Avid Hotels

Avid Hotels is a midscale lodging brand operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts. IHG announced the creation of the brand in June 2017 as part of an effort to expand its presence in the value-oriented segment of the hotel market. The name was revealed in September of the same year. Avid was designed as a purpose-built hotel concept rather than as a conversion-oriented extension of one of IHG’s established brands, with an emphasis on efficient construction, predictable operating costs, and a straightforward guest experience. The concept generally uses hotels of approximately 100 rooms and combines private guest rooms with shared facilities intended to support short stays. Its visual identity uses prominent blue and red colors, and the brand was the first IHG brand whose logo carried the group’s master-brand endorsement, expressed through the “An IHG Hotel” mark. The franchise was introduced in Canada in December 2017 and Mexico in February 2018, extending the concept beyond its initial U.S. development base. The first Avid hotel opened in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in August 2018. Developed and owned by Champion Hotels, the property contained 87 rooms and opened 199 days after groundbreaking. The opening provided IHG with a working example of the brand’s compact, standardized development model. In October 2018, IHG announced an agreement with GS Star GmbH to develop 15 Avid hotels in Germany, representing the brand’s first announced European development arrangement. IHG later announced a partnership with Operadora MBA for the first Avid hotel construction project in Mexico in August 2019. Avid’s guest proposition is centered on what the brand describes as a “just right” value offer: essential room and hotel amenities without the broader food-and-beverage, meeting, and service infrastructure associated with full-service hotels. Rooms typically include smart televisions, blackout curtains, and refrigerators. Instead of enclosed closets, the room design uses open storage such as a counter and hooks; microwaves are generally provided in communal breakfast areas rather than in individual rooms. All hotels have fitness facilities, while some properties also include indoor or outdoor pools. Breakfast is designed as a self-service offering rather than a full restaurant-style hot buffet. The “Good all round” table provides items such as granola bars, pastries, and beverages, with a limited daily selection of hot food that may include egg bowls or breakfast sandwiches. A beverage station with touchscreen-enabled coffee equipment and hot, still, or sparkling water is available to guests throughout the day. Communal spaces are intended to make the relatively compact hotels functional for both business and casual travelers. The brand’s development footprint expanded steadily after launch. A March 2021 count cited 34 operating hotels and 181 additional properties in the pipeline. A later March 2026 count cited 87 operating hotels totaling 7,677 rooms, with another 117 hotels in the pipeline. Avid Hotels remains positioned as an active IHG brand serving travelers who prioritize affordability, consistency, convenient technology, and essential amenities over extensive onsite services.

IHG Hotels & Resorts introduced Avid Hotels in 2017 as a new midscale brand intended to address demand for simple, reliable, and cost-conscious lodging. The initial announcement came in June 2017, when IHG described the creation of its thirteenth brand. The name Avid Hotels was announced in September. Its identity was notable within the IHG portfolio because the logo carried the group’s master-brand endorsement, “An IHG Hotel,” signaling a direct connection to the parent company while preserving Avid’s separate visual and operating concept. The brand was conceived around a relatively compact hotel format, typically containing about 100 rooms. Rather than competing through extensive food-and-beverage, conference, or concierge services, Avid emphasizes consistency and a limited set of frequently used amenities. The design uses bright blue and red brand colors, communal areas, fitness facilities, and technology-oriented guest-room features. The operating model also seeks to simplify development and day-to-day operations, making the brand suitable for franchisees and developers targeting the midscale segment. Avid’s international franchise rollout began in Canada in December 2017 and Mexico in February 2018. The first completed hotel opened in Oklahoma City in August 2018. The property was owned by Champion Hotels, had 87 rooms, and was reported to have opened 199 days after groundbreaking. This opening established the brand’s first physical expression and demonstrated the speed and standardization that IHG associated with the concept. International development followed soon afterward. In October 2018, IHG signed an agreement with GS Star GmbH to develop 15 Avid hotels in Germany. This was identified as the brand’s first European development deal. In August 2019, IHG announced a partnership with Operadora MBA for construction of Mexico’s first Avid hotel, reinforcing the company’s intention to use local development partners as it expanded the franchise internationally. The guest experience is organized around practical shared services. Avid hotels do not generally provide a full hot breakfast restaurant. Instead, guests receive a self-service breakfast built around a “Good all round” table with items such as granola bars, pastries, and drinks, supplemented by a small daily selection of hot foods including egg-based bowls or breakfast sandwiches. The beverage bar provides touchscreen-operated coffee equipment along with hot water and still or sparkling water and is available throughout the day. All properties include a fitness room, although pool availability varies by hotel. Guest rooms are designed for short business or leisure stays. Standard features include smart televisions, blackout curtains, and refrigerators. The room design generally replaces a traditional enclosed closet with an open countertop and hooks, while microwaves are placed in communal breakfast areas rather than in every room. These choices reflect the brand’s effort to provide essential convenience while limiting construction, maintenance, and equipment costs. The brand expanded despite the difficult hotel environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, published figures cited 34 open locations and 181 properties in the pipeline. By March 2026, the reported network had grown to 87 operating hotels with 7,677 rooms and 117 additional hotels in development. Avid Hotels therefore occupies a distinct place in IHG’s portfolio as an active, value-oriented midscale chain built around standardized design, franchise growth, and a focused set of guest essentials.

