IHG Hotels & Resorts announced on March 17 that its midscale conversion brand, Garner Hotels, has officially opened 100 properties worldwide. Launched in August 2023, the brand has become the fastest-scaling global entity in the corporation’s history, capitalizing on a broader shift toward cost-effective hotel conversions.
The brand currently maintains a pipeline of nearly 80 additional hotels, a trajectory projected to nearly double its operational footprint across 12 countries. The rapid expansion spans major markets including the United States, Mexico, Italy, and Japan, reflecting a deliberate corporate strategy to capture existing independent properties rather than relying solely on new construction.
The Economics Of The Conversion Boom
The aggressive rollout of Garner properties underscores a macro trend within the hospitality industry, driven by elevated construction costs and tightening lending environments for ground-up developments. By early 2025, conversions accounted for 52 percent of all IHG global room openings. Garner’s specific financial model—featuring a lower cost-per-key entry point than the flagship Holiday Inn Express and streamlined design standards—has enabled some property owners to finalize conversions and open to the public in just over a month.
Karen Gilbride, Global Vice President for Garner Hotels, stated that the 100-property milestone “highlights IHG’s strength in scaling conversion-focused brands that resonate with both owners and guests.” Gilbride added that the brand is “only beginning to unlock its full growth potential.”
European Consolidation And Asian Expansion
The brand’s volume in Europe was heavily accelerated by a 2024 strategic partnership with NOVUM Hospitality. That agreement transitioned an eventual 56 open and pipeline properties in Germany, formerly operating under independent names such as The Niu and Yggotel, into the Garner portfolio. Consequently, Garner led all IHG brands in the Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa (EMEAA) region with 43 openings in 2025. In the Americas, the brand logged 32 signings and 23 openings during the same period, including its debut in Mexico.
Recent data indicates a pivot toward aggressive Asian market penetration. Garner recently opened its first Southeast Asian property in Pattaya, Thailand, and has secured five newly signed regional hotels in India, establishing a presence in Etawah, Kathua, and Bhiwadi. IHG has confirmed plans to expand the Garner brand into Greater China later in 2026.