IHG To Debut Vignette Collection Brand In Sicily

New Vignette Collection in Sicily

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced its second Vignette Collection property in Italy, featuring a sea-view hotel in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. In collaboration with Blu Lava Resorts (the Owner) and Panoram Hotels (the Management Company), the Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, part of the Vignette Collection, aims to offer guests a unique experience in a memorable destination upon its opening later this year.

The 43-room Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, part of the Vignette Collection, is the second property announced in Italy, but it will be the first to open. It will be ahead of Hotel Alexandra, another Vignette Collection location slated to open in 2026. This retreat is also the newest addition to IHG’s expanding luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Italy, complementing the eight hotels already in operation and another eight under development.

The Vignette Collection represents the latest expansion of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio. In just three years since its inception, the brand has surpassed the halfway milestone towards achieving 100 open and pipeline hotels within the first decade. There are 17 open and planned properties across Europe, with recent additions, including the first Vignette Collection locations in France, Turkiye, and Spain. New brand launches in the UK with The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection, and in Hungary with Verno House Budapest, Vignette Collection, are also in the UK.

Situated on the island of Sicily, guests at Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection, can discover the island’s distinctive charm—from its sandy beaches to volcanic landscapes and local delicacies. The hotel is just a short walk from various UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Val di Noto region, including the baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica, and Noto, as well as a marina featuring over 800 berths and a wide range of tourism and hospitality offerings.

Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, part of the Vignette Collection, will include a private beach club providing direct access to the Mediterranean's sandy shores and pristine waters. Guests will also enjoy a selection of two distinct swimming pools, a bar, and an all-day dining restaurant, establishing it as the perfect getaway for visitors to the island.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Sicily, with its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exquisite cuisine, offers the ideal setting for our second Vignette Collection property in Italy. Our growth strategy in the market centres on expanding our presence within the luxury and lifestyle segment, while ensuring exceptional stays and memorable experiences for our guests. The signing of Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection perfectly aligns with this vision.

This is our first collaboration with Blu Lava Resorts, marking the beginning of a long and exciting partnership dedicated to creating a one-of-a-kind destination in one of the world’s most iconic locations. Together, we look forward to offering guests an authentic travel experience as they are immersed in the hotel's distinctive character, stunning surroundings, and local charm when Costa Irminia Retreat & Spa, Vignette Collection opens its doors in the second half of 2025."

In August 2021, IHG introduced the Vignette Collection, which provides an alternative price point to the upscale voco brand and complements its existing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. It attracts owners of prestigious independent luxury and lifestyle hotels who want to leverage IHG’s advanced technology, revenue systems, operational know-how, and loyalty programs without incurring significant upfront costs or sacrificing their property’s distinctive character, style, or name.

The Vignette Collection is IHG’s first collection brand, showcasing a curated selection of unique hotels that embody diversity and discovery. It merges each property’s identity with the brand’s commitment to ‘A Means For Good’ and Memorable Rituals. This brand provides a compelling opportunity for owners of distinctive hotels to leverage IHG’s extensive enterprise offerings and global reach.

Nadia Perna, Owner, Blu Lava Resorts, said: “IHG Hotels & Resorts’ growing reputation for crafting unparalleled luxury destinations, both in Italy and globally, is the key reason we chose them as partners for this hotel. With their trusted reputation, underpinned by their leading commercial offering and powerful enterprise, we are proud to introduce the Vignette Collection to Sicily—an exceptional brand in an extraordinary location.

We are confident that the Vignette Collection brand will elevate the existing hotel offer in Sicily, and provide an unforgettable experience that captures the heart and soul of Italy.”

Guillermo Pérez Palacios, CEO of Panoram Hotel Management, stated:“Managing this hotel represents a further step in Panoram’s expansion in Italy, a market with great potential for the development of our business model, multi-brand hotel management. Our goal is to build a platform of around twenty establishments in the coming years. Italy offers great opportunities thanks to the increasing interest from major hotel groups to grow in the country.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 30 hotels in Italy, representing seven brands: InterContinental, Six Senses, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. Additionally, there are 12 more properties planned for future development.