IHG and Watercress Hotel International to Open Crowne Plaza in Ikeja’s Commercial Heart by Early 2028
(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise deal with Watercress Hotel International to launch Crowne Plaza Lagos Ikeja—its first Crowne Plaza in Nigeria—set to open in Q1 2028. Operated by Valor Hospitality Partners, the 119-room hotel occupies a prime location in Ikeja, close to the international airport, government offices, shopping and cultural sites. Key amenities include the flexible Plaza Workspace and multifunctional WorkLife Rooms designed for today’s business travellers. Executives Haitham Mattar and Samuel Ayinde emphasise Lagos’s significance as a commercial hub and the project’s alignment with IHG’s African growth strategy. Olayiwola Matthew of HeroPlus Hospitality Consulting advised on the development process.
(PRESS RELEASE) LAGOS, Nigeria, 2025-Jun-25 — /Travel PR News/ — IHG Hotels & Resorts has entered a franchise agreement with Watercress Hotel International Limited to introduce its upscale Crowne Plaza brand to Lagos, Nigeria, with Crowne Plaza Lagos Ikeja slated to welcome guests in Q1 2028. Valor Hospitality Partners—an IHG collaborator renowned for comprehensive hotel management—will oversee operations. This signing underscores IHG’s strategic push into Africa’s most dynamic markets.
Nestled in the heart of Ikeja—Lagos’s administrative, aviation and commercial nucleus—the 119-room property enjoys immediate proximity to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Alausa government secretariat, Ikeja City Mall, major corporate headquarters and diplomatic missions. Guests can also explore nearby cultural landmarks such as the Nike Art Gallery, or unwind at coastal getaways like Tarkwa Bay and Elegushi Beach, blending business convenience with leisure appeal.
Crowne Plaza Lagos Ikeja will feature the brand’s hallmark Plaza Workspace: a flexible, design-driven hub tailored for collaboration and informal gatherings. Its innovative WorkLife Rooms seamlessly transition from productive work environments to restful retreats, catering to the modern business traveller’s dual needs.
“Lagos is a powerhouse of commerce and culture in Africa, making it a natural fit for Crowne Plaza’s next chapter,” said Haitham Mattar, Managing Director for IHG in India, Middle East & Africa. “This project reinforces our commitment to long-term growth in key regional hubs.”
Samuel Ayinde, Executive Director of Watercress Hotel International, added, “Collaborating with IHG enables us to set a new standard of hospitality in Lagos. Our goal is to create a landmark hotel that captures the city’s vibrant spirit while delivering the globally recognised quality Crowne Plaza guests expect.”
Upon opening, Crowne Plaza Lagos Ikeja will join over 400 Crowne Plaza properties worldwide, offering contemporary design and a guest-centric ethos that balances work and relaxation. The development was guided by Olayiwola Matthew of HeroPlus Hospitality Consulting, who provided expertise in brand selection, market analysis and operator negotiations throughout the transaction.
Media contact:
Ankita Chopra
Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
ankita.chopra@ihg.com
+971 4 213 6502
Reem Youssef
Executive, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
reem.youssef2@ihg.com
+971 4 213 6079
SOURCE: InterContinental Hotels Group
