IHG has signed its first Hotel Indigo in Italy, the Hotel Indigo Rome-St George; the 64-room boutique hotel will be centrally located in the heart of Rome, on Via Giulia.

The hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with Hotel Invest Italiana SRL, and is due to open in the first quarter of 2014, following a conversion from the St George Hotel to IHG's Hotel Indigo brand. 

IHG's Development Director for Italy, Domenico Magnati, said he was thrilled to introduce IHG's boutique hotel brand to Italy:

 "Hotel Indigo is our award-winning boutique hotel brand, uniquely designed to reflect the community, character and history of the surrounding area.  

"It launched in 2004 and has become a great success story - over the past three years, it's been the fastest growing brand in our portfolio. It was brought to Europe in 2009 and there are now 10 in the region, with another 13 in the pipeline which will open in the next three to five years. 

"Hotel Indigo Rome- St George will be a standout example of the brand, which I'm confident will trigger further development interest throughout Italy – there's plenty of locations for a branded boutique hotel brand."

The secret to the success of Hotel Indigo is that it offers guests the individuality of a boutique hotel with the reassurance and reliability of a big hotel brand. The brand is proving popular with developers in Europe as the flexible approach to design for Hotel Indigo hotels makes it ideal for conversion properties, which are easier to finance than new build properties, and can become operational sooner.

Each Hotel Indigo hotel is reflective of its local neighbourhood, and features the modern design and intimate service associated with boutique hotels. Hotel Indigo Rome-St George will draw inspiration from its location in the heart of historical Rome, just 1km from the Vatican and walking distance to Castel Sant'Angelo, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, and the lively Trastevere district. 

Hotel Indigo Rome- St George will  feature a luxury spa, offering a sauna, Turkish bath and an array of beauty treatments. The hotel, like every Hotel Indigo, will also feature a high quality bar and restaurant that is open to both guests and locals.  Guests will also be able to enjoy the hotel's rooftop terrace, which features panoramic views of Rome.

All Hotel Indigo hotels in Europe offer free wi-fi throughout the hotel as a brand standard, plus 24 hour room service and access to a gym.