IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed franchise agreements for three new Holiday Inn Express hotels in Spain, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership with alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital and adding 653 rooms across Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona.
The hotels are the first projects to be announced under Selecto, a new select-service hotel platform established by Tikehau Capital in partnership with operating partner Quest Capital. The companies plan to develop additional Holiday Inn Express properties across the Iberian Peninsula in the coming years.
Largest Holiday Inn Express Partnership in Spain
The three hotel agreements represent the largest single partnership signing for the Holiday Inn Express brand in Spain to date. IHG currently operates more than 20 Holiday Inn Express hotels across the country, with four additional properties already in the pipeline.
Across Europe, the company has more than 340 open and pipeline hotels under the Holiday Inn Express brand.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President of Development for Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said Spain remains one of the company’s most important growth markets and that the partnership with Tikehau Capital will accelerate expansion in key cities across the country.
Largest Holiday Inn Express in Iberia Planned for Madrid
The flagship project, Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Julián Camarillo, will feature 244 guestrooms and become the largest Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Iberian Peninsula.
Located in Madrid’s rapidly growing MadBit technology and business district, the hotel will incorporate the brand’s latest Generation 5 design concept, together with an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. It is expected to open during the first quarter of 2028.
The property will benefit from its proximity to IFEMA Madrid, the city’s major exhibition and convention centre, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport and the future Formula 1 circuit planned for the Spanish capital.
Málaga and Barcelona Hotels to Open in 2029
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Málaga – Palacio de Congresos will offer 259 guestrooms, including 52 suites, and will be located between Málaga Airport and the city centre next to the FYCMA Trade Fair and Congress Centre.
Scheduled to open during the first quarter of 2029, the hotel will include an outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, fitness area and the latest Generation 5 public spaces. It will become IHG’s third property in Málaga alongside Holiday Inn Express Málaga Airport and Staybridge Suites.
The third property, Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – Fira, will feature 150 guestrooms and open in the first quarter of 2029. Located adjacent to Fira de Barcelona, one of Europe’s largest exhibition venues, the hotel will provide convenient access to both Barcelona city centre and Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
The addition will increase IHG’s presence across the wider Barcelona metropolitan area to 12 open and pipeline hotels.
Growing Demand Supports Expansion
IHG said the expansion reflects continued strength in Spain’s tourism sector. Barcelona welcomed approximately 16 million visitors in 2025, while Málaga province recorded more than 6.25 million tourists and 22.1 million overnight stays. Madrid’s airport market has also experienced strong growth driven by both business and leisure travel.
Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s fastest-growing Essentials brand, with 3,304 hotels currently operating worldwide and a further 666 properties in the global development pipeline.
