IHG Hotels and Resorts has opened voco Queenstown, completing the repositioning of the former Holiday Inn Express and Suites Queenstown into its premium upscale voco brand.
The hotel has 227 rooms and sits in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s busiest tourism hubs. IHG said the opening marks a new chapter for the property as it expands the group’s voco footprint in the region.
The launch follows work by developer, owner and asset manager Pro-invest Group and operator Connect Hospitality, which worked with IHG on the conversion.
voco is one of IHG’s fastest growing brands and is positioned above the group’s midscale hotels. The brand targets travellers looking for an upscale stay with a more distinctive, residential feel than a standard business hotel.
The Queenstown opening adds to IHG’s growing New Zealand portfolio and gives the company another foothold in a market that has recovered strongly as international travel returns. Queenstown, known for its alpine scenery and adventure tourism, remains a key destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.
The repositioning of the property means the hotel now operates under voco standards, including the brand’s signature approach to design and guest experience. IHG did not disclose the cost of the conversion.
For the local market, the opening increases premium room supply in a town where accommodation demand can peak sharply during ski season and the summer holiday period. It also reflects continued investment in hotel upgrades across major leisure destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Pro-invest Group and Connect Hospitality have been active in hotel ownership and operations across the region, often working with international brands to refresh existing assets rather than build entirely new properties. Such conversions can bring hotels into a higher segment more quickly than new developments.
IHG has been expanding voco internationally as it looks to grow its presence in the upper-upscale market. The company says the brand appeals to owners because of its flexible operating model and to guests because of its informal but premium positioning.
With the Queenstown opening now complete, the hotel joins voco’s global network of converted and newly branded properties. The move strengthens IHG’s position in one of the southern hemisphere’s most competitive tourism markets.
