IHG Hotels & Resorts adds 653 rooms to Spanish pipeline with a trio of Holiday Inn Express signings

LONDON (UK), 30.06.2026 – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced the signing of three franchise agreements for new-build Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, marking a significant strategic partnership with global alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital. The three properties - totalling 653 rooms across Madrid, Málaga, and Barcelona - are the first hotels signed to date as part of Selecto, a new select service hotel platform created by Tikehau Capital with operating partner Quest Capital, with additional signings expected in the coming months.

IHG currently operates more than 20 Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, with an additional four properties in the pipeline, and over 340 open and pipeline properties across Europe. The signings underscore IHG's commitment to accelerating its Holiday Inn Express footprint in one of Europe's strongest and fastest-growing tourism markets and represent the largest single-partnership signing for the brand in Spain to date.

As part of the Selecto platform, these three signings’ pair IHG’s trusted Holiday Inn Express brand with strong local expertise in the select service segment, with the ambition to develop a diverse portfolio of Holiday Inn Express hotels across Iberia in the coming years.

Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Julián Camarillo (244 rooms)

A new-build hotel in Madrid's MadBit neighbourhood, an emerging technology and business district, is strategically positioned between the city centre and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, while being surrounded by green spaces including El Paraíso, Quinta de los Molinos, and Torre Arias parks. The property will be the largest Holiday Inn Express in the Iberian Peninsula and will feature the latest fifth-generation (Gen 5) brand design, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness area, becoming a flagship property for the Holiday Inn Express brand in Spain.

The city has firmly established itself as one of Europe's leading destinations, frequently outpacing Paris and London in international visitor growth rankings. Strategically located and highly accessible, the new Holiday Inn Express will be well positioned to attract both corporate guests and value-conscious leisure travellers, with proximity to IFEMA, Madrid’s largest congress and events venue, as well as the city’s new Formula 1 track. The hotel is expected to open in Q1 2028.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Málaga – Palacio de Congresos (259 rooms, including 52 suites)

Set between Málaga's airport and city centre, adjacent to the FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Centre, the new hotel will also feature an outdoor swimming pool, sun deck, fitness area and Holiday Inn Express Generation 5 design public spaces. Scheduled to open in Q1 2029, it will become IHG's third property in the city, complementing the existing Holiday Inn Express Málaga Airport and Staybridge Suites.

Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – Fira (150 rooms)

The new-build hotel will be located next to Fira de Barcelona - one of Europe's largest convention centres - strategically positioned between Barcelona El Prat Airport and the city centre. Planned to open in Q1 2029, it will become IHG's 12th property across the wider Barcelona area, spanning open and pipeline hotels, and is expected to complement the existing portfolio with no anticipated overlap.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Spain is an important growth market in Europe, and these three signings represent a major step forward in our strategy to expand Holiday Inn Express and grow our Essentials brands in the country. Partnering with Tikehau Capital - one of Europe's most respected alternative asset managers - gives us a strong platform to accelerate our growth in key Spanish cities. With over 20 Holiday Inn Express hotels already open in Spain, we see significant runway to bring this trusted brand to even more travellers across the Iberian Peninsula.”

Spain continues to rank among Europe's top tourism markets. Barcelona welcomed 16 million visitors in 2025, while Málaga province recorded over 6.25 million tourists and 22.1 million overnight stays. Madrid's airport submarket has experienced record-breaking demand driven by both corporate and leisure segments.

Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s fastest-growing Essentials brand with 3,304 open hotels and 666 hotels in the pipeline globally. Built around a promise of simple, smart travel, the brand appeals to a broad range of travellers – from business to leisure – offering an engaging place to rest and recharge, with a complimentary hot breakfast included with every stay.