IHG Hotels & Resorts expands luxury footprint in Portugal with InterContinental Vilamoura – Algarve signing

24.06.2026 (London, UK): IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the signing of InterContinental Vilamoura – Algarve in Vilamoura, Portugal, in partnership with HDP Algarve SA. The signing reinforces the continued appeal of the Algarve as a top luxury resort destination in Southern Europe and marks the fourth InterContinental property in Portugal, further strengthening IHG’s leading Luxury & Lifestyle presence in the country.

Scheduled to open in April 2027 following a comprehensive renovation from the current Crowne Plaza brand, InterContinental Vilamoura – Algarve will comprise 323 luxury guest rooms and a range of restaurants and bars, spa and wellness facilities, extensive leisure amenities and flexible meeting and event spaces.

Located close to Vilamoura Marina, the golden Praia de Vilamoura and several renowned golf courses, the rebranded InterContinental Hotel will cater to both international leisure travellers and the growing premium meetings and events market, capitalising on Vilamoura’s evolving and growing luxury demand.

(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “We are delighted to sign InterContinental Vilamoura – Algarve, reinforcing our commitment to growing our luxury portfolio in Portugal. Vilamoura is one of Portugal’s most established and dynamic luxury resort destinations, and this signing reflects both strong owner confidence in the market and the continued demand for world‑class luxury hospitality experiences under the InterContinental brand.

It is especially rewarding to enter into this project alongside our valued long-term partners, HDP Algarve SA. This is a significant project and we look forward to welcoming guests to what promises to be an extraordinary InterContinental experience in the heart of the Algarve.” 

Mario Vasco Pereira, Chairman, HDP Algarve SA, commented: “We are proud to deepen our long‑standing relationship with IHG through the repositioning of this landmark resort to an InterContinental property. This transformation aligns with our vision to elevate the hotel’s offering and deliver an exceptional luxury experience that reflects the evolving profile of Vilamoura and the wider Algarve.”

Driven by strong year‑round leisure and city‑break demand, Portugal continues to be one of IHG’s fastest‑growing emerging markets in Southern Europe. The signing underlines its long‑term growth ambitions in the region and builds on IHG’s strategy to expand its existing Luxury & Lifestyle presence in the country, with hotels including InterContinental Cascais-Estoril, Hotel Indigo Albufeira, Kimpton Atlântico Algarve and Six Senses Douro Valley.

The world’s first and largest luxury and lifestyle hotel brand, InterContinental is executing a full end-to-end brand evolution. This evolution is driven by InterContinental’s long-held belief that travel can expand minds and connect cultures. It is reimagining the luxury travel experience for today’s modern luxury traveller to strike a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity, satisfying the desire of today’s guest for unrivalled knowledge and culturally rich experiences.

InterContinental Vilamoura – Algarve will reflect the brand’s distinctive outlook to bring luxurious accommodation to every corner of the globe, while contributing to the continued evolution of the Algarve’s upscale hospitality landscape.

The hotel will join IHG’s fast-growing Luxury and Lifestyle segment, now the second largest in the world, with more than 595 open hotels and 392 in development globally. It joins 34 InterContinental properties across Europe, including the recently opened InterContinental Chantilly Chateau Mont Royal and nine pipeline properties, including InterContinental Belgrade which will mark the brand’s return to Serbia after 20 years.

This year, InterContinental celebrates its 80th anniversary and continues to set the benchmark for luxury hospitality.

Numbers as of 31st March 2026