IHG Hotels & Resorts will introduce the Ruby Hotels brand to the United States with a property in downtown Chicago. The hotel will be developed and operated by Ruby Group under a 30-year franchise agreement with IHG.

The project involves the full renovation and repositioning of the historic Inn of Chicago building, dating from the late 1920s and located one block east of the Magnificent Mile. Renovation work is expected to start in the second half of 2026.

The planned hotel will comprise 22 floors and 412 rooms. It will include redesigned public areas, a lobby and bar intended to operate throughout the day, and a rooftop terrace and bar overlooking the Chicago skyline. Guestrooms are designed with compact layouts and higher-end finishes.

The hotel is scheduled to open in 2027. Ruby Group is developing the project in partnership with Berk Properties, a US-based real estate and hospitality investor. Ruby Group will also establish its operating platform in North America as part of this project.

Ruby Hotels was founded in Germany in 2013 and currently has 35 hotels open or in the pipeline across Europe. IHG acquired the brand in 2025.

The group aims to expand Ruby to more than 120 hotels globally within the next decade, and over 250 in the longer term.

Source

New Project

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Thonglor
115 rooms
From what I've seen, the opening date is scheduled for Q4 2026. Construction is 80% complete.
Location: Sukhumvit 51, 300 meters from BTS Thonglor (5-minute walk).

It appears that the plans to operate the existing, independently branded Abesq Doha Hotel & Residences as a Kimpton are back online as per this press release, which coyly refers to a 283-room hotel converting to Kimpton Al Rowda Doha in mid-2026.

khabah

NEWS FLASH:

IHG expands UK presence wit 4 New hotel (Garner and Voco)IHG announces the signings and openings of four properties with Fairview Hotels across the UK, including voco London � Bloomsbury, Garner Hotel Lincoln, Garner Hotel Rotherham East and Garner Hotel Chesterfield North.

The latest properties add over 380 rooms to IHG�s UK&I pipeline. This growth builds on IHG�s leading position across essentials and premium segments as well as its success in launching and growing conversion brands, such as voco and Garner.
Voco London � Bloomsbury is located on Southampton Row, close to Kimpton Fitzroy London and Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury - The 114-room hotel occupies a charming Victorian fa�ade and is expected to be fully rebranded and will open under the voco brand in mid-2026, remaining open to guests in the meantime.

Garner Hotel Rotherham East: Recently opened in January 2025, the 91-room hotel enhances the Garner offering in South Yorkshire. Located in Bramley, the hotel is close to Junction 1 of the M18.

Garner Hotel Lincoln: Set to open in February 2026, the 91-room Garner Hotel Lincoln is situated in North Hykeham, southwest of Lincoln, offering excellent access to the A46 and just 13 minutes from Lincoln Central Station.

Garner Hotel Chesterfield North: Also opening in February 2026, the 91-room Garner Hotel Chesterfield North is in Balborough, Derbyshire, close to Junction 30 of the M1 offering connectivity to Sheffield, Chesterfield. North Leeds and South Birmingham.
Source: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4130706.html

IHG opens Voco Hotel in Lucknow - India.IHG has signed a management agreement with Rajdeep Infra & Sales Pvt Ltd for the development of Voco Lucknow. Scheduled to open in Q3 2029.Located in Ashiyana, one of Lucknow's most sought-after areas, the hotel is situated a short drive from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport.

The 135-key hotel is currently under construction. This project will represent the third IHG hotel in Lucknow, joining the operational Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.
Source: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/annou.../41014010.html

Update @Openings & New Hotels - February 4, 2026

IHG anounced the following openings:

China
Vignette Collection Chengdu Palm Springs Hotel- Open since January 3, 2026 - Currently Riverside Fairmont Hotel (Source Ticket 3306)

Changed Opening Date:

Japan
CHANGE -> ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda (Hyogo) - (Opening May 1, 2026 (was Summer 2026)) - Current The Celecton Premier Hotel (Source Ticket 3168)

*** USA (Florida)
CHANGE -> Staybridge Suites Crestview South (Opening April 14, 2026 (was December 12 ,2025)) - Source: IHG website

Possible cancelled:

Saudi Arabia
Staybridge Suites Taif (Opening (Summer) 2025))

Project Update: Kimpton Bay Phuket

The Kimpton Bay Phuket is a new rebranding project of the former Crowne Plaza Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, located at Makham Bay.

