IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands Vignette Collection in the Middle East with Landmark Developments

Dubai, UAE | Hospitality Development Update

IHG Hotels & Resorts is strengthening its luxury and lifestyle presence in the Middle East through strategic additions to its Vignette Collection portfolio, including a record-breaking hotel tower in Dubai Marina and early brand introductions in the UAE and Kuwait.

The developments highlight IHG’s long-term focus on experiential, design-led hotels that retain independent character while benefiting from global distribution, loyalty platforms, and operational scale.

World’s Tallest All-Hotel Tower to Join Vignette Collection

A major milestone for the brand is the upcoming debut of Ciel, Vignette Collection, a high-rise hotel tower in Dubai Marina that is set to become the tallest all-hotel structure globally when it opens in 2025.

Owned and managed by The First Group, the 80-plus-storey tower will feature more than 1,000 rooms and suites alongside lifestyle-driven amenities including multiple dining venues, a spa, wellness facilities, observation lounges, and Dubai’s highest infinity pool. The project has already received international recognition for architectural excellence and design innovation.

Vignette Collection’s Regional Foundations

IHG’s Vignette Collection made its Middle East entry earlier through agreements with Aqarat, introducing the brand to Dubai and Kuwait City. These properties established the collection’s regional presence with a focus on distinctive identity, destination storytelling, and sustainability-led hospitality.

Unlike traditional hotel brands, Vignette Collection is positioned as a curated group of individual hotels, allowing owners to preserve unique character while leveraging IHG’s luxury and lifestyle ecosystem.

Strategic Fit with Regional Market Demand

The Middle East’s growing appetite for differentiated luxury experiences has made the region a priority market for IHG’s collection brands. Developments under the Vignette Collection are designed to appeal to travellers seeking immersive stays that go beyond conventional hotel offerings, combining location, architecture, and lifestyle programming.

Dubai’s global tourism profile and Kuwait’s evolving hospitality market continue to provide strong foundations for this growth strategy.

Strengthening IHG’s Luxury and Lifestyle Portfolio

Vignette Collection forms part of IHG’s wider luxury and lifestyle portfolio, which includes established brands across resort, urban, and experiential hospitality segments. The expansion of the collection in the Middle East reinforces IHG’s commitment to growing through flexible brand models that align with owner ambitions and changing guest expectations.

With a growing global pipeline, the brand is expected to play a significant role in IHG’s long-term luxury expansion across key international destinations.