IHG is strengthening its Luxury & Lifestyle presence in Saudi Arabia as demand grows for distinctive, locally-relevant stays
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 29 June 2026: IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to introduce all six of its Luxury & Lifestyle brands into Saudi Arabia by 2028, with hotels for each brand either already open or in the pipeline, reinforcing the Kingdom as one of the company’s most important global growth markets and supporting Vision 2030.
IHG’s journey in Saudi Arabia began in 1975 with the opening of InterContinental Riyadh. Five decades on, the Kingdom has become one of the Group’s most significant markets globally, with a strong portfolio of open hotels and one of IHG’s most important pipelines worldwide.
As Saudi Arabia continues to transform its tourism landscape and work towards its ambition of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030, IHG is expanding with intent across Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites. This breadth gives IHG a clear competitive advantage in serving the full spectrum of travel demand, from domestic, religious and business travel to leisure, luxury and lifestyle-led stays, while giving owners access to globally recognised brands, powerful commercial systems and deep operational expertise.
Within that broader growth story, Luxury & Lifestyle is emerging as a strategic driver of IHG’s expansion in the Kingdom. By 2028, IHG is set to grow its Luxury & Lifestyle presence in Saudi Arabia to six brands, reflecting rising appetite for distinctive, design-led and culturally relevant hospitality experiences. This momentum reflects the confidence owners continue to place in IHG’s brands, commercial platforms and long-term commitment to the Kingdom.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most exciting hospitality markets and one of the most strategically important for IHG. We are not simply growing our footprint; we are helping shape the future of hospitality in the Kingdom. As traveller expectations evolve, there is increasing demand for distinctive luxury experiences with authentic local character. Our ambition is to bring every one of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle brands to Saudi Arabia, working alongside visionary owners and partners to create destinations that will define the next generation of travel.”
The recent opening of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marked the debut of the Kimpton brand in the Middle East, bringing one of IHG’s most distinctive lifestyle brands to the Kingdom at a time when demand is rising for more experience-led luxury in gateway cities.
Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added: “Our growth in Saudi Arabia is intentional, ambitious and closely aligned with the Kingdom’s future. Luxury & Lifestyle is becoming a defining part of that journey, as guests increasingly seek design-led, culturally connected and memorable experiences. With 48 open hotels and 62 in the pipeline, we are proud to build on our 50-year legacy while creating lasting value for owners, guests, colleagues and communities.”
IHG is continuing to build its portfolio through brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Regent, Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea opened in December 2023, with Six Senses Amaala expected to open in 2026 and Six Senses AlUla scheduled to open in 2027. Regent Jeddah Corniche is also due to open in 2027, marking the brand’s debut in the Kingdom and becoming the first Regent in the region, while Hotel Indigo & Residences Al Khobar is expected to open in 2028, marking the debut of Hotel Indigo in Saudi Arabia. Together, these openings reflect a deliberate strategy to introduce globally respected brands in destinations where luxury demand, cultural relevance and long-term tourism development are converging.
This commitment is further reinforced through IHG’s dedicated Riyadh office, established in 2023 to strengthen owner relationships, support hotel performance and work alongside public and private sector partners.
With IHG’s every Luxury & Lifestyle brand expected to enter the Kingdom by 2028, the company is well positioned to support Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
