Holiday Inn vs. Holiday Inn Express: Which Is Best for You?

Posted by Abbie Anker on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

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Holiday Inn vs. Holiday Inn Express: Which Is Best for You?

Are you planning on staying at a Holiday Inn hotel for your next vacation or business trip but confused about the difference between Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express? You’re not alone. While both hotel chains are part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), they have distinct features and amenities. Here (in bold) is a comparison of the two hotel brands.

Location and Design

Holiday Inn hotels are primarily located in bustling city centers, beside airports, and in busy tourist destinations. They are larger properties with more extensive facilities. On the other hand, Holiday Inn Express hotels are usually located near highways, suburban areas, or major roadways, catering mainly to travelers looking for a quick and convenient overnight stay. They have a more minimalist design with modern furnishings.

Amenities

Holiday Inn hotels focus on providing a wide range of full-service amenities such as restaurants, bars, fitness centers, pools, spas, and meeting spaces. In the guest rooms, you will find larger flat-screen TVs, work desks, mini-refrigerators, and Keurig coffee makers. At Holiday Inn Express, while the rooms are relatively smaller, you’ll find many of the same amenities found in full-service hotels but scaled down. They have a complimentary breakfast bar, fitness center, and business center.

Rewards

Holiday Inn’s rewards program is the IHG Rewards Club. It allows members to accumulate points for every stay and redeem them for free nights, merchandise, and airline miles. Members also enjoy exclusive benefits such as discounted room rates and upgrades. Holiday Inn guests also earn points and benefits for extended stays, corporate travel, meetings and events, and vacation packages. While at Holiday Inn Express hotels, the rewards program provides basic benefits such as discounts on room rates and access to member-only deals.

Price

Holiday Inn room rates are usually higher than those of Holiday Inn Express, and for a good reason – they offer more extensive amenities, services, and often better locations. A hotel room at a Holiday Inn hotel usually ranges from around $110 to $200 per night, while a Holiday Inn Express hotel charges anywhere from $90 to $150 per night.

In conclusion, the difference between Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express comes down to weighing your priorities. If you prefer full-service hotels with more extensive amenities, larger rooms and facilities, and a rewards program, Holiday Inn is your best bet. But suppose you need quick, affordable lodging with modern features and complimentary breakfast. In that case, you should opt for Holiday Inn Express.

FAQs

1. Are Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express owned by the same company?

Yes, they are both owned and operated by Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG).

2. How do the room sizes differ between Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express?

Holiday Inn rooms are typically more spacious than those at a Holiday Inn Express.

3. Do both hotels offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, both hotels offer guests free Wi-Fi.

4. How does the price range compare at both hotels?

Typically, a stay at Holiday Inn will be more expensive than at a Holiday Inn Express.

5. Are Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express pet-friendly?

Both hotel chains have pet-friendly options available, but you should check ahead of time to see if there are any restrictions or additional fees.

6. Which hotel is better suited to business travelers?

Holiday Inn is typically better suited to business travelers due to their extensive facilities such as meeting rooms and business centers.

7. Does the free breakfast at Holiday Inn Express differ from that at Holiday Inn?

While both hotels offer a complimentary breakfast, the breakfast options at Holiday Inn Express are usually more limited than the full-service breakfast buffet at Holiday Inn.

8. How do the rewards programs differ between the two hotels?

Holiday Inn guests enjoy more exclusive benefits in their IHG Rewards Club such as discounts and upgrades.

9. Which hotel offers more extensive fitness facilities?

Holiday Inn hotels typically have larger, more comprehensive fitness facilities than Holiday Inn Express.

10. Are there locations where only one of the two hotels is present?

Yes. While both brands are located all around the world, some cities may only have one of the two hotels, so check your destination’s options before booking.

11. Are the amenities/rooms consistent across all Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations?

While the hotels have a brand standard, individual hotels may have unique offerings, amenities, and guest room configurations. It is best to check the specific hotel’s website to ensure there are no surprises.

12. How can I check the rates and availability at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations?

You can directly check the IHG website, use a travel booking site, or make a reservation with a travel agent.

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