A 21st luxury and lifestyle property in Spain
IHG Hotels & Resorts is continuing to strengthen its luxury and lifestyle segment in Spain with the signing of San Bernardo, Vignette Collection, in Madrid. Announced from London on 29 September 2026, the project brings the group’s open and pipeline properties in this segment in the country to 21.
The hotel will have 67 rooms and is scheduled to open in March 2028. It extends a series of signings for the brand in Spain, following Finca Banyols, Vignette Collection, in Mallorca, the brand’s first address in the country, then Casa del Compositor, Vignette Collection, in Jerez, and Hacienda de la Vega, Vignette Collection, in Carmona.
Spain, a priority market for IHG in Europe
IHG ranks Spain among its priority growth markets in Europe. The group is building on the country’s status as one of the most visited destinations in the world, and on sustained investor confidence in its hotel sector.
IHG‘s Spanish portfolio now spans ten brands across the luxury and lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites segments. The group continues to expand in the most sought-after destinations, including Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Málaga and Marbella. The same momentum is visible in select-service, with the recent launch of Selecto, a Holiday Inn Express platform backed by Tikehau Capital and Quest Capital.
A converted heritage office building
Located on Calle de San Bernardo in central Madrid, the project involves transforming a partially protected heritage office building into a luxury hotel. The refurbishment will preserve the building’s main architectural features while introducing contemporary interior design.
The hotel will feature an inner courtyard, an all-day restaurant, a lounge bar and a fitness area. IHG describes the signing as a strengthening of its presence in one of Spain’s main gateway markets.
Owner, franchisee and adviser line-up
The asset is owned by San Bernardo 19 S.L. The hotel will be operated by Hotel Collection International, one of IHG‘s largest franchisees in Spain. Catella, a Spanish real estate advisory and investment management firm, supported the transaction with its knowledge of the local market.
Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said that Madrid was one of the most dynamic luxury hotel markets in Europe and that the signing gave the group an exceptional opportunity to grow Vignette Collection in the heart of the city. She added that the combination of a characterful heritage building, an outstanding location close to Gran Vía and an experienced operator brought together all the ingredients of a truly distinctive hotel, in one of IHG’s most promising key markets in Europe.
She went on to say that Vignette Collection resonates strongly with owners who wish to preserve what makes their hotels unique while benefiting from IHG’s scale, systems and global reach, and that the group was delighted to partner with San Bernardo 19 S.L., Hotel Collection International and Catella to bring this vision to life.
Vignette Collection, a driver of upscale conversions
Vignette Collection is IHG’s luxury conversion brand. It brings together distinctive city and resort properties that retain their own identity and history. The brand draws on shared signatures, “Memorable Rituals” and “A Means for Good”, designed to root the guest experience in the culture of each destination.
Since its launch in 2021, the collection has grown rapidly by allowing owners to keep their hotel’s name and character while gaining access to IHG’s systems, distribution and the IHG One Rewards loyalty programme. According to IHG, the brand has already passed the halfway mark of its initial target of 100 hotels within ten years of launch.
Sustained momentum in Europe
In Europe, Vignette Collection made its debut with Casa da Companhia in Porto. The brand has since expanded into the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, France, Türkiye and Spain. Recent additions include Canary Riverside Plaza in London and Esperança Hotel in Braga.
This growth is part of the group’s European strategy, in which conversions accounted for 84% of IHG’s openings and 61% of its signings in 2025.
Our analysis – In Madrid, the collection-brand segment is becoming increasingly crowded: Hilton recently signed Casa Verbena Madrid, the first Outset Collection by Hilton in Europe, a few streets from Gran Vía.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
IHG signs San Bernardo, Vignette Collection in Madrid
67-room luxury conversion of a partially protected heritage office building on Calle de San Bernardo, near Gran Vía
Opening expected March 2028
Owner: San Bernardo 19 S.L. – Operator: Hotel Collection International (IHG franchisee) – Adviser: Catella
Brings IHG’s open and pipeline Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Spain to 21 properties
Vignette Collection has passed the halfway mark toward its 100-hotel, ten-year target
