Modernisation described as a once in a generation redesign
InterContinental Sydney's rich history and harbourside location provided a wealth of inspiration for local architecture studio Woods Bagot, which oversaw the hotel's redesign.
Respecting and celebrating the heritage-listed building, the studio reimagined the hotel spaces drawing cues from the Australian landscape, Sydney harbour and neighbouring Royal Botanic Garden.
Each of the hotel's 509 guestrooms and suites have been reimagined with a modern new design, features and amenities. Drawing green and blue hues from the adjacent gardens and harbour through unobstructed windows, the redesign creates uninterrupted flow from indoor to outdoor.
Quintessential Australian elements of water, sand, wood and sky, have also been incorporated adding texture and warmth, creating a homely and relaxing environment for guests to retreat. Additional features include new integrated Google Chromecast services, Byredo bathroom amenities and an enhanced minibar offering, featuring custom-made offerings from local suppliers.
A redesigned hotel entrance and reception area
Included in the transformation was a redesign of the hotel's entrance and reception area, imbued with organically designed reception pods.
Whether entering from Macquarie Street, Phillip Street or via hotel's grand driveway, the new welcome experience is a sensory transition with structural elements, materials and textures to explore.
The main feature of this space is a new and intricate feature art wall that details a historical timeline of the city and property from 1788 to the present day.
New generation InterContinental Hotel for Riyadh via Al Ajlan Company partnership
Elsewhere, IHG has signed a management agreement with Al Ajlan Company for a InterContinental Hotel & Residences property in the Riyadh North area.
Set to open by 2028, the 400-key hotel and serviced apartments will form part of a state-of-the art masterplan comprising of high-end retail, offices and entertainment.
Saudi Arabia represents significant potential for the tourism and hospitality industry, as part of its Vision 2030 ambitions.
While Riyadh has long been and continues to be a centre for business in the Kingdom, new developments in the north of the city, including the Boulevard, U-Walk, and Riyadh Seasons herald a new demand for leisure tourism as well.
In addition to rooms designed with modern aesthetics, the hotel will feature distinctive dining options, multipurpose meetings and events rooms, a health club and a spa. Located in proximity to the airport, the hotel will also be strategically positioned to cater to business and leisure demand.
IHG currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 29 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.
IHG bolsters French presence with new voco hotel in Paris
In Europe, IHG has signed an agreement for a new voco hotel in Paris. The voco Paris Porte de Clichy will be its sixth vovo property in the country.
France continues to be a prime national market for IHG in Europe with 64 open hotels and a further 18 hotels in the pipeline.
Located in the immediate vicinity of the 17th arrondissement (district), voco Paris Porte de Clichy will be a 264-key conversion property and has recently been signed in conjunction with Catella Hospitality.
This is the second voco property in the city of lights after the 102-key voco Paris Montparnasse opened in 2020. It is due to open in summer 2023.
The newly signed property will be designed by Oscar Lucien Ono, founder and director of interior design agency Maison Numéro 20 and will be one of voco hotel's flagship properties, with particular attention being paid to the use of sustainable materials.
IHG signs with Solutions4Hotels GmbH to develop ten new hotels in Germany
IHG has signed a multi-development agreement (MDA) with Solutions4Hotels GmbH (S4H) with a commitment to develop 10 hotels of the Holiday Inn brand family with approximately 800 rooms in Germany.
The agreement is part of an extensive mixed-used development project in ten locations which also includes the development of premium service stations and restaurants.
Each site will feature a futuristic service station including electric charging, a petrol station with sustainable fuel solutions, a hotel, and a high-quality F&B offer.
The building sites are conveniently located along Germany's main motorways, all in close proximity to large cities.
Holiday Inn Express Leipzig South - an example of sustainable construction
IHG and S4H have also signed Holiday Inn Express Leipzig South as part of the MDA, the second signing within the agreement, following the signing of Holiday Inn Express Hamburg South in 2020 (an 80-room property already under construction and due to open by summer 2023).
As part of a modern and future-proof development concept, Holiday Inn Express Leipzig South will have a strong focus on sustainability which is already deeply ingrained in the construction plans of the building.
All rooms are planned as a wooden modular built, and the hotel will run on geothermal heating and feature solar panels for energy production which will be fed back into the hotel's circuit system.
The hotel is planned with 79 rooms and is expected to open towards the end of 2023. It will feature a modern breakfast area with complimentary breakfast, 24-hour reception, free WIFI, and a marketplace with snacks, drinks and other non-food items. Guest can also make use of a communal co-working space located within the building.
Holiday Inn Express brand returns to Dresden
IHG also signed an agreement with LRO Hospitality to add a 306-key Holiday Inn Express to the group's portfolio in Dresden, showcasing the brand's suitability to convert and rebrand existing hotels.
The hotel is expected to re-open as part of the IHG family within the next four-to-six months and will undergo full refurbishment to be rebranded to Holiday Inn Express Dresden by the summer of 2024.
The 10-floor property will include a lobby with breakfast area, a gym, and a flexible co-working/shared office space located on the first floor.
The hotel signing further strengthens IHG's portfolio of brands in Dresden, which includes Holiday Inn Dresden - Am Zwinger (144 keys), Holiday Inn Dresden - City South (89 keys) and Hotel Indigo Dresden - Wettiner Platz (132 keys).
As at the middle of this year, IHG had 91 hotels in Germany, of which 79 belong to the Holiday Inn brand family. The company has 25 hotels in the pipeline in the German pipeline.