IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with DIA SARL to debut IHG’s premium brand, voco, in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
A conversion property, voco Beirut Central District is scheduled to be rebranded by the end of this year, and will add 123 rooms to IHG’s portfolio in Lebanon.
Voco Beirut Central District has easy access to popular attractions including the high-end F&B strip of Zaituna Bay, Beirut Waterfront, and Beirut Souks.
Hani Sheet, chairman of DIA SARL, said, “This partnership aligns with our vision of offering upscale hospitality experiences in Lebanon. [With] the hotel’s prime location combined with outstanding facilities, voco Beirut Central District is set to become a preferred destination for both local and international travellers seeking a premium hotel experience in the heart of Beirut.”
The hotel will also feature an outdoor pool, a spa and a gym. It will also house a business center and a dedicated theater area, as well as four meeting rooms including a banquet-style room. Its F&B offerings will include three dining options and a rooftop bar.
Haitham Mattar, managing director, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels and Resorts, said, “Having opened our first hotel in the Middle East – InterContinental Phoenicia – in Lebanon decades ago, we are proud to continue to strengthen our footprint in the country and bring new brands to the market which continues to attract travellers with its blend of cultural, historic and cosmopolitan. This signing is also in line with our ambition to strengthen our offering across key markets in the Middle East and cater to various guest segments with world class hospitality options.”
Within Lebanon, IHG currently operates four hotels (close to 900 keys) across three brands which include InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites.
Since launching globally in 2018, multiple voco properties have been signed across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), including markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt. The signing of voco Beirut Central District marks the brand’s debut in the Levant region. Globally, there are 46 voco hotels operational and more than 50 in the pipeline.
In June, IHG signed a management agreement with Akam Al Rajhi to open the first voco resort in the Middle East and Africa. It will be located along Egypt’s North Coast and is scheduled to open in December 2026.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, IHG also signed a management agreement with Jurmaz Hotels Company to bring a new voco hotel to Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh. The 246-key voco Hotel and Suites Riyadh North is scheduled to host its first guests in 2026.
(Image: Supplied by IHG Hotels and Resorts)
