18 May 2022
InterContinental brand to debut in Crete
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is proud to announce the signing of InterContinental Resort Crete – marking the luxury brand’s debut on the Greek island.
Set to open in spring 2023, IHG is developing this unique hotel in partnership with Henderson Park, the private equity real estate firm, and Hines, the international real estate firm.
InterContinental Resort Crete will feature 205 guest rooms, all boasting private verandas – and half featuring private jacuzzies – as guests are offered the brand’s signature slice of InterContinental life while enjoying their stay in one of Europe’s leading resort destinations.
Providing idyllic views over Mirabello Bay, the hotel may be directly accessed from a seafront promenade, making it the only property in Agios Nikolaos to offer such great accessibility to its guests. It is ideally located less than an hour’s drive from Crete’s capital Heraklion, and Heraklion International Airport.
Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “InterContinental is the world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand and has been renowned by guests as the epitome of luxury hotel experience for the past 75 years. We are delighted to be partnering with Henderson Park and Hines to introduce the brand in Crete and look forward to bringing our shared vision to life.
“InterContinental Resort Crete is the latest in a series of signings by IHG in Europe over the past 12 months that perfectly illustrate the strength and popularity of the InterContinental brand. Exciting new properties in locations including Ankara in Turkey, Baku in Azerbaijan and Canj in Montenegro have expanded our luxury footprint in the region. We’re also delighted to announce a 20-year extension of our agreement with InterContinental Athens. It’s going to be a great year ahead, and we look forward to more growth to come in 2022 and beyond.”
Philippe Couturier, Managing Director at Henderson Park, said: “Our success in attracting the InterContinental brand, one of the world’s leading luxury hotel names, to commit to this resort in Crete is a strong endorsement for its quality and appeal, as well as the huge potential we believed it offered from the outset. InterContinental Resort Crete is an exciting addition to Henderson Park and Hines’ Greek hospitality portfolio, and we hope that this agreement will mark just the first stage of building a rewarding long-term relationship with IHG at this exceptional property.”
Paul Gomopoulos, Senior Managing Director and Country Head of Hines in Greece added: “We’re proud to be working with IHG Hotels & Resorts on this truly unique property. Our joint venture has established a strong track record in the Greek hospitality market, and we are delighted to partner with IHG and look forward to harnessing the power of its global enterprise and utilising its market-leading expertise.
“With a prime location and unrivalled facilities, InterContinental Resort Crete will be the first choice of guests seeking a luxury stay on the island. There are many exciting developments planned for Crete, and we’re confident that our new hotel will be at the heart of the island.”
The interior of InterContinental Resort Crete is inspired by elements of the sea, air and rock, and enriched with local history, materials and craft, offering guests the ultimate combination of peace and relaxation. The entrance lobby, lounge and reception will feature an exposed rock face lit from above by a water-filled skylight, drawing from the island’s scenic coastal character.
When it comes to relaxing, the hotel will offer something for every guest with four restaurants, three bars and a range of facilities including a pool terrace, indoor spa, infinity pool deck and rooftop pool. There will also be a wellness and fitness leisure centre, while those looking to work can visit the extensive, fully equipped range of meeting spaces.
Crete is one of Greece’s leading destinations with more than six million visitors thanks to its picturesque beaches, pristine natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history, including Minoan Era sites such as the Knossos Palace.
*Any numbers as at 31 December 2021
Ends
For further information please contact:
Sophie Elliott
[email protected]
+44 7766 050243
Julia Farish
[email protected]
+44 7787 058717
About IHG®
IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has around 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,800 in the development pipeline.
- Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
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- Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels
- Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 325,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
The InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts brand turns every trip into a fascinating experience, with a vision of 75 years of experience. Each of our establishments is a gateway to the glamour of InterContinental Living. As a brand, we aim to embody global sophistication through our superior, discreet service and exceptional amenities. What makes us really different is the genuine interest we show our guests through personalized and caring services. We offer the most exclusive VIP services through the InterContinental® Ambassadors program and an exclusive experience thanks to the InterContinental® Club. We connect our travelled guests with what is most special at each destination, so that they can enjoy authentic local experiences that will enrich their lives. For more information and to book, visit www.intercontinental.com, and connect with us at www.facebook.com/intercontinental and Instagram www.instagram.com/intercontinental.
About Hines
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 285 cities in 28 countries. Hines oversees investment assets under management valued at approximately $90.3 billion¹. In addition, Hines provides third-party property-level services to 373 properties totaling 114.2 million square feet. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired approximately 1,530 properties, totaling over 511 million square feet. The firm currently has more than 198 developments underway around the world. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a foundational commitment to ESG, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world.
Since entering Europe in 1991, Hines has grown its European platform to include offices in 17 cities as well as a presence in 60 cities in 14 countries. Hines oversees investment assets under management valued at approximately €24.5 billion and provides third-party property-level services totaling 4.3 million square metres in Europe, in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Visit www.hines.com for more information.
- Includes both the global Hines organization as well as RIA AUM as of 31 December 2021
About Henderson Park
Henderson Park is a pan-European private equity property manager based in London. The firm has invested approximately $12 billion in building a portfolio of flagship real estate assets across Europe, with a presence in major cities and capitals in France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Henderson Park seeks high quality assets in prime locations where it can identify the potential for unlocking or creating value through asset management, or by taking on and working in complex situations. The company’s current portfolio is diversified across various sectors such as office, logistics, multifamily, student housing, hospitality and retail, including several real estate development projects. Henderson Park strives to work and build long-term strategic relationships with the best local partners.
Henderson Park is a signatory of the UN PRI.
Visit www.hendersonpark.com for more information.