IHG Hotels: Expanding with the Modern Traveller in Mind

Finding the right hotel can make or break a business trip. Whether it's a peaceful environment to unwind after a busy day or a productive space to focus on meetings, the right accommodation plays a key role in the success of your travels.

At Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT), we understand this, and that’s why we only partner with the best hoteliers in the business. IHG Hotels & Resorts is a valued HotelsPlus partner, as well being a Corporate Travel Grant 2025 partner, and lately we’ve been impressed by how busy they have been expanding their presence with a series of exciting new openings and developments across Australia and Thailand.

IHG’s Crowne Plaza brand has seen impressive expansion in Australia. In December 2024, two new Crowne Plaza hotels opened their doors—one in Adelaide and one at Sydney Airport.

The Crowne Plaza Adelaide Mawson Lakes is the first and largest premium hotel in northern Adelaide, boasting 155 rooms designed with the next gen traveller in mind. Guests can enjoy a blend of work and leisure, with high-tech rooms, an innovative Ember & Vine restaurant, and stunning views from the Aviator Bar. Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, this hotel offers the ideal space to balance both.

The new Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport is the first Crowne Plaza branded hotel in an airport location in Australia. After a major transformation, the hotel offers a fresh, design-led experience for travellers passing through one of the busiest airports in the country. With sleek rooms, a renovated ground floor, and expanded event spaces, it’s more than just a place to sleep—it’s a space to recharge and prepare for the journey ahead.

IHG’s vision stretches beyond Australia’s borders. In Thailand, they are bringing luxury to a new level with the upcoming InterContinental Phang-Nga Bay Resort. Set to open in 2028, this breathtaking 150-key resort will offer guests stunning views of Phang-Nga Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

With its prime location, guests can expect a relaxing retreat surrounded by natural beauty, including private pool villas, fine dining options, and plenty of activities along the Andaman Coast. It’s just one example of how IHG is elevating the travel experience for business and leisure travellers alike.

Closer to home, IHG’s commitment to innovation continues with the Melbourne Walk development. This exciting project marks the brand’s first dual-branded hotel in Australia, combining the Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo brands in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Once completed in 2025, Melbourne Walk will feature 452 rooms, blending modern convenience with the charm of Melbourne’s iconic laneways.

With retail spaces, a rooftop restaurant, and the integration of historic facades, this development promises to be a vibrant destination for both business and leisure travellers.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure (or both - hello bleisure), IHG’s expanding portfolio is designed to offer the perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and exceptional service. At Flight Centre Business Travel, we’re proud to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to offer our clients personalised experiences that make every journey feel like a homecoming. After all, it’s personal.