Groupe Robin to open $20M dual‑branded hotel in Granby, Que.

The family-owned company, known for its nearly 15-year partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, is bringing its second dual-banner hotel to Quebec. The new property will offer 128 accommodations: 83 rooms under the Holiday Inn Express & Suites brand and 45 studios with fully equipped kitchens under the Candlewood Suites banner. A future expansion will add another 40 rooms.

Groupe Robin emphasizes the importance of integrating the hotel into Granby’s identity. The design features eco-conscious materials and nods to the nearby Granby Zoo, a key regional attraction. Facilities will include an indoor pool, fitness centre, outdoor terrace with BBQ, buffet-style breakfast, market area for quick meals, and amenities like bike storage and a laundry room.

“We aim to provide a welcoming experience, whether for overnight guests or extended stays, while creating connections with the community,” says Nellie Robin, president of Groupe Robin.

In line with Groupe Robin’s sustainability goals, the new hotel will pursue LEED certification, marking the company’s fifth environmentally responsible hotel project. The developer’s first LEED-certified hotel—a Holiday Inn Express in Saint-Hyacinthe—opened in 2010, earning recognition as the first LEED-certified hotel in Canada and North America for IHG.

“We’re proud to build projects that are both resilient to climate change and beneficial to the community,” Robin adds.

Granby Mayor Julie Bourdon welcomed the project, highlighting its role in supporting economic growth and enhancing the city’s tourism sector. “This hotel will solidify Granby’s reputation as a must-visit destination,” she says.

The development will employ roughly 100 construction workers and create 30 operational jobs upon opening. Groupe Robin also plans to collaborate with regional businesses, the local convention centre, and the Granby Zoo to boost event hosting capacity.

Located near Routes 112 and 139, the hotel site is adjacent to a rapidly developing area with a major industrial park and the Bromont Technum innovation zone. Its proximity to bike paths and key attractions like the Granby Zoo, which draws over 600,000 visitors annually, makes it well-positioned to capture both leisure and corporate clientele.

Construction is set to begin in winter 2025, with an opening planned for spring 2026.