From Paris To Perth: IHG Celebrates A Milestone Moment- A Million Rooms Worldwide

Forbes

2 hours ago

In 1777, William Bass opened a brewery in the English town of Burton upon Trent—probably never guessing it would, centuries later, have anything to do with hotels. Yet that modest start became the first chapter in a story that would eventually span continents. The business moved beyond beer, picking up hospitality brands along the way, and in 1988 made a pivotal leap with the purchase of Holiday Inn. By 2003, a corporate split created InterContinental Hotels Group, the parent company we know today. Since then, IHG has quietly but steadily expanded into more than 100 countries. And this year? It hit a milestone that even Bass himself might have paused to raise a glass to: the opening of its one-millionth guest room.
Malthouses, Bass Old Brewery, Friars' Walk, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, 1960-1974. Artist Eileen Deste. Getty Images
'Reaching one million rooms reflects the deep trust and confidence our guests, owners and investors place in IHG and our brands,' said Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts. 'But more than that, it's a celebration of our colleagues, who help millions of guests live their best lives every single day… If it matters in life, it happens in our hotels.'
Elie Maalouf, chief executive officer of Intercontinental Hotels Group, during a Bloomberg Television interview in London, UK, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. © 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP
In the first half of 2025 alone, IHG opened more than 207 hotels, adding over 31,000 rooms—the biggest six-month growth spurt in the company's history. The milestone wasn't tied to one single property but rather the combined momentum of openings worldwide, from the Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa in Todos Santos, Mexico, to the Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo in Japan, voco Malta, and Hotel Indigo Hainan Clear Water Bay in China.
THe latest opening for IHG is the Kimpton Mas Olas Resort and Spa. IHG
Today, IHG sits among the five largest hotel groups in the world, with more than 6,600 properties under its umbrella—sharing the stage with giants like Hilton Worldwide, Jin Jiang International, and H World. Marriott International still leads as the largest hospitality brand in the world with over 1.6 million rooms globally.
A big part of IHG's staying power comes from IHG One Rewards, its global loyalty program linking all 20 of its brands. Members rack up points not only for stays, but for dining and partner experiences—redeemable for everything from room upgrades to those 'tell-me-again-how-you-scored-this?' moments. This year, it's offering something close to my heart: a 'grand slam' at one of my favorite events, the US Open Tennis Championships. Guests can get VIP access and even vie for the coveted 'Bed on the Baseline' courtside breakfast. And, with a partnership worth toasting, Moët & Chandon will be pouring its signature Watermelon Slice cocktail in a collectable cup at the IHG Racquet Bar and select New York hotels—a nice symmetry for a company whose beginnings were, quite literally, brewed.
In addition, IHG is expanding the celebration through its 'One in a Million Moments' marketing campaign, highlighting memorable IHG rewards members stays and the stories that give those million rooms their meaning.
Six Senses Resort, Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, Asia. Waiter with a candles in the restaurant near the swimming pool called The Hilltop Reserve in front of the sea. Six Senses Yao Noi sets the highest benchmark for island resort living in Asia. (Photo by: Sergi Reboredo/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The portfolio covers nearly every travel mood: ultra-luxury escapes such as Six Senses, Regent, and InterContinental; style-forward lifestyle names like Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, voco, Vignette Collection, and HUALUXE; upscale brands including Crowne Plaza, EVEN Hotels, and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts; and the ever-familiar Holiday Inn family. For longer stays, there's Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, and avid hotels and Atwell Suites that cater to more value-driven travelers.
Voco Dubai, an IHG Hotel getty
With travel demand surging and guest expectations constantly shifting, IHG's one-million-room moment feels less like a finish line and more like a mile marker.