IHG has expanded its voco brand in the United Kingdom with the opening of voco St. John’s, Solihull, the second voco property to launch in the UK. The hotel opened earlier this month after an extensive renovation of the former property to align with the distinct character and standards of the voco brand.
Located in Solihull, the hotel features 180 well-appointed guestrooms, a restaurant and bar, and more than 13 flexible meeting and event spaces. The largest event space can accommodate up to 700 guests, making the property suitable for conferences, weddings and large-scale events. For leisure and wellness, the hotel provides a fitness facility with a traditional gym, an indoor swimming pool and a sauna, offering guests a range of options to relax and maintain their fitness routines while traveling.
voco St. John’s, Solihull emphasizes a balance between the unique, independent-hotel feel and the operational benefits of being part of a major hospitality group. The conversion preserved much of the property’s original charm while introducing contemporary design elements and upgraded guest amenities consistent with voco’s brand identity. Public areas and guestrooms reflect a blend of comfort and thoughtful design, intended to appeal to both business and leisure travelers.
Jane Bowler, general manager of voco St. John’s, Solihull, commented on the opening and the team’s ambitions for the property: “This is an incredibly exciting time. voco will be a fantastic addition to Solihull, and we are proud to be the first voco property in the Midlands. We want voco St. John’s, Solihull to be an inviting place for both hotel guests and our local community, and we look forward to them experiencing the new brand. Our team are extremely passionate about what we offer and we invite you to experience the world of voco for yourself.”
IHG leadership highlighted the brand’s approach to growth through conversions. Karan Khanna, managing director for the United Kingdom and Ireland at IHG, noted that the voco concept allows the company to retain the distinct qualities of independent hotels while integrating them into IHG’s broader systems and standards. “We are excited to open our second voco property in the UK following the successful launch of voco St. David’s in Cardiff. With a focus on conversion opportunities, the voco brand allows us to retain the existing charm of an independent hotel whilst also bringing the reassurances of a trusted brand, along with the power and strength of IHG’s systems,” he said.
The opening of voco St. John’s, Solihull reinforces IHG’s strategy to grow voco through selective conversions that preserve local character and provide owners with the operational support and global distribution that comes with a major hotel group. For guests, this approach delivers a blend of personality-driven design and consistent service standards, plus the benefit of IHG’s loyalty program and reservation systems.
With facilities geared toward events, business travel and leisure stays, the new voco in Solihull aims to serve a broad audience. The meeting and event spaces, combined with on-site catering and hospitality services, are designed to meet the needs of corporate clients and local organizations seeking a venue for conferences, seminars and social gatherings. Meanwhile, the leisure amenities—pool, sauna and gym—offer a comfortable experience for visitors and residents seeking relaxation and fitness options.
As voco continues to grow in the UK, the Solihull opening follows the initial UK launch in Cardiff and signals IHG’s intent to further expand the brand across the region. The approach of converting well-located existing hotels into voco properties supports a rollout that highlights local character while improving infrastructure and guest experience through targeted investments and brand standards. For the Midlands, voco St. John’s represents a new hospitality option that combines local appeal with the global reach of IHG.