The roll out of InterContinental Hotel Group’s (IHG) boutique brand Hotel Indigo is gathering pace in Europe, with the company announcing the signing of the first Hotel Indigo for Barcelona and the second in Birmingham, UK.

IHG’s chief development officer in Europe, Robert Shepherd, said 2012 has been a strong year for Hotel Indigo signings in the region.

“Since introducing the brand to Europe in 2009, we’ve opened nine hotels – seven in the United Kingdom and two in Germany.”

Shepherd added the brand was proving popular with developers in Europe as the flexible approach to design for Hotel Indigo makes it ideal for conversion properties, which are easier to finance than new build properties, and can become operational sooner.

Guests are attracted to the brand because it combines the individuality of a boutique hotel, with the reassurance and reliability of a big hotel company behind it.

Each Hotel Indigo property is uniquely designed to reflect the community, character and history of the surrounding area.

The 77 room Hotel Indigo Barcelona-Plaza Catalunya will be located in the centre of Barcelona, moments away from Paseo de Grasia, one of the city’s major shopping and business areas. 

The hotel will operate under a 22 year franchise agreement with Empresa Casa de Lenguas, S.L.

Hotel Indigo Birmingham-Waterloo Street will be located within the Colmore Business District, the commercial heart of Birmingham, encompassing the Colmore Row conservation area, home to some of the city’s most important landmark buildings.

The 61-room hotel will be managed by Rustic Pine Developments.