You know that neon green sign. It’s basically a North Star for exhausted parents and business travelers who just want a shower that actually works. Holiday Inn hotels and resorts have been around since Kemmons Wilson got annoyed by crappy, overpriced motels during a family road trip back in 1952. Honestly, he changed everything. Before him, you never knew if a roadside motel would have bedbugs or a working toilet. He brought consistency to the masses. Today, owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts, the brand is a behemoth with over 1,200 locations globally, but it’s grappling with a weird identity crisis as it tries to stay "cool" for Gen Z while keeping the baby boomers happy.
People often confuse the different tiers. There’s the standard Holiday Inn, the Express version, the fancy Resorts, and even the "Club Vacations." It’s a lot. If you’ve ever pulled into a parking lot at 2:00 AM, you probably didn't care about the branding hierarchy. You just wanted the "Kids Stay and Eat Free" deal to be real. It is. That’s been the brand's bread and butter for decades, and it's one of the few things that hasn't been stripped away by corporate cost-cutting.
The Evolution of the Guest Room Experience
Walk into a modern Holiday Inn today and you won’t see the popcorn ceilings or the floral bedspreads of the 90s. They’ve poured billions into the "H4" design solution. It’s basically a fancy way of saying they moved the desk and added more plugs.
Think about it. We don't sit at desks anymore. We work from the bed. The H4 design reflects that with a "welcome nook" and beds that have integrated USB ports. It’s practical. It’s not trying to be a boutique hotel in Brooklyn, but it works. The pillows are still labeled "Soft" and "Firm," which is a small touch that somehow makes people feel seen.
But here’s the thing. Consistency is hard when you have thousands of franchise owners. One Holiday Inn in downtown London might feel like a luxury stay, while one off a highway in rural Nebraska might feel like a time capsule from 1984. IHG tries to police this with strict brand standards, but the reality is always a bit messy.
Why the "Express" Model is Winning
Holiday Inn Express is currently carrying the team. It’s the fastest-growing segment of the brand for a simple reason: the pancake machine.
Seriously.
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The one-touch pancake maker is a cult icon. Travelers love the "Express Start" breakfast because it’s included in the price. In an era where "resort fees" and $25 breakfast buffets are becoming the norm, getting a warm cinnamon roll and a coffee for free feels like a win.
- Efficiency: Express hotels are built for the "smart traveler." You’re in, you sleep, you eat a bagel, you leave.
- The Power of the Points: Because there are so many of them, they are the easiest way to rack up IHG One Rewards points.
- Small Footprints: You’ll find these squeezed into urban corners where a full-service resort wouldn't fit.
Business travelers gravitate here because the Wi-Fi is generally reliable. It's not flashy. It’s utilitarian. Some people find it boring, but when you're traveling for work, boring is usually better than "unexpected problems with the plumbing."
Holiday Inn Resorts: More Than Just a Bed
Then you have the resorts. These are different animals entirely. Locations like the Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay or the one in Orlando near Disney are massive operations. They have kids' clubs, multiple pools, and scheduled activities.
Most people don't realize that Holiday Inn was one of the first brands to really lean into the "all-inclusive" vibe for middle-class families. They aren't trying to compete with the Four Seasons. They are competing with your budget. They provide a predictable environment where you know the kids won't be bored and you won't go bankrupt buying grilled cheese sandwiches.
There’s a specific nuance to the resort side of the business. They often partner with Holiday Inn Club Vacations, which is a timeshare-style model. It’s important to distinguish between the two. One is a standard hotel stay; the other is a long-term membership. If you’re booking a trip, double-check which one you’re looking at, because the amenities and booking rules can vary wildly.
The "Kids Eat Free" Legend
This isn't just marketing fluff. It’s a core brand pillar that has survived since the fifties. Usually, up to four children ages 12 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn on-site restaurant.
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There are caveats, obviously.
At least one adult has to be staying at the hotel and ordering at least one main course from the full-price menu. You can't just drop your kids off at the buffet and go for a walk. But for a family of five, this saves about $40 to $60 a day. That’s the difference between a stressful trip and a manageable one. It’s these small, legacy features that keep the brand relevant when Airbnb is eating everyone’s lunch.
