ATLANTA—Through guest and hotel owner insights, InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the next evolution of the prototype for its Holiday Inn Express brand. Developed for the brand’s portfolio of hotels in the United States and Canada, the updated prototype design is expected to deliver even better on meeting guests’ changing needs and driving value for owners.
The Holiday Inn Express brand worked with an owner advisory board, conducted focus groups with guests, and completed competitive analysis and research to develop the updates to its prototype design. “We worked very closely with a number of our key owners to develop the updated prototype design for Holiday Inn Express to ensure that it is efficient to build and operate and will deliver strong financial returns,” said Joel Eisemann, chief development officer, IHG. “Engaging with both our owners and our guests is a key part of our strategy as we evolve our brands.”
Guestroom features include functional and flexible work space; functional storage units providing horizontal luggage storage; moveable seating; and new décor with neutral colors and interesting textural combinations. The Great Room, a multipurpose area in the lobby of the hotel, encompasses the Holiday Inn Express brand’s Express Start breakfast bar, dining area, and additional seating areas. The room provides an inviting and flexible space that features a business center and 24/7 market; individual check-in pods in the front lobby; and meeting space that is businesslike and uncluttered.
To create greater efficiencies and optimize return on investment for new and existing Holiday Inn Express hotel owners, the updated prototype design will also provide owners with a full set of architecture, engineering, and interior design construction documents for the first time, which will be available late second quarter 2014. Additionally, some of the operating efficiencies for the evolved prototype include a modular design, durable materials, and finishes with low/easy maintenance, flexible use of space in great room, and LED lighting to reduce energy costs. A complete design solution will be available for both new construction and renovations.
