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Save/ShareIt may be the world's largest hotel revamp ever, involving 3,125 Holiday Inn hotels worldwide. The owner of the Holiday Inn brand, InterContinental Hotels Group, has warned its franchisees that if they don't freshen up their hotels, they will not be allowed to carry the Holiday Inn logo.
The "motor lodge-style" look is out. Sleek exteriors are in, along with new decor, bedding, and lobbies. Every bathroom will get an improved shower head offering superior water pressure and a shower curtain with a curved rod. There'll be a new, business-like logo, too:
The first batch of 150 hotels with the new look will appear mid next year. Changes will be rolled out elsewhere between then and early 2010. Holiday Inn can afford to make the changes because it's one of the world's most profitable hotel brands. In some parts of Asia, it is even treated as a luxury brand.
The changes were the result of a survey of 18,000 customers. Among the complaints voiced were that front-desks looked too cluttered, and that the hotel exteriors weren't brightly lit. Customers also said that they prefer it when desk clerks address them by their name. These suggestions, among others, are being adopted.
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As lodging locations do their remodeling I certainly hope that the wattage of lighting within the rooms is increased. Dim lighting may be good for the electrical bill, but the traveler often has serious difficulty reading or even packing and unoacking in dimly lit rooms. This is an issue all over the USA.
Posted By Gloria Willingham on October 29, 2007, 2:15 PM
Way to Go Holiday Inn!!!!We had quit staying at Holiday's due to the vast difference in properties. My husband used to take his own light bulbs when he traveled for our US government. We still travel quiet frequently and will be able to use this brand again.
Posted By mcw2 on October 29, 2007, 2:43 PM
About time. We had quit staying at Holiday Inns. Poor lighting was one of the reasons. We also carry our own light bulbs.
Posted By robert hofer on October 29, 2007, 3:04 PM
I totally agree with the new makeover. We stayed at the new Holiday Inn in Williamsburg VA.I could not believe how super nice it was, and have told my friends about the upgrades. The staff there was great also! Keep up the good work.We truly appreciate it!! Thanks, Wanda, (from Athens,TN)
Posted By Wanda Bowers on October 29, 2007, 3:08 PM
18 members of my family stayed at the new Holiday Inn Express. They came in to town to celebrate my retirement. The front desk was friendly, and the Inn was beautiful. The beds were fantastic, the bathrooms classy and the rooms were stately. We will all look for Hoilday Inns when traveling.
Posted By Jacquelin May on October 29, 2007, 5:48 PM
Hooray for the bedding and water pressure. I hope they'll go to the all white linens that get washed after every guest - rather than the polyester print bedspreads that get changed only every 3 months unless something is spilled on them. I might just switch back.
Posted By Debbie Brvenik on October 29, 2007, 6:06 PM
I think it's about time Holiday did some sprucing up. We like to stay at Holiday Inns because we think they are always going to be run by reputable people that we can feel safe staying there. Most of the hotels are getting quite drab and need some uplifting. Glad to hear it will start soon.
Posted By Sally Wiese on October 29, 2007, 6:45 PM
Great move and the way to go. But, how about some more points while we fight the changes.
Posted By Charlie Atwell on October 29, 2007, 7:01 PM
Will they enhance the Menu & the Breakfasts.
May as well.
Make radical reforms on:
o WiFi
o Rooftop Solar
o Gift baskets??
o Concierge service
o Rental car desk
o Limosuine service.
o Gourmet dining fare.
o Bus to Airport or to Ciy Center.
o Business Center.
o Gourmet coffees for AM & PM.
o Local cuisine (per Holiday Inn sited IE TX BBQ for those in TX or TexMex fare).
o CA Wines in CA Holiday Inns.
o Improved AC & Heating
o Dish TV system?
o Dump the Motel look.
Or revise & upscale the Motel look.
o Have new mascot & image for Sales.
o Cel Phone chargers per room
o Local Travel Desk.
Hpe they can use.
Posted By stephen russell on October 29, 2007, 10:28 PM
This is wonderful news! I always wondered if others felt the same as we do about the lighting and water pressure! For Ambassador members, let's see some perks added across the board, like lounge access, when lounges are available! The false economy concept with the water pressure is just that - FALSE! We need to stay in the shower MUCH longer when there is just a small trickle of water, and we end up using the same amount of water, but wasting MUCH valuable time! Now let's see the prices get lowered across the board - worldwide - at ALL ICG properties, with increases remaining about 1% BELOW inflation, and retroactive to about 10 years ago! If ICG is the most profitable hotel chain in the world, this means they are making TOO MUCH profit, and their management should be ASHAMED! Why not have a mindset of "provide a reasonable service to the public??" Full hotels would bring even more profit if reasonable rates were charged! Most of their hotels do not even offer Senior Citizen rates anymore, and NEVER to include breakfast, although seniors eat much less, and would deserve a much lower rate!
Posted By Dr. Clarence W. Moore on October 29, 2007, 10:51 PM
We recently stayed at a redone Holiday Inn in Virginia. We were very pleased with the accommodations, particularly the beds. We were also pleased with the usual low fees compared to other hotels.
Posted By KarenFLA on October 29, 2007, 11:40 PM
I am all for improvements in the hotels, but that new signage uninspiring. Kind of makes me feel sad.
Posted By Kim on April 3, 2008, 6:43 PM
I echo Kim's comments. I am all for the improving the quality of the HI experience. The rebranding, however, is uninspired. They have thrown away some of the most iconic brand equity in the world for what? At least a few years ago they brought back an updated version of the "great sign." What happened to that? That was well done. As a Holiday Inn loyalist, I am very sad.
Posted By Gentleman Agitator on May 14, 2008, 10:04 PM