Facing the Competition: Is It Still Relevant?
The rise of "lifestyle brands" like Moxy or Tru by Hilton has put a lot of pressure on Holiday Inn. Younger travelers want "Instagrammable" lobbies and craft beer on tap.
Holiday Inn responded with the Open Lobby concept. They tore down the walls between the reception, the lounge, and the restaurant. It’s a more fluid space. You can grab a Starbucks coffee (they have a partnership) and sit with your laptop without feeling like you’re sitting in a formal dining room.
Honestly, the biggest threat to the brand isn't other hotels—it's the inconsistency of the aging properties. IHG has been aggressive about kicking hotels out of the system if they don't renovate. If a hotel looks too "tired," it loses the sign. This is why you see so many random "Grand Hotels" or "Traveler Inns" that look suspiciously like old Holiday Inns. They got booted.
Loyalty and the IHG One Rewards System
If you’re going to stay at Holiday Inn hotels and resorts, you have to play the points game. The IHG One Rewards program was revamped recently to make it more competitive with Marriott Bonvoy.
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- Milestone Rewards: You start getting picks (like F&B credits or suite upgrades) every 10 nights.
- Point Valuation: Generally, IHG points are worth about 0.5 cents each, which isn't the highest in the industry, but the ease of earning them makes up for it.
- Global Reach: From Beijing to Bogotá, your points work everywhere.
The "Diamond Elite" status is where things get interesting—free breakfast at full-service Holiday Inns is a benefit there. For a brand that built its name on the "everyman," the loyalty program is surprisingly robust for high-frequency road warriors.
Sustainability and the "Journey to Tomorrow"
IHG has this massive plan called "Journey to Tomorrow." It sounds corporate, but it has real-world impacts on your stay. They are phased out those tiny plastic shampoo bottles in favor of bulk dispensers. Some people hate it. They miss the "souvenirs." But when you consider there are nearly 5,000 IHG hotels globally, that’s a staggering amount of plastic waste eliminated.
They are also pushing for carbon reduction, which affects how the AC systems work and how often your linens are changed. It’s a delicate balance. Guests want to save the planet, but they also want a fresh towel every morning. Holiday Inn is right in the middle of that tug-of-war.
Practical Advice for Your Next Stay
Don't just book the first rate you see on a travel site.
First, check the "Book Early and Save" rates on the official site. They are usually non-refundable, but they’re significantly cheaper. Second, if you’re traveling with a family, call the hotel directly to confirm the "Kids Eat Free" specifics for that location. Some international spots have slightly different age cut-offs.
Also, look for "Dual-Brand" properties. Sometimes you’ll find a Holiday Inn and a Staybridge Suites in the same building. This is a hack because you often get access to better common areas or different breakfast options depending on how the building is managed.
Finally, remember that the "Green Sign" is a promise of a baseline. It’s not meant to be the highlight of your vacation; it’s meant to be the reliable foundation that lets you enjoy the rest of your trip. Whether you're at a resort in the Maldives or a roadside stop in Ohio, the goal is the same: no surprises.
Actionable Steps for Travelers
- Join the Rewards Program Immediately: Even if you only stay once a year, the member-only rates usually save you 5% to 10% right off the bat.
- Verify the "Open Lobby" Status: If you need to work during your stay, check the hotel’s photos for an "Open Lobby." The older, traditional layouts are much harder to work in comfortably.
- Download the IHG App: It’s actually one of the better ones. You can use it for digital check-in and, at many newer locations, as a digital key to bypass the front desk entirely.
- Check the Renovation Date: Before booking an older property, look at the "Recent News" or "About" section on the hotel’s specific page to see when the rooms were last updated. If it’s been more than 6-7 years, you might want to look at a newer "Express" nearby.
- Utilize the Best Price Guarantee: IHG is pretty strict about this. If you find a lower price on Expedia or Booking.com, they will often match it and give you five times the points, up to a certain cap. It’s worth the 10 minutes of effort.
Holiday Inn remains the quintessential middle-ground of travel. It isn't trying to be the most luxurious or the absolute cheapest. It occupies the space of "reliable enough," and in a world where travel has become increasingly chaotic, there’s a lot of value in knowing exactly what your room will look like before you even open the door.