IHG Expands Holiday Inn Express Portfolio in Spain

Holiday Inn Express Hotels Planned for Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed franchise agreements for three new-build Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, marking the start of a partnership with alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital. The hotels, located in Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona, will add 653 rooms to IHG’s portfolio and form the first projects under Selecto, a select-service hotel platform created by Tikehau Capital and operating partner Quest Capital.

The agreements support IHG’s continued expansion of the Holiday Inn Express brand across Spain, where the company currently operates more than 20 hotels and has four additional properties in development.

Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Julián Camarillo

The 244-room hotel will be located in Madrid’s MadBit district, positioned between the city centre and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. Designed with the brand’s Generation 5 concept, the property will include an outdoor swimming pool and fitness area. It is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028.

The hotel will be close to IFEMA, Madrid’s exhibition and convention centre, as well as the city’s upcoming Formula 1 circuit, making it suitable for both business and leisure travellers.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Málaga – Palacio de Congresos

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2029, the 259-room property, including 52 suites, will be located between Málaga Airport and the city centre, next to the FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Centre.

The hotel will feature an outdoor swimming pool, sun deck, fitness facilities and public areas based on the Holiday Inn Express Generation 5 design. It will become IHG’s third property in Málaga.

Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – Fira

The 150-room hotel will be developed next to Fira de Barcelona, between Barcelona-El Prat Airport and the city centre. Expected to open in the first quarter of 2029, it will expand IHG’s presence in the Barcelona area to 12 properties open or in the pipeline.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said Spain remains an important market for the company and that the partnership with Tikehau Capital will support the growth of the Holiday Inn Express brand across key destinations in the country.

Spain continues to attract strong visitor numbers, with Barcelona welcoming around 16 million visitors in 2025, while Málaga province recorded more than 6.25 million tourists and 22.1 million overnight stays. Madrid has also continued to see demand from both business and leisure travellers.