IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed franchise agreements for three new Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, adding 653 rooms across Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona.
The projects mark the beginning of a strategic partnership with global alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital and represent the largest single partnership signing for the Holiday Inn Express brand in Spain to date.
The three new-build hotels form the first developments under Selecto, a new select service hotel platform created by Tikehau Capital with operating partner Quest Capital. The properties are expected to open between 2028 and 2029, strengthening IHG’s presence in one of Europe’s fastest growing tourism markets.
The agreements reinforce IHG’s strategy to expand its Essentials portfolio across Spain and the wider Iberian Peninsula. The company currently operates more than 20 Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, with four additional properties already in the pipeline, while its wider European portfolio includes more than 340 open and pipeline hotels.
Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Julián Camarillo
The largest of the three projects will be Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Julián Camarillo, a 244-room hotel in the city’s growing MadBit technology and business district. Positioned between central Madrid and Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport, the hotel will become the largest Holiday Inn Express property in the Iberian Peninsula when it opens in the first quarter of 2028.
The Madrid hotel will showcase the brand’s latest fifth generation design concept and include an outdoor swimming pool and fitness area. Its location near IFEMA, Madrid’s main exhibition and congress centre, as well as the city’s future Formula 1 circuit, is expected to attract both business travellers and leisure visitors looking for value accommodation.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Málaga – Palacio de Congresos
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Málaga – Palacio de Congresos will feature 259 rooms, including 52 suites, making it one of the brand’s largest hotels in southern Spain. Located between Málaga Airport and the city centre next to the FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Centre, the hotel will also include an outdoor pool, sun deck, fitness facilities and the latest Generation 5 public spaces.
Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2029, the property will become IHG’s third hotel in Málaga, joining the existing Holiday Inn Express Málaga Airport and Staybridge Suites. The new hotel is expected to serve both business travellers attending exhibitions and conferences and leisure visitors exploring the Costa del Sol.
Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – Fira
Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – Fira will offer 150 rooms next to Fira de Barcelona, one of Europe’s largest exhibition and convention centres. Located between Barcelona El Prat Airport and the city centre, the hotel is expected to complement IHG’s growing portfolio across the Barcelona metropolitan area when it opens in early 2029.
Once completed, it will become IHG’s 12th hotel across the wider Barcelona area, including open and pipeline properties. The company expects the hotel to strengthen its presence in one of Europe’s busiest destinations for both tourism and international events.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Spain is an important growth market in Europe, and these three signings represent a major step forward in our strategy to expand Holiday Inn Express and grow our Essentials brands in the country. Partnering with Tikehau Capital, one of Europe’s most respected alternative asset managers, gives us a strong platform to accelerate our growth in key Spanish cities. With over 20 Holiday Inn Express hotels already open in Spain, we see significant runway to bring this trusted brand to even more travellers across the Iberian Peninsula.”
Spain continues to be one of Europe’s strongest tourism destinations. Barcelona welcomed 16 million visitors in 2025, while Málaga province recorded more than 6.25 million tourists and 22.1 million overnight stays. Madrid’s airport submarket has also experienced record demand from both corporate and leisure travellers, creating favourable conditions for continued hotel investment.
Holiday Inn Express Continues Global Growth
The new Spanish developments also underline the rapid expansion of the Holiday Inn Express brand worldwide. The brand currently has 3,304 hotels in operation and a further 666 in the development pipeline, making it IHG’s fastest growing Essentials brand.
Holiday Inn Express focuses on simple and efficient travel, serving both business and leisure guests with modern accommodation and complimentary hot breakfast included with every stay. Through its partnership with the Selecto platform, IHG aims to build a broader portfolio of Holiday Inn Express hotels across Iberia, with additional hotel signings expected in the coming months.
