INTERNATIONAL REPORT—IHG is bringing two of its brands to Nottingham in the U.K., and has opened its second Voco property in France. Here’s a look:
Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites Coming to Nottingham
The company has committed to bring two of its brands to Nottingham, U.K., after signing a management agreement with Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter development.
IHG will be bringing its upscale boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo as well as its extended-stay offering, Staybridge Suites, to the city as part of the multimillion-pound plan that will transform this gateway area of Nottingham.
The 17-story hotel will comprise 223 bedrooms and suites—155 located within Hotel Indigo and a further 68 aimed at multi-night business and leisure travelers in the Staybridge Suites, which will include a range of amenities such as a full kitchen and dedicated shared outdoor space exclusively for Staybridge Suites guests.
The hotel is the city’s first of its size in nearly two decades, forming part of a landmark tall building.
Inspired by ‘the neighborhood story’ of the city, Hotel Indigo will take design cues from the local area and its bar and restaurant will offer locally sourced ingredients to customers. Meanwhile, the Staybridge Suites will have a 24-hour fitness room, storage lockers for guests wishing to store items between stays and a communal “outdoor living room” complete with firepit, grilling areas and covered seating. All the suites allow people to enjoy a flexible space to relax, play and work.
Voco Hotels Opens in Strasbourg
IHG has opened Voco Strasbourg Centre – The Garden, marking the brand’s second opening in France, following the opening of Voco Paris Montparnasse in September last year.
The façade of Voco Strasbourg Centre – The Garden takes its design cues from the industrial era, with the original brickwork dating from the 19th Century highlighted using wrought iron. A nod to Voco Hotels’ green spirit, the hotel’s name outside is surrounded by vegetal details in the shape of ferns in the ironwork. The inside of the hotel diverges from the industrial feel of the exterior and expands on the garden theme, creating an oasis of calm and tranquility, with the use of natural materials for furnishings, tropical plants and living walls that flourish throughout the public spaces.
The 120 guestrooms, many with their own terraces, blend a botanically inspired palette, with paneling and contrast lighting.
Guests will sleep easy knowing that the brand’s “Tread Lightly” ethos resonates throughout the hotel. This includes sustainable initiatives, such as aerated shower heads to reduce water usage, and the use of glass water bottles removing an average of 300 plastic bottles per guestroom per year. In addition, as part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to switch to bulk sizes amenities, miniature bottles have been removed from the hotel and replaced with larger-sized Korres products, producing 80% less waste.
Set against a leafy backdrop with a large outside terrace area and lawn, the hotel’s onsite restaurant, The Garden, offers all-day dining with menus combining international and local specialties created with locally sourced ingredients in mind. For example, guests can enjoy locally made, sustainability-sourced juices, honey and jams at breakfast. There is also a fully equipped gym, indoor pool, and spa with treatment rooms featuring a living wall, low lights and loungers.
