OPENINGS
IHG opens first Garner hotel near Seattle
Garner Hotel Auburn – Seattle opened in December , just south of Seattle .
By KATHAKALI NANDI
L
ess than three months after announcing Garner , its latest midscale conversion brand , IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the brand ’ s debut in December , in Auburn , Wash ., about 30 minutes south of Seattle .
In August , IHG unveiled its 19th brand and said the first set of hotels were likely to open by the end of this year . At the company ’ s H1 2023 earnings call , CEO Elie Maalouf hinted at the new brand and mentioned that 100 hotels and their owners had already expressed interest in the brand .
The debut of Garner hotels within three months of its announcement reflects the interest of owners to become part of the transformational conversion offering in the midscale segment , said Jolyon Bulley , CEO – Americas , IHG Hotels & Resorts .
The 95-room Garner Auburn — Seattle is owned and managed by S1 Hospitality Management , a local , full-service hotel and franchise management company . This is S1 Hospitality ’ s first property within the IHG brand family .
Garner Auburn — Seattle offers rooms at an affordable price point and the brand ’ s signature elements , such as the “ Make it Yours ” breakfast bar , flavor-infused water on check-in and a cookie “ happy hour .”
“ We ’ re honored to collaborate with IHG to introduce the first Garner hotel to the Auburn community and the world . The Garner brand is an ideal fit to capitalize
Leaders from IHG Hotels & Resorts and S1 Hospitality Management cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new Garner Auburn – Seattle hotel . on the growing potential in the midscale market , and we have no doubt this hotel will become both a leading choice for guests seeking a high-quality stay and a blueprint for future owners wanting a flexible conversion option ,” said Andy Cho , president of S1 Hospitality Management .
The opening of Garner Auburn — Seattle is the first of many planned in the next
86 hotelsmag . com Jan / Feb 2024