IHG Expands Premium Footprint in Central Europe

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

IHG is expanding its premium footprint in Central Europe—and it’s doing it in bold style. The global hotel leader has announced the launch of Crowne Plaza Katowice, a move set to redefine business travel in one of Poland’s fastest-growing urban hubs. Scheduled to open by 2026, this isn’t just another hotel—it’s a statement of ambition.

Crowne Plaza Katowice promises to blend innovation, premium service, and seamless work-leisure travel in a city that’s rapidly transforming into a Central European powerhouse. IHG’s premium footprint in Katowice signals a sharp focus on tomorrow’s traveler—someone who demands both performance and comfort.

Meanwhile, the decision to enter Poland’s fastest-growing business city marks a turning point for the brand in Central Europe. What makes Katowice so strategic for IHG? Why is business travel the focus? And how will Crowne Plaza Katowice reshape hospitality in the region by 2026? The answers may surprise—and excite—you.

A New Standard for Business Travel Is Taking Shape in Poland

IHG Hotels & Resorts has set the stage for a transformative leap in Poland’s hospitality sector. With the signing of Crowne Plaza Katowice, a new premium hotel experience is heading straight to one of Central Europe’s most rapidly developing cities.

Expected to open in 2026, this 178-room property will be the second Crowne Plaza in Poland and joins IHG’s growing portfolio of premium brands across the country. Positioned along the strategic Katowice Central Highway and steps from the largest shopping mall in Silesia, the hotel promises to cater to a dynamic blend of business and leisure travellers.

This move is not just about rooms—it’s about relevance. It marks a bold response to a shifting travel landscape where blended travel is the new norm.

Blended Travel Takes Center Stage

Crowne Plaza has long positioned itself as a frontrunner in the business travel segment. But this new property in Katowice is designed with the modern traveler in mind—one who seamlessly toggles between conference calls and cultural experiences.

Multifunctional guest rooms, tech-enabled meeting areas, and thoughtfully designed public spaces will enable guests to switch between work and relaxation effortlessly. Whether arriving for a multinational summit or a long-weekend escape, every detail will reflect flexibility, functionality, and finesse.

Meanwhile, IHG’s investment in guest-facing programs and refreshed brand identity ensures that every Crowne Plaza stay feels current, connected, and culturally immersive.

Katowice’s Rise as a European Meetings Magnet

Katowice isn’t just another Polish city—it’s a powerhouse on the rise. With deep industrial roots now modernized through tech, culture, and sustainability, the city is becoming a magnet for international events.

The hotel’s location—just minutes from the Katowice International Congress Centre and iconic Spodek arena—puts it squarely in the path of Europe’s growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) circuit.

Moreover, with seamless public transit access and proximity to major business parks, Crowne Plaza Katowice is poised to become the go-to venue for high-profile conferences, executive retreats, and global product launches.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Success

This development is a result of strategic collaboration between IHG, DL Invest as the landlord, and Hotel & More as the tenant and franchisee. Together, they bring global branding, local real estate expertise, and operational excellence to the project.

The partnership represents more than construction—it’s a long-term commitment to elevate Katowice’s status on the global hospitality map.

As demand for sophisticated, purpose-driven travel experiences grows across Central and Eastern Europe, this collaboration will set a new standard for premium hospitality in the region.

Poland’s Premium Hotel Pipeline Gains Momentum

The launch of Crowne Plaza Katowice is not an isolated event. It’s part of IHG’s broader growth strategy in Poland, where the brand already operates 14 hotels with 17 more in the pipeline across five key brands—InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express.

This expansion speaks volumes about investor confidence and market readiness.

With Poland emerging as a gateway between Western Europe and the Baltics, and with cities like Katowice leading innovation and sustainability agendas, the demand for high-quality, globally aligned hotel brands has never been higher.

Impact on Regional Tourism and Business Ecosystems

The arrival of Crowne Plaza Katowice will have a ripple effect on the city’s tourism and business sectors.

For international travelers, the hotel offers a trusted premium brand in a location that blends corporate efficiency with cultural depth. For local businesses, it brings opportunities—from employment to vendor partnerships and event hosting.

This development also complements Katowice’s transformation into a smart city, aligning with its goals of attracting global talent, tech startups, and major events.

Hospitality Trends Reinforce the Strategy

Post-pandemic trends in global travel show a clear shift. Travelers now want seamless transitions between work and personal time. Hotel spaces must double as offices, retreats, and cultural touchpoints.

Crowne Plaza’s future-facing design philosophy directly answers this call. Flexible workspaces, quiet zones, healthy dining, and interactive social areas aren’t extras—they’re expectations.

By infusing these elements into the heart of Katowice’s business district, IHG is future-proofing the guest experience and setting benchmarks competitors will be pressed to follow.

Final Touchdown: A Future Icon in the Making

With its bold architecture, strategic location, and smart guest experience, Crowne Plaza Katowice is not just another hotel—it’s a future icon.

It will define what premium travel looks like in post-industrial Europe. It will serve digital nomads, corporate leaders, and event organizers with equal ease. And it will elevate Poland’s standing as a destination that merges modernity with heritage.

When doors open in 2026, this won’t be just a new hotel in Katowice. It will be a signal to the world that the city, and Poland, are ready for the global stage.