Bits: IHG signs three 5-star European ‘Vignette’ hotels, voco Times Square and W Rome open

News in brief:

IHG’s new ‘Vignette’ chain signs three 5-star European hotels

‘Vignette’ is IHG’s newest hotel brand. As we covered here, Vignette is IHG’s version of Hilton’s Curio, Marriott’s Autograph or Hyatt’s Unbound Collection.

Here’s the logo:

Vignette – and Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott’s own versions of Vignette – all target upmarket hotels which want to remain independent but wish to become part of a ‘marketing system’. In return for IHG funnelling them bookings via ihg.com, the hotels agree to join IHG Rewards and to honour member benefits.

The hotels keep their existing branding and the senior hotel management will not become IHG employees.

The first Vignette hotel is now open. Hotel X is in the centre of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, Australia. To quote:

“Hotel X’s distinctive design and luxurious facilities celebrate this iconic Brisbane neighbourhood through ultra-cool art, Avant Garde lighting and exceptional views of the cityscape.”

More useful for HfP readers are three Vignette hotels which have just been announced in Europe. These are:

• Grand Hotel Wien, Vienna, Austria (currently ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, image below)

• Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, Algarve, Portugal

• Dona Filipa Hotel, Algarve, Portugal (a beach hotel)

These hotels are all owned by the same company.

This is an impressive group of five star hotels and augurs well for the future of the ‘Vignette’ brand. They will transition to IHG during 2022 and will then be bookable for IHG Rewards points.

voco Times Square South now open

Talking of IHG openings, the chain has just opened voco Times Square South in New York. It is on West 36th Street, between Hell’s Kitchen and the Garment District. Proximity to the new Hudson Yards development appears to be a key selling point.

Voco is IHG’s ‘soft’ conversion brand, aimed at hotel owners who want to run an upscale property but either cannot, or do not want to, meet the list of ‘brand standards’ required to be a Crowne Plaza etc.

voco Times Square South was previously a DoubleTree. The hotel has been fully refurbished, however, and boasts a “greenhouse and outdoor terrace” along with 224 rooms rooms – see the image below. The photos on the website also look impressive.

The hotel website is here. As part of IHG Rewards, you can earn and redeem points when you stay here. It is worth considering for your next stay, if only because a newly refurbished property is always preferable to a worn one.

Marriott opens W Rome

W Rome was one of the hotels we featured in our ‘top 10 new Marriott hotels for 2021’ list in December 2020.

It was due to open in Spring 2021 but, all things considered, we’ll let them off.

This 162 room hotel is now open. It is situated near the Spanish Steps and the boutiques of Via Condotti, based in two converted 19th century properties.

Food and drink is from Michelin-starred chef Ciccio Sultano. W Rome has a rooftop bar with views of Rome and an outdoor gym area.

To quote:

“An eclectic mix of colourful leather furniture meets stone walls representative of the building’s past, whilst reflective surfaces add a modern, contemporary touch. Boundaries are blurred between public and private spaces as surprises reveal themselves throughout the guest experience – including a hidden door in the bathroom leading to the intimate Parlapiano, a secret garden inspired by one of Borromini’s churches featuring traditional Italian stone complete with kissing benches, lush foliage, topiary and water fountains.

Guests are welcomed into the hotel via the W Lounge which features a stunning skylight and patterned glass window allowing light to flood through the bright and airy open space. Eclectic seating areas are surrounded by elegant sculptures and pieces of art, while black and grey marble flooring run throughout. A head-turning hand-painted mural wraps the walls that look onto chic reflective stainless steel Welcome Desk pods. Painted by Italian artist Costanza Alvarez de Castro, the mural is inspired by Roman gardens and invites discovery by telling the story of the destination’s stunning geography.

The 147 stylish guestrooms and 15 suites provide a city apartment feel with many offering private balconies and terraces, a selection of which have iconic views of the city and landmarks such as the Istituto Svizzero. With an open plan living space, the rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped in red wine velvet curtains and wooden herringbone patterned floors that blur into modern marble bathrooms. Fuelled by Rome’s past, present and future, the compelling interiors inject striking color blocks and bold graphic prints of burnt orange, dramatic red and foliage greens into the buildings’ authentic and unmistakable charm.”

We can hopefully take a look at the hotel next year.

In the meantime, you can find out more, and book, on the hotel website here.