Intercontinental Hotels : The growth of Holiday Inn Express shows brand momentum in Europe

IHG Hotels & Resorts demonstrates Holiday Inn Express' value to owners as a resilient essential brand with leisure and conversion appeal at the forefront

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, is making continued progress against its 2021 growth strategy for Holiday Inn Express® in Europe. The trusted, essential brand offers a wide variety of conversion and new-build development options and appeals to guests across both the corporate travel and leisure markets. The brand continues to grow at pace globally, including 277 Holiday Inn Express hotels operating in Europe and over 60 more to open their doors in the next 3-5 years*.

Despite the recent challenges the industry has faced, IHG Hotels & Resorts signed 11 new Holiday Inn Express properties across Europe in 2020, which complements its 17 European openings for the same period. Leisure signings and openings are a key focus for the brand in 2021, with Holiday Inn Express Ajaccio France and Holiday Inn Express - Brussels Grand Palace due to open later this summer.

This momentum underpins the trust and belief that owners and partners have in IHG Hotels & Resorts and the strength and standing of the Holiday Inn Express brand. In recent years, the Holiday Inn Express brand has rolled out its Next Generation guest room and public space design concepts across existing and new hotels, driving strong owner returns and guest satisfaction scores.

The resilience of the Holiday Inn Express brand and operating model was further underlined through the Covid pandemic when - even at the height of government mandated hotel closures across Europe - over 80% of the brand's hotels were permitted to remain open for essential travel.

Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: "At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we take pride in the continued growth of our brands, and so I am delighted to see Holiday Inn Express entering new European leisure destinations which is a key focus for us this year. From airport and motorway locations to city centres, seaside locations and the opportunity to convert alongside new build opportunities, the brand delivers a consistent and reliable guest offer that has been resilient throughout Covid-19. These signings and openings show the continued trust our owners and partners place in IHG and our brands. We're truly excited to watch these properties come to life, and welcome more in the future."

Some of the most recent Holiday Inn Express openings showcasing the new concepts Europe include:

Holiday Inn Express Nice - Grand Arenas, France:
Located directly opposite the International Airport of Nice, Holiday Inn Express Nice - Grand Arenas sits within the modern and evolving business district which also includes retail shops, office space and a new convention centre that is currently under construction. After opening its doors in February this year, the newly built 131-room hotel serves as a gateway to an increasingly popular destination for business travellers, with Holiday Inn Express being the perfect brand to provide a simple, smart place to stay.

Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction, UK:
Being the first IHG branded hotel to enter the predominantly leisure destination of Cornwall, Holiday Inn Express Bodmin - Victoria Junction is situated in the centre of Cornwall making it the perfect base to explore the golden beaches in Newquay to the fishing harbours and restaurants of Padstow. Being the midday point between Exeter and Penzance, the 70-room hotel is part of a newly developed service station and is adjacent to a variety of restaurants, retail shops and other facilities perfect for a family stay.

Some of the most recent Holiday Inn Express signings in Europe include:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Basel - Allschwil, Switzerland:
Located in the third-largest city in Switzerland, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Basel - Allschwil will be the first Holiday Inn Express property with the brand's extended &Suites offer to enter the market. The newly built mixed-use development will offer 6 floors of 220 rooms, including 85 suites, a public space with a detached kitchen room, a terrace opening into a beautiful courtyard and ample meeting space. Catering to the needs of extended stay guests and families, the new &Suites room offer features extended living space, a kitchenette and a dedicated dining area.

Holiday Inn Express Ankara Airport, Turkey:
The 122-room property is located along Ozal Boulevard, the main road to Ankara International Airport. Located in Turkey's capital city, and being the central hub for the country, Holiday Inn Express Ankara Airport is the perfect launch pad for business and leisure travellers alike, whether they are on the go for their next business meeting or are looking to explore the city.

Holiday Inn Express Rome - Airport, Italy:
Holiday Inn Express Rome - Airport brings a new offering to local guests and those visiting for business or leisure. The 224-room hotel offers convenient access to Fiumicino Rome International Airport, situated in the Parco Leonardo shopping and business centre, connecting locals and guests to the heart of the inner city in just 25 minutes. Various retail outlets, restaurants and bars are in close proximity to the hotel, creating a truly convenient experience for guests travelling to and from Italy.

Holiday Inn Express Liverpool - Duke Street, UK:
Holiday Inn Express Liverpool - Duke street, a dual-branded property with IHG's Hotel Indigo brand, is located in the heart of the city with easy access to the mainline railway station. With the perfect blend of simple smart travel and no two neighborhoods alike, this property will give guests everything they need when travelling for business or leisure.

When the world is ready to travel again, Holiday Inn Express champions simple, smart travel by providing a launch pad for guests to make their next connection, whether for business or leisure, including complimentary Express Start® Breakfast, a great night's sleep, and efficient, seamless experiences for guests with speedy check-in, power showers and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Holiday Inn Express is IHG's largest and fastest growing hotel brand globally with over 2,900 hotels open and over 680 hotels set to open in the next few years. Across Europe, there are nearly 280 Holiday Inn Express hotels open and over 60 due to open in the next 3-5 years.

For more images, you can download a selection here.

*Numbers as of 31 December 2020.

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For further information please contact:

Lisa Woodman
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