Dublin's Four Seasons Hotel is to be rebranded as the InterContinental Dublin from the start of next month.
The change comes after the hotel's owner, London & Regional (L&R), signed a franchise deal with the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The IHG portfolio also includes Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.
Robert Shepherd, IHG's chief development officer for Europe, told Hospitality Ireland in the Four Seasons itself yesterday, "Dublin has been, for a long time a key, target city for the Intercontinental brand; but the economy here – going back to the burst of the bubble in 2008 – has been challenging. Now is the time for a rebranding, because we've seen the momentum swing in the opposite direction.
"We're well-aware of the Dublin and Ireland tourism figures; furthermore, multinationals are relocating here again, real estate values are on-the-up, and hotel performance is increasing as well. Rates and occupancy are rising now.
"We are very confident in our decision to bring the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand here. It is the world's largest luxury brand, and is still growing: not only have we got 178 properties globally, but we've also got the largest pipeline – 54 [hotels] I believe – including this one. To have that kind of growth in our flagship luxury brand – and to bring it to Dublin – is really exciting."
The InterContinental Dublin will operate under a franchise agreement with Ballsbridge Hotel Limited, an arm of London & Regional Properties.
Following the announcement about the Four Seasons name change, The Irish Times has reported that IHG wants to bring the Hotel Indigo boutique hotel brand to Dublin.