The property has been acquired by B&G, the same owner as voco Bangkok Sukhumvit 11. While construction is already underway for the voco Bangkok project, Kimpton Bay Phuket is currently in the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) process.

The hotel is presently closed to accommodate these developments.

I would like to know the answer to this too.

Yep, a bizarre one. It appears the resort is open and is bookable through https://www.happy-valley.pl/en , but it's at a stand still with the integration. I don't have any other info, unfortunately.

Update @Openings & New Hotels - February 11, 2026

IHG announced following new Hotel projects:

China
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Lize Business District (Opening May 31, 2026) - 184 rooms - More info: click here - (Source IHG Website/ Ticket 3354)
Voco Hotel Beijing Temple of heaven (Opening September 5, 2026) - 324 rooms - More info: click here - (Source IHG website/Ticket 3354)

IHG announced the following openings:

Australia
Crowne Plaza Geelong - Open since January 21, 2026 - 200 rooms

China
Garner Hotel Beijjing 798 Art District - Open since February 1, 2026 - (Source IHG Website)
Holiday Inn & Suites & Jiaxing Hangzhou Bay - Open since February 1, 2026 (Source IHG Website)
Holiday Inn Express Kunming Yilang Cen ter - Open since January 15, 2026- More info: click here

USA - New Mexico
Garner Hotel Albuquerque Airport - Open since February 1, 2026 - (Source ticket 3232)

Changed Opening Date:

Albania
Crowne Plaza Durr�s - (Opening April 6, 2026 (was February 21, 2026)) - 140 rooms

Australia
Holiday Inn Townsville (Opening June 1, 2026(was spring 2026) - 93 rooms - (Source Ticket 3097) - More info: click here

China
Holiday Inn Express Kunming Horti - Expo Garden (Opening April 30, (was February 28, 2026)) - (Source IHG website)

Germany
Holiday Inn Cottbus Berliner Platz (Opening May 1, 2026(Was March 2026)) - 181 rooms - (Source Ticket 3327)
Holiday Inn Ratingen City - (Opening April 1, 2026 (was February 15, 2026 )) - 134 rooms - More info: click here - Current Relaxa Hotel Wilhelmstrasse

Japan
ANA Holiday Inn Tosu (Sagaa) (Opening November 1, (was Summer 2026)) - current Hotel Bientos (Source Ticket 3168)

Turkey
Crowne Plaza Istanbul West (Cakmaki Mah) - (Opening April 30, 2026 (was February 5, 2026)) - Source IHG Website
Hoiday Inn Istanbul Beylikduzu (Opening May 13 (was February 1) 2026)) - Source IHG website

Possible cancelled:

Latvia
Holiday Inn Riga (Opening December 2025 ( was September 2023) - 305 rooms - More info click here <possible cancelled>

InterContinental Port Moresby announced for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; opening 2028 with 179 rooms, all-day dining and specialty restaurants, lobby lounge, pool bar, 600+ square meters of meeting and event space, club lounge, fitness center and outdoor pool.

khabah

Does anyone have any information regarding the planned duo-construction (CP/HIX) at Arlanda, Stockholm? I have tried to locate the construction on a couple of occasions but can't see a single shovel, completely cancelled or just seriously delayed? It was supposed to open 2026.

A quick look at the project owner, Bj�rnb�ckens Fastighets AB, makes me rather skeptical.

It�s only Februar so they still have 10 months to go before 2026 is over. The developer shows the hotel on their website without further info.

Update @Openings & New Hotels - February 14, 2026

* IHG announced the following openings:

Thailand
Holiday Inn Express Rayong - Open since December 2025

* IHG changed following Opening Dates:

Turkey
Vignette Collection Hotel Istanbul L�Union Han - Karak�y (Opening May 18, 2026 (was 2025)) - 51 rooms - (Info ticket 2973) - More info: click here
Holiday Inn Express Instanbul Arnavutkoy (Opening June 28, 2026 (was Winter 2025)) - 64 rooms

I’ve read some articles about Regent’s upcoming project in French Polynesia.
I also just noticed that the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is planning a long closure for renovations.

Does anyone know if they are planning to rebrand it as the Regent Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa?

https://latteluxurynews.com/2026/02/...luxe-comeback/