Vignette Collection opens first property; signs Europe deal

Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley in Australia has officially opened as the world’s first hotel in IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection. IHG also revealed the debut of the collection in Europe in a multi-property deal with owner group JJW Hotels & Resorts.

As one of Brisbane’s newest 5-star hotels, Hotel X’s name is inspired by “X marks the spot,” a reference to its location in the heart of Fortitude Valley—a leading lifestyle destination in Brisbane. The property has 146 rooms and suites and three meeting spaces, including an open terrace overlooking Brunswick St. F&B locations include Iris, a Mediterranean rooftop bar & restaurant and Bisou Bisou, which offers French cuisine.

Will Yell, VP, luxury and upscale conversion and affiliate brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “Luxury travelers have always placed a high value on experiences. The forced pause in travel has given more people the opportunity to reevaluate their travel priorities and we expect travel choices to be more considered with luxury guests seeking more customized experiences and personal enrichment with community engagement and sustainability at the heart. Luxury meets purpose at Vignette Collection hotels and an integral part of creating an authentic guest experience is the opportunity to engage with the local community in a positive way.”

The partnership with JJW includes Vignette signings in Portugal and Austria, as well as a new property for IHG’s voco hotels brand overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal’s Algarve.

Karin Sheppard, SVP/managing director, Europe, IHG said, “We are delighted to announce our first European Vignette Collection signings through our partnership with JJW Hotels & Resorts. Complementing our existing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Europe, these unique properties will meet the needs of travelers seeking a luxury stay experience, whilst maintaining each hotel’s authentic charm and individuality. The introduction of Vignette Collection follows the successful launch of voco hotels—another of our many conversion-friendly brands—so it’s fitting that we are also working with JJW to build voco’s presence in the popular Algarve region.”

Mohsen MBI Al Jaber, vice chairman, JJW Hotels & Resorts, added, “We’re extremely proud to be partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to announce the first signings of Vignette Collection across IHG’s and JJW’s European portfolios. These unique properties, along with the addition of a new voco hotel, will offer the highest standards of excellence whilst retaining their own distinctive identity. We are also delighted to utilize IHG’s simplified conversion process for both its Vignette Collection and voco hotels brands. We look forward to a successful partnership with IHG to bring these properties to life across Europe.”

The signed properties:

  • Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna, Austria
  • Penina Resort & Golf, Algarve, Portugal
  • Dona Filipa Hotel, Algarve, Portugal
  • voco Algarve, Portugal