IHG Hotels & Resorts will bring its newly launched Noted Collection brand to the Middle East for the first time, with a 107-key hotel set to open in Riyadh by the end of 2026. IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Morina Development & Investment to launch Cantonal Hotel Riyadh Noted Collection by IHG, marking the premium collection brand’s first property in the Middle East.
The 107-key hotel is scheduled to open by the end of 2026 following the conversion of an existing property and will be located in Al Olaya, one of Riyadh’s key commercial and lifestyle districts. The signing comes as international hotel groups continue to expand their portfolios in Saudi Arabia, driven by the Kingdom’s rapidly developing tourism and hospitality sector and growing demand from both business and leisure travellers.
Noted Collection was recently introduced as IHG’s 21st hotel brand and is designed as a portfolio of independent premium hotels distinguished by their individual character, local identity and stories. The model allows independent hotel owners to retain the individuality of their properties while gaining access to IHG’s global commercial infrastructure and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.
The Riyadh signing therefore represents not only the brand’s Saudi Arabian debut but its first step into the wider Middle East hospitality market. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, described the signing as an important milestone for the company's regional expansion. “We are proud to introduce Noted Collection to the Middle East through this landmark signing in Riyadh, bringing a new premium collection brand to one of the region’s most dynamic hospitality markets,” Mattar said.
“As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its national tourism ambitions and elevate its hospitality landscape, this signing reflects our commitment to bringing distinctive brands and experiences to the Kingdom.” Mattar added that Noted Collection had been created for “independent hotels with a story worth sharing”, allowing properties to retain a strong sense of place while benefiting from IHG’s wider network.
Cantonal Hotel Riyadh Noted Collection by IHG will be positioned in Al Olaya, placing guests close to some of the Saudi capital’s most recognisable landmarks and major business districts. Kingdom Centre Tower and Al Faisaliah Tower will be nearby, while King Abdullah Financial District and other business and lifestyle destinations will also be easily accessible. King Khalid International Airport will be approximately 30 minutes from the property.
The hotel will feature 107 guestrooms alongside a main restaurant, café, rooftop lounge, meeting facilities and an indoor swimming pool. The property is expected to target both corporate and leisure guests seeking a centrally located hotel that combines the reach of an international hospitality group with the character of an independent property.
The partnership also points to the growing role collection brands are playing in the international hotel industry, allowing distinctive independent properties to join major hospitality ecosystems without adopting the more standardised identity traditionally associated with global chains. With its planned opening before the end of the year, the property will give IHG’s newest collection brand its first foothold in the Middle East and add another international hospitality offering to Riyadh’s fast-expanding hotel landscape.