• 2026

  Network reaches 87 operating hotels

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  A March 2026 count cites 87 operating hotels, 7,677 rooms, and 117 hotels in the pipeline.

• 2021

  Network reaches 34 open hotels

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  Published figures cite 34 operating hotels and 181 properties in the pipeline.

• 2019

  Mexican construction partnership announced

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  IHG announces a partnership with Operadora MBA for the first Avid hotel construction project in Mexico.

• 2018

  Franchise expands to Mexico

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  The franchise is introduced in Mexico in February.

• 2018

  First hotel opens in Oklahoma City

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  Champion Hotels opens the first Avid hotel, an 87-room property in Oklahoma City.

• 2018

  First European development agreement

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  IHG signs with GS Star GmbH to develop 15 Avid hotels in Germany.

• 2017

  IHG announces a new midscale brand

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  IHG announces the creation of a new midscale hotel brand in June and reveals the Avid Hotels name in September.

• 2017

  Franchise launches in Canada

  [1]Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org

  Avid Hotels becomes available for franchise development in Canada.

Avid Hotels is positioned as a practical, value-focused midscale hotel brand for business and casual travelers seeking predictable accommodation, essential amenities, and efficient service at a lower price point than full-service hotels.

• Hotel accommodation · 2018

  Avid Hotels guest rooms

  The core offering is standardized midscale hotel accommodation for short business and leisure stays. Rooms typically include smart televisions, blackout curtains, refrigerators, and open storage using a countertop and hooks instead of a traditional enclosed closet. The design prioritizes practical functionality and simplified maintenance. Microwaves are generally located in shared breakfast areas rather than individual rooms.

• Food and beverage · 2018

  Good all round breakfast

  Avid’s breakfast is a self-service offering designed as an alternative to a full-service restaurant or extensive hot buffet. The selection includes items such as granola bars, pastries, and drinks, with a limited rotating selection of hot foods that can include egg scramble bowls and breakfast sandwiches. The format supports the brand’s value positioning while providing a convenient morning meal for hotel guests.

• Guest amenity · 2018

  Avid beverage bar

  The beverage bar is an all-day self-service station located in the communal area. It includes a touchscreen-enabled coffee machine and equipment for hot water and still or sparkling water. Continuous access to these beverages is intended to provide a convenient alternative to a staffed café while reinforcing the brand’s technology-enabled, efficient operating model.

• Hotel amenity · 2018

  Fitness facilities

  Fitness rooms are part of the standard Avid Hotels concept and are available at all properties according to the reference material. Pool facilities are not universal: some hotels provide indoor or outdoor pools depending on the property design and local market.

• 2018

  Open the first Avid hotelProduct launch

  Background

  After announcing the brand and beginning franchise rollout, IHG needed a completed property to demonstrate the new operating and design model.

  Action taken

  Champion Hotels opened an 87-room Avid hotel in Oklahoma City in August 2018.

  Aftermath

  The opening established the initial operating template and supported further franchise and development activity.

  Source

• 2017

  Create a dedicated midscale hotel brandStrategy

  Background

  IHG sought to expand its presence in the value-oriented midscale lodging segment with a concept designed around efficient development, standardized rooms, and essential services.

  Action taken

  IHG announced Avid Hotels in June 2017 and disclosed the brand name in September, establishing it as a distinct IHG hotel brand.

  Aftermath

  The concept progressed from franchise launch in Canada and Mexico to its first opening in Oklahoma City and subsequent development agreements in Germany and Mexico.

  Source

1. 1Avid Hotelsen.wikipedia.org