Holiday Inn ranks #1 most trusted brand in travel and hospitality, welcomes a modern future

The Holiday Inn brand is not only one of the most iconic names in hospitality, but one of the world's largest and most recognized brands. According to Morning Consult Intelligence data, the Holiday Inn brand is also the most trusted travel and hospitality brand in the country.

"Trust is invaluable," said Raul Ortiz, Vice President, Global Marketing & Brand Management for Holiday Inn. “It’s something that’s earned year after year. We are continuing to build a brand that everyone can enjoy and depend on, and this recognition serves as a testament to our ongoing efforts. We are incredibly grateful to our guests who choose to stay with us and to our hotel teams whose unwavering care is the cornerstone of our guests’ experience.”

As the first hotel chain to have a footprint in all 50 U.S. states, the Holiday Inn brand has revolutionized travel through countless contributions to make hospitality more accessible. The brand pioneered the concept of hotel loyalty programs in February of 1983, setting an industry standard that laid the groundwork for IHG Hotels & Resorts to establish one of the world's largest loyalty programs, now known as IHG One Rewards. The brand also spearheaded the development of the first centralized hotel reservation system – Holidex, in collaboration with IBM – that paved the way for future technological advancements across the hospitality sector.

Today, this legacy of innovation continues, and the brand is using its unrivaled heritage and unique position as a world leader in travel to shape a better guest experience.

New Day, New Stay: An Iconic Brand in A Modern World

With a commitment to evolve alongside the ever-changing needs of today’s traveler, the Holiday Inn brand unveiled a refreshed and modernized prototype for its Americas estate last year.

While the first hotel to fully showcase the brand’s latest design changes is scheduled for an early 2025 debut, the Holiday Inn design aims to integrate elements of the new prototype into nearly 30 U.S. hotels by the end of 2024. These adaptations will include:

• A Stand-out Exterior: The timeless Holiday Inn sign remains a beacon of familiarity, but now complements a modern designed main building.
• Elevated Food and Beverage: The introduction of a more accessible F&B offering with a new counter service model. Here, guests can order both small and big bites, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sweet treats and more.
  • Other models include a blended restaurant and bar space catering to diverse guest needs throughout the day.
  • A new breakfast buffet will feature elevated breakfast staples and regional favorites.
• Around the Clock Convenience: An open market concept offering a variety of travel essentials 24/7.
• A Refreshed Welcome: A cohesive public space featuring a re-imagined interior layout to bring the front desk, order counter, bar, and market within a central unit.
• Modern Comfort: Redesigned guest rooms cater to both business and family travelers, featuring four distinct zones for seamless functionality: a welcome zone resembling a home entryway for convenient belongings storage; a versatile work/relax zone with a dedicated desk space, lounge area, and easy connectivity; a cozy sleep zone with a comfortable bed that features tech plug-ins on either side of the headboard; and a refresh zone offering a bright and clean bathroom.
• Flexible Spaces: Versatile, multi-purpose spaces for formal meetings and social gatherings. Additionally, the brand will offer an eBar where guests can perch, wait for others and/or ride share services, and work alone or with colleagues.
• Timeless Traditions: Founder Kemmons Wilson drew inspiration from his kids when first launching the brand, and a swimming pool was one idea they all had in common. As a result, pools are still a brand standard to this day. Additionally, the brand’s “Kids Stay & Eat Free” hallmark will remain a standard, as it represents just one of the many aspects that have endeared the Holiday Inn brand to families over the decades.

Sophisticated Style and a Bold New Look

In addition to its physical transformation, the Holiday Inn brand team is introducing newly updated branding and marketing materials. The refresh includes a more sophisticated color palette, bold headlines, and dynamic images, and highlights the Holiday Inn brand’s iconic history in a richer, more modern interpretation.

The Holiday Inn "Great Sign” was once a guiding light built to attract travelers off the highway that could be seen for miles. While the “Great Sign” isn’t making an official comeback, the brand’s revamped exterior signage provides that recognizable welcome with an uplifting, illuminated green glow. Moreover, it proudly lets guests know the brand is part of the bigger IHG Hotels & Resorts family.

There are nearly 1,200 open Holiday Inn hotels with an additional 252 in the pipeline across 76 countries. As the brand continues to evolve and grow, Holiday Inn’s unwavering commitment to its guests will be to always remain a beloved and trusted brand.

For more information about Holiday Inn, visit: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/reservation.