IHG announced the signing of two InterContinental Hotels in two focus markets in Europe: InterContinental Dublin and InterContinental Baku.

InterContinental Hotels Group announced the signing of two InterContinental Hotels in two focus markets in Europe: InterContinental Dublin will bring iconic luxury to Ireland, and InterContinental® Baku represents the brand’s debut in Azerbaijan.

From 1 January, 2015 InterContinental Dublin will operate under a franchise agreement with Ballsbridge Hotel Limited, an affiliate of London & Regional Properties. It will be located in the former Four Seasons Hotel Dublin, one of Ireland’s top-rated hotels.

Situated in Dublin’s prestigious neighbourhood Ballsbridge, the hotel features 197 guest rooms inclusive of 58 suites, an indoor swimming pool, spa & fitness centre, two restaurants and two bars. It also boasts impressive meeting and event space with two ballrooms totalling more than 15,000 square feet (over 1,400 square meters).

Meanwhile InterContinental Baku, due to open in 2016, will operate under a franchise agreement with AZ-ORS LLC. The hotel will be managed by The Ceylan Group - owners and managers of the highly successful InterContinental® Istanbul, Turkey.

The new build hotel will include a total of 105 rooms featuring a number of junior and executive suites and one presidential suite. InterContinental Baku will be located in the heart of the Azerbaijani capital’s shopping district on BulBul Avenue and Zarifa Aliyeva Street, near the famous seaside promenade Baku Boulevard.

Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer, Europe, IHG said: “We are thrilled to have signed two flagship InterContinental hotels in two important markets; and both properties are going to be fantastic additions to our portfolio. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts continues to remain relevant to owners and guests as it expands across Europe, further cementing its position as the largest luxury global hotel brand.”

IHG’s InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has hotels in more than 60 countries worldwide, with local insight that comes from 67 years' experience. There are currently 178 InterContinental Hotels and Resorts globally and 53 in the pipeline.