driving development through its eponymous InterContinental brand, along with the ultrahigh-end Six Senses and Regent Hotels, a venerable brand IHG acquired a 51 % majority stake in in 2018 and which it has the right to acquire the remaining 49 % in a phased manner starting in 2026. One of its most recent openings was Regent |
WE HAVE TO BE BALANCED IN OUR APPROACH AND MAKE SURE THAT IT’ S NOT ABOUT SIMPLY BRINGING A DEAL OVER THE FINISH LINE
– LEANNE HARWOOD, SVP,
MANAGING DIRECTOR, LUXURY
& LIFESTYLE AMERICAS, IHG, ON
KEY MONEY
Bali Canggu, which opened in February 2025, and includes 150 suites and villas. The opening came on the heels of the opening of Regent Santa Monica, a conversion of the former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel that marked the return of the Regent brand to the U. S.
The opening of Regent Bali Canggu is part of a concerted
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effort by IHG to nurture and grow luxury products in the Asia-Pacific region, said Leanne Harwood, SVP, managing director, luxury & lifestyle Americas for IHG. She pointed to Regent Shanghai on the Bund, one of two Regent properties in Shanghai, as testament. The bulk of the Regent portfolio is in Asia.
IHG’ s luxury and lifestyle brands, which also include the likes of Kimpton, Indigo and Vignette Collection, represent 20 % of its global pipeline, nearly double what it was five years ago, and it’ s an area that the company— known the world over for the iconic Holiday Inn brand— is steadfastly focused on growing.“ We see ourselves as being a market leader in this segment,” Harwood said.
While the eco-conscious and wellness-centric Six Senses, a brand which IHG acquired the management rights to in
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2019, has traditionally cropped up in almost secluded resort destinations, there has been a push by IHG to push it into the light of the city. Six Senses Rome opened in 2023, the brand’ s first true urban location, with further deliveries in London, Milan and Dubai through 2026.
Harwood said that IHG isn’ t unwilling to use its balance sheet to secure deals, but employing key money to chase deals is not the strategy.“ We have to be very balanced in our approach and make sure that it’ s not about simply bringing a deal over the finish line,” she said.“ It’ s one thing to throw money up front, but once the doors open, you’ ve got to actually deliver.”
BEYOND BRAND Smaller luxury groups, having eschewed the siren call of the big brands to go at it alone,
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A living room at SLS Madrid Infantas Residences, slated for completion next year. |
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Sept / Oct 2025 hotelsmag. com 25 |