InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and international investment group, Pro-Invest have signed a franchise agreement that will see Brisbane receive its first Holiday Inn Express branded hotel. 

Situated in the suburb of Spring Hill and in close proximity to the Brisbane CBD, the 226-room hotel is designed to cater to mid-week corporate visitors as well as those travelling for leisure.

“The development of the new Holiday Inn Express in Brisbane is a significant milestone for IHG as it marks our return to the city with the entry of our largest and one of our fastest growing brands into the market,” said Matthew Tripolone, the head of development, Australasia at IHG.

“As the third most populous city in Australia, Brisbane has immense growth potential as it sees steady increase in the number of domestic and international travellers.”

Pro-Invest Group CEO Ronald Barrott, who has worked with IHG to bring Holiday Inn Express hotels to nations across the world, said the company see’s a lot of potential for the brand in Australia.

“With the construction of our Macquarie Park property commencing in the coming weeks and this second property now signed, we are on track to developing the 15 hotels under our partnership as we actively scour the country for strategic locations to expand the presence of Holiday Inn Express,” he explained.   

Key features of the new hotel include two meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, on-site parking spaces and a breakfast area known as The Great Room.

The Brisbane hotel will be Australia’s third Holiday Inn Express property, and the second site in the portfolio of 15 Holiday Inn Express branded hotels Pro Invest is developing under a $150 million fund.

The first hotel in the portfolio will open at Macquarie Park in North Ryde, Sydney next year.