IHG Expands Luxury Footprint in Greece with Debuts of The Chania Hotel Crete, Vignette Collection and Kimpton La Mer Crete
(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of two new property contracts in Crete with the Gelasakis Group, marking the arrival of The Chania Hotel Crete, Vignette Collection and Kimpton La Mer Crete. Set to open in 2025 and 2026 respectively, these additions will expand IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Greece to three brands with the debut of InterContinental Crete already in 2024. The Chania Hotel, located in the historic city centre near the port, offers 39 guestrooms, diverse dining options including a rooftop bar, and a wellness centre with a heated plunge pool. Kimpton La Mer Crete, positioned along a prime beachfront between Chania and Rethymno, is designed to deliver an exceptional luxury beach resort experience with 76 guestrooms, dual dining concepts, a cutting‑edge spa, and direct access to Georgioupolis beach.
(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 2025-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to further strengthen its leading luxury and lifestyle footprint in Europe with the introduction of two new properties on the island of Crete—The Chania Hotel Crete, Vignette Collection and Kimpton La Mer Crete. Developed in partnership with the Gelasakis Group, these two brands mark IHG’s debut in Greece under its expanding portfolio of luxury and lifestyle experiences, joining InterContinental Crete, which opened in 2024.
The Chania Hotel Crete, Vignette Collection, located in the heart of Chania near the port and market, will offer a unique blend of high‑end experiences alongside a commitment to responsible travel. This boutique property will feature 39 guestrooms and a variety of food and beverage outlets, including a rooftop bar and an à la carte restaurant. Guests will also enjoy access to a dedicated wellness centre complete with a rooftop heated plunge pool.
Conversely, Kimpton La Mer Crete is set to deliver a world‑class beach resort experience along the picturesque coastline halfway between Chania and Rethymno. With its beachfront location and only a 20‑minute drive from Chania Airport, the hotel will offer 76 guestrooms, two distinct dining options, and a state‑of‑the‑art spa centre featuring a seaside indoor pool. Direct access to the scenic Georgioupolis beach promises to provide guests with an unparalleled luxury experience that captures the essence of Crete.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe at IHG, remarked, “We are delighted to debut two of our luxury and lifestyle brands in Greece alongside our new partners at Gelasakis Group. Chania is emerging as one of the most sought‑after Greek destinations for high‑end travellers, and the addition of Vignette Collection and Kimpton to our existing InterContinental properties and pipeline Six Senses Megalonisos will further cement our luxury portfolio in the country. Our global enterprise systems and our growing consumer demand for exceptional hospitality continue to drive this expansion.”
Antonis Gelasakis, CEO Travel & Hospitality Divisions at Gelasakis Group, added, “With its ancient ruins, blue skies, and never‑ending coastline, Greece remains a top destination. We are excited to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring two of their world‑renowned brands to the country, offering distinct luxury and lifestyle experiences. IHG’s extensive experience and global systems will be key in driving performance and delivering strong returns across both properties.”
IHG’s expansion in Greece now spans five open properties—including InterContinental Crete, Crowne Plaza Athens – City Centre, InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, Holiday Inn Athens – Airport, and Holiday Inn Thessaloniki—as well as two Six Senses resorts currently under development, reinforcing IHG’s commitment to a significant presence in the luxury hospitality market.
Vignette Collection, IHG’s first collection brand, curates a portfolio of unique hotels that combine local identity with IHG’s signature benefits such as the IHG One Rewards program. With more than half of its 10‑year target achieved—currently boasting 20 open hotels and 35 in the pipeline—the brand offers owners the chance to leverage IHG’s robust enterprise solutions while providing guests with memorable, one‑of‑a‑kind experiences.
Inspired by visionary hotelier Bill Kimpton, the Kimpton brand is synonymous with distinctive, design‑forward properties that foster a sense of belonging and exploration. This commitment to exceptional guest experiences is at the core of both new Crete debuts, each promising to deliver its own unique flavor of luxury.
Media contact:
Hinal Patel
hinal.patel2@ihg.com
+44 (0) 7502604210
SOURCE: InterContinental Hotels Group
