Register to get 3 free articles
Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
IHG Hotels and Resorts (IHG) has announced the signing of four new Garner properties, extending the brand’s presence across the UK and Europe.
Launched in August 2023, Garner has seen rapid global growth, with 76 properties signed in the first half of 2024 alone, with 58 of those coming to IHG’s Europe market.
In the UK, the Garner Hotel Reading Centre is set to open late 2024, following an extensive refurbishment in partnership with Nilvip Hotels.
The 53-room hotel is located in the heart of Reading, providing access to the city’s commercial hubs, shopping districts, and transport links.
Meanwhile, the Garner Hotel Preston Samlesbury is also scheduled to open later in 2024, featuring 80 guest rooms in partnership with KRO Hospitality.
Additionally, As part of a long-term agreement with NOVUM Hospitality signed in April 2024, Garner will also debut in Austria’s capital Vienna, with a 106-room hotel, and in Maastricht in the Netherlands with a 165-room hotel and in Turkey with a 126-room property in Istanbul, slated to open in 2025.
According to IHG, interest in conversion opportunities continues to grow, reflecting the “growing demand for access to IHG’s enterprise platform, including its revenue-generating systems, marketing and loyalty programmes that support performance, increase efficiencies and drive returns”.
As a result, the first half of 2024, IHG saw record conversions activity globally, representing 41% of openings and 55% of signings.
Willemijn Geels, vice president, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are delighted by the rapid expansion of Garner and the interest shown by our partners in this exciting new brand.
We know our owners seek stronger returns on investments with an ability to reduce pre-opening costs by quickly moving to operational and now-open status, which is exactly what our newest brand, Garner, delivers.
“As with all conversion opportunities, owners also benefit from a quicker access to IHG’s enterprise, including our digital capabilities, global sales organisation, and award-winning distribution systems and loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards. We also know many travellers increasingly value straightforward; no-fuss stays that help them get on with their journeys. We look forward to welcoming guests to the first Garner properties to open in Europe in the coming months.”
