Juan Pablo Laginia, General Manager, InterContinental Houston

In an interview with Invest:, Juan Pablo Laginia, general manager of the InterContinental Houston, emphasized the hotel’s commitment to delivering “true hospitality, exceptionally” through personalized service and innovative experiences. With Houston’s global appeal and the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the hotel is poised to elevate luxury hospitality on an international stage.

What makes Houston an ideal location for a luxury hotel like InterContinental?

Houston is a diverse city — a true international destination. It’s a hub for many airlines, which makes connectivity to and from the rest of the world easy. The city has so much to offer. From Galveston all the way to The Woodlands, Houston provides something for everyone.

If travelers are looking for culture, Houston has one of the strongest theater districts in the United States, second only to Broadway. If they’re looking for sports, that’s part of the local DNA. Houston has professional teams across all the major leagues. And of course, the city has a great convention center that continues to grow and improve. Houston truly has a little bit for everyone, and that diversity makes it an ideal place for a brand like InterContinental.

What strategies help InterContinental Houston serve both cultural travelers and business guests?

The InterContinental brand has been associated with luxury for almost 80 years. When travelers see an InterContinental hotel at a destination, they already know they’ll enjoy a quality experience.

Our location allows us to serve multiple segments; we’re near key tourist attractions like museums, theaters, and sports venues, as well as the Medical Center. We see a lot of travelers who aren’t just here for one specific purpose, but to truly experience Houston’s local culture and flavors.

InterContinental differentiates itself by creating incredible experiences that go beyond just providing a place to sleep. We focus on understanding the reason each guest is visiting and tailoring services accordingly. If someone arrives from the Middle East at 10 p.m. and is ready for breakfast — even if it’s not morning in Houston — we have flexible dining options to accommodate them. It’s about treating every guest as an individual, not just another room number. Understanding and personalizing the guest experience is key.

What is the concept behind the Le Petit Chef dining experience, and how has it been received?

Le Petit Chef is a fantastic partnership with Belgian artists who created this innovative concept. We’re proud to be among the first cities in the United States to offer it. It’s a 3D animated show that plays directly on the dining table. Guests watch a miniature animated chef create dishes in front of them, from placing ingredients to cooking them. At the end of each show segment, the corresponding course is served.

The entire experience lasts about two hours, featuring five courses, each paired with a unique animated show. It’s great for families, date nights, and office gatherings – it’s designed for anyone. While kids can certainly enjoy it, the humor and presentation are also geared toward adults, with a bit of dark humor that adds an extra layer of fun. I’ve personally experienced it multiple times, and each time, I notice new details. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a full entertainment and dining experience, and guests have responded extremely well.

What drives InterContinental Houston’s commitment to service excellence and industry recognition?

Our commitment is rooted in the InterContinental brand’s philosophy of Inspiring Incredible. We focus on creating personalized experiences that go beyond the basics of a hotel stay, whether that’s through our focus on restorative travel, providing solutions for guests, and helping them overcome jetlag and travel fatigue, or our team’s proactive knowledge sharing and the curation of experiences to connect guests to the local culture.

Recognition from organizations like U.S. News & World Report reflects the intentional work behind the scenes. We don’t leave great experiences to chance. They happen because we are proactive in anticipating guest expectations and crafting memorable moments.

The hotel’s design, service model, and guest programming all focus on flexibility, authenticity, and celebrating important occasions, whether it’s a birthday, a weekend getaway, or a major life event. Being among the newest hotels in the Medical Center, Theater, and Museum District also positions us to continuously refresh and innovate. Ultimately, success comes from combining insider knowledge of Houston, personalized service, and a consistent culture of excellence across every guest touchpoint.

How is the hotel preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston?

The city has been preparing for the World Cup for a long time, and we’re ready as well.

Given our proximity to NRG Stadium, we’re already accustomed to hosting national and international sports teams, artists, and fans. Hosting major events is part of our DNA.

The focus will be on showcasing the best of Houston to visitors coming from around the world, and many travelers are already familiar with the InterContinental brand and will have high expectations. We see this as an opportunity not just to accommodate guests, but to create memorable experiences that represent both Houston and our brand at their best.

What is your outlook for Houston’s tourism sector, and what are your top priorities for the hotel?

The outlook for tourism in Houston remains positive. Economic indicators are strong, and thriving sectors such as sports, concerts, education, and healthcare are closely tied to our location. This positions us well for the future.

Over the next few months, we’ll be refreshing several key areas of the property, including our restaurant, bar, lobby, and Club InterContinental, to elevate the guest experience even further.

Houston is set this year to host world-class events, including Concacaf tournaments, concerts, and hopefully playoff games across various sports. Rodeo season kicks off every March, offering another uniquely Houston experience that draws visitors from across the country.

Our goal is to continue offering incredible, personalized occasions for every guest. We focus on creating “true hospitality, exceptionally,” which perfectly captures the spirit of everything we do.