Trip down memory lane: Garner by IHG Celebrates Analogue Travel Memories

BERLIN – 20 July 2026 – From childhood landmarks and favourite neighbourhoods to the people who have shaped them along the way, Garner by IHG is celebrating the memories that make travel meaningful with a new campaign featuring actors Lea van Acken, Gizem Emre and Ben Felipe.

The tastemakers have each embarked on a personal trip down memory lane, revisiting destinations and memories that helped shape who they are today. Starting their journeys from Garner hotels across Germany and armed with an instax^TM camera, the trio captured their experiences through an analogue lens – focusing on spontaneous moments, genuine connections and the stories behind the places they returned to.

The result is a collection of visual travel diaries that celebrate authenticity, nostalgia and the lasting impact travel can have on our lives, echoing the characterful, one-of-a-kind spirit of Garner hotels. Rather than chasing the next destination, Garner is shining a light on the memories, relationships and experiences that stay with us long after a trip has ended.

Inspired by their journeys, Garner by IHG is giving guests the opportunity to create their own travel diary. Throughout August, guests staying at Garner Hotel Cologne – Engelbertz, Garner Hotel Augsburg Nord, Garner Hotel Mannheim City and Garner Hotel Berlin – Mitte can borrow complimentary instax™ cameras and film during their stay, encouraging the spirited, flexiible travellers to move at their own pace, get into the world around them and capture meaningful moments in a personal and creative way. Guests will also be invited to share their analogue travel diaries on social media for the chance to win a stay at a Garner hotel of their choice in Germany.

Mario Maxeiner, Managing Director Northern Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts comments:“Travel is about so much more than the places we visit – it's about the memories we make, the people we meet and the moments that stay with us long after we've returned home. Through the personal stories of Lea, Gizem and Ben, we're celebrating the experiences that shape us and reminding travellers that some of the most meaningful moments happen when we take the time to truly connect with a destination. At Garner, we're focused on making travel easy, comfortable and full of character, and by offering guests the opportunity to capture their own travel diary with an instax™ camera, we're encouraging them to create lasting memories of their journey in a fun and meaningful way.”

Three journeys, three stories

Lea van Acken, Gizem Emre and Ben Felipe each returned to places that hold personal meaning – from neighbourhoods connected to their childhoods to destinations tied to defining moments in their lives. Armed with an instax^TM camera, they captured the memories, emotions and experiences that continue to shape who they are today.

Actress Lea van Acken began her journey at Garner Hotel Berlin – Charlottenburg, using the stay as an opportunity to reconnect with a city that has played a defining role in both her personal and professional life.

Reflecting on the role travel and hotels have played throughout her career, she said: "Before Berlin became my home, hotel rooms were the starting point for almost everything: productions, events and first appearances. They were the place where I prepared myself to step into a new role, a new story or a new chapter. Returning to that feeling with an analogue camera in hand, brought back so many memories. Between styling, learning lines and preparing for the day ahead, the room became that familiar space once again – somewhere between arriving and becoming. Capturing those moments reminded me how many important memories begin long before you reach your destination."

Actress and entrepreneur Gizem Emre rediscovered her hometown of Berlin through the lens of an analogue camera. During a staycation at Garner Hotel Berlin – Ku'Damm, she stepped away from her daily routine and explored familiar streets with fresh eyes, rediscovering what makes the city feel like home.

She commented: "When I'm filming, I often live in a hotel for weeks at a time. After a long day on set, the things that matter most to me are the ones that make me feel comfortable quickly: a relaxed atmosphere, a warm team and a place where I can simply switch off. For the staycation, I revisited some of my favourite spots in Charlottenburg and Mitte. With an analogue camera in hand, you automatically take more time and look more closely. It was a lovely opportunity to experience Berlin consciously again. For me, home isn't only a particular place – above all, it's the feeling of being at ease and having arrived.

Actor and musician Ben Felipe embarked on a particularly personal journey alongside his brother, revisiting places and memories that have shaped their relationship over the years. Using Garner Hotel Augsburg – Nord as their base, the pair reflected on childhood experiences while creating new memories together.

Ben said: "My earliest travel memories are with my brother. Growing up, many of our journeys centered around visiting family in Spain, and those trips created moments that have stayed with us ever since. Traveling with him always feels special. As I’m currently away a lot for filming, on this trip we had the chance to slow down for a while, share old and new stories, bring back nearly forgotten memories and reflect on how much all of those experiences have shaped us. Looking back while creating new memories was a powerful reminder that travel isn't always about discovering somewhere new, sometimes it's about reconnecting with the people, places and moments that matter most."

For more information and to sign up to borrow an instax^TM camera at participating Garner hotels from 1st to 31st August 2026, visit www.garnermemories.de.