IHG Hotels and Resorts (IHG), a UK-based hospitality chain with multiple outlets globally, has announced its first Vignette Collection hotel at Almaty in Kazakhstan. 

Vignette Collection is IHG Hotels’ first collection brand, with 12 hotels open around the world and a further 23 in the pipeline. 

In a press statement, IHG says that the property will become IHG’s second luxury and lifestyle hotel in Kazakhstan, joining InterContinental Almaty. 

IHG says that its 95-room Vignette Collection property has been signed under a franchise agreement with Meliora, part of Hayat Construction, which will further strengthen IHG’s Vignette Collection portfolio across Europe which stands at three operational hotels and seven in the pipeline.

It says that the property, which is a component of the Meliora mixed-use development being constructed by Hayat Construction, is anticipated to open in the first half of 2027. 

It says that the new development will be strategically located on the main road around the city centre, with direct connections to and from airport and key attractions.

These include Kok Tobe Park, a popular recreation area with panoramic views of Almaty, making it the ideal location for business and leisure guests.

IHG says the first Vignette Collection in Kazakhstan is part of IHG’s ‘A Means For Good’ campaign. This unifying hallmark sees properties partner with a local non-profit organisation to spearhead positive contributions to the communities in which it operates, the statement adds.

Willemijn Geels

“We are delighted to grow our long-standing partnership with Kassanov and bring the first Vignette Collection property to Kazakhstan. Almaty is the country’s cultural centre and the perfect location for our Vignette Collection brand, bringing inspiration from its surroundings, history and architecture,” says Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels and Resorts.

“The signing of the Vignette Collection in Almaty takes our signed and open properties to more than 10 in the country. It reflects the growing momentum of conversion deals we continue to see across Europe, as more owners look to retain their distinctive hotel identity, while benefitting from IHG’s global scale, luxury and lifestyle expertise, and powerful IHG One Rewards loyalty programme, something Vignette Collection offers perfectly,” Geels adds.

Murat Kassanov

“We are excited to be growing our partnership with IHG Hotels and Resorts with the signing of the first Vignette Collection in Kazakhstan. IHG has been a great partner with InterContinental Istanbul, and we believe its Vignette Collection brand fits perfectly with our vision for our Meliora development. We look forward to debuting the brand and providing the next generation of luxury and lifestyle travellers with one-of-a-kind unforgettable luxury experiences once we open our doors in early 2027,” says Murat Kassanov, Chairman of Hayat Construction Group and Kassanov Hotel Management, which is the operating company of InterContinental Istanbul.

The hotel group adds that its Vignette Collection is expected to grow globally to more than 100 properties within 10 years. 

The hotel will join a pipeline of seven Vignette Collection properties in Europe, including Hotel Alexandra, Vignette Collection in Italy and Alte Post Vignette Collection in Reit im Winkl, Germany. 

This is in addition to the three open Vignette Collection hotels in this market including Vignette Collection Casa da Companhia and Vignette Collection Lisbon Convent Square in Portugal, and the Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection in the UK.