said Sheppard.
“This highlights owners’ appetite for a faster, lower risk route to market, allowing them to quickly tap into the strength of IHG’s brands, distribution, loyalty and commercial engine.”
IHG’s recent openings in Europe include Six Senses London, which debuted on 1 March, as well as the expansion of brands such as Kimpton, Vignette Collection, Garner and voco into new markets. The group’s flagship InterContinental brand also plans to open a hotel in Prague in 2029.
Extended stay brands, such as Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites, have also been adding European properties. Candlewood Suites has recently opened in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik and Staybridge Suites will enter the Italian market with a forthcoming property in Milan.