Holiday Inn
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA globally recognized full-service and limited-service hotel brand operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Last updated October 7, 2026
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Overview
Holiday Inn is an American-origin hotel brand owned and franchised by IHG Hotels & Resorts. It was established in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1952 by Kemmons Wilson after a family road trip convinced him that roadside lodging in the United States was inconsistent, poorly maintained, and often unsuitable for families. Wilson’s first property, Holiday Inn Hotel Courts, combined standardized rooms with features such as reliable parking and family-oriented amenities. The name was proposed humorously by architect Eddie Bluestein, referring to the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn, but it became one of the most successful hospitality brand names of the twentieth century. The early Holiday Inn system helped reshape American roadside travel. Wilson worked with Wallace E. Johnson to build additional properties around Memphis and then expanded through franchising and standardized operating practices. The chain grew from dozens of locations in the 1950s to hundreds in the 1960s and more than a thousand properties worldwide by the early 1970s. Its large roadside signs, centralized reservations, consistent room standards, and broad geographic coverage made the brand highly visible to motorists. Holiday Inn became an important model for later branded lodging chains, including Ramada, Quality Inn, Howard Johnson, and Best Western. The company also developed supporting infrastructure and adjacent businesses. In 1965 it introduced Holidex, a centralized reservation system that allowed guests to arrange stays at other Holiday Inn properties. It later used toll-free telephone services, operated a training hotel and conference center, and experimented with campgrounds, transportation, shipping, nursing homes, resorts, and entertainment ventures. The brand’s historic roadside identity was closely associated with the so-called Great Sign, a tall illuminated sign with a changeable marquee and a prominent arrow. By the 1980s, changing travel patterns, stronger competition, and the aging of many original motel properties weakened Holiday Inn’s former dominance. Holiday Inns, Inc. became Holiday Corporation in 1985 as the company diversified into additional hotel and entertainment brands. Bass PLC acquired Holiday Corporation in 1988 and the remaining domestic Holiday Inn interests in 1990. Bass later became Six Continents, and the hotel assets were incorporated into InterContinental Hotels Group in 2003. Under IHG, Holiday Inn was repositioned as a contemporary, internationally franchised hotel brand. Holiday Inn Express was introduced in 1990 as a more limited-service and value-oriented format, while other extensions included Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Club Vacations. IHG announced a worldwide relaunch in 2007, emphasizing consistent service standards, redesigned arrival areas, updated bedding and bathrooms, and modernization or removal of many older motel properties. The relaunch was substantially completed by 2010. Today, Holiday Inn encompasses full-service hotels, hotel-and-suite properties, resorts, and related vacation offerings. Holiday Inn Express generally serves guests seeking convenient, limited-service accommodation near highways, airports, and suburban commercial areas, while the core Holiday Inn brand typically offers restaurants, meeting facilities, pools at many locations, fitness facilities, and room configurations suitable for business and leisure travelers. The brand operates through a mixture of franchising, licensing, and hotel management agreements. IHG reported more than 1,100 Holiday Inn-branded locations in 2018, with the broader Holiday Inn family extending across numerous countries. Recent development has included expansion in South Asia and a 2024 cooperation agreement with Novum Hospitality that is expected to place many German properties under Holiday Inn-related brands, including Holiday Inn - the niu.
History
Holiday Inn began in Memphis, Tennessee, where Kemmons Wilson sought to create a more predictable roadside lodging experience after finding family travel accommodations inadequate. The first Holiday Inn Hotel Courts opened in August 1952 on Summer Avenue, then a major route toward Nashville. Wilson partnered with Wallace E. Johnson and quickly added properties on roads entering Memphis. The chain expanded through a combination of company development and franchising, with standardized signage, room expectations, and operating practices helping travelers recognize the brand across the United States. Growth accelerated during the 1950s and 1960s. Holiday Inn had approximately 30 locations by 1957, 50 by 1958, 100 by 1959, 500 by 1964, and 1,000 by 1968. The system’s scale made it one of the defining lodging networks of the American automobile era. Its Great Sign, a large illuminated roadside structure with a changeable marquee, became a powerful advertising device. The chain also developed Holidex in 1965, giving guests access to centralized reservations across the network, and later added a call center using toll-free telephone services. Holiday Inn entered commercial arrangements beyond lodging, including a major 1963 agreement with Gulf Oil under which Gulf credit cards could be used at participating hotels and Gulf stations were developed near selected properties. The company acquired TCO Industries in 1969, bringing transportation and shipping interests into its corporate portfolio, and later pursued businesses including training facilities, campgrounds, resorts, nursing homes, and entertainment. These activities broadened the parent company even as the hotel brand remained its principal public identity. The company’s market position became more difficult in the 1980s. Older roadside properties faced competition from newer chains and changing consumer expectations. Holiday Inns, Inc. changed its name to Holiday Corporation in 1985 to reflect a broader portfolio. Bass PLC acquired the corporation in 1988 and obtained the remaining domestic Holiday Inn interests in 1990 after Wilson sold his stake. Bass launched Holiday Inn Express in 1990, creating a lower-service companion format, and developed or acquired further brands during the decade. Holiday Inn Select was aimed at higher-end business travelers, while Crowne Plaza was separated into a distinct brand in 1994. Bass acquired InterContinental in 1998, sold its brewing operations in 2000, and adopted the name Six Continents. In 2003, the hotel assets became part of InterContinental Hotels Group. IHG subsequently sought to modernize Holiday Inn and reduce inconsistency among inherited properties. A next-generation prototype opened in Georgia in 2003, and a worldwide relaunch was announced in 2007. The relaunch introduced updated physical standards and guest experiences; many obsolete motels were renovated, demolished, closed, or converted to other brands. By the end of 2010, the global relaunch program was substantially complete. The current Holiday Inn family includes the core full-service brand, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, and Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Holiday Inn properties generally serve business and leisure travelers with restaurants, meeting space, fitness facilities, and family-oriented accommodation. Express hotels usually emphasize convenient locations and simplified service, although many newer properties provide hot breakfast and a broader amenity package. Holiday Inn remains an IHG brand operated primarily through franchise and management relationships, with international expansion continuing in markets such as Bangladesh and Germany.
- 2024
German expansion agreement announced
[1]IHG announced a cooperation agreement with Novum Hospitality to expand Holiday Inn-related brands in Germany.
- 2022
Dhaka City Centre opens
[1]Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre opened in Bangladesh.
- 2010
Global relaunch substantially completed
[1]The major phase of the Holiday Inn relaunch was completed, with many legacy motels removed or upgraded.
- 2007
Worldwide brand relaunch announced
[1]IHG announced a global modernization program covering service, design, arrival, bedding, and bathroom standards.
- 2003
Holiday Inn becomes part of IHG
[1]After the restructuring of Six Continents, Holiday Inn became part of InterContinental Hotels Group.
- 1990
Holiday Inn Express launches
[1]Bass introduced Holiday Inn Express as a complementary limited-service hotel format.
- 1988
Bass acquires Holiday Corporation
[1]UK-based Bass PLC acquired Holiday Corporation and began a new phase of corporate ownership.
- 1985
Holiday Inns becomes Holiday Corporation
[1]The corporate name changed to reflect the company’s widening portfolio of hotel and entertainment brands.
- 1968
Network reaches 1,000 locations
[1]The chain reached approximately 1,000 locations during its rapid expansion period.
- 1965
Holidex reservation system introduced
[1]Holiday Inn introduced a centralized reservation network linking properties across the chain.
Products and positioning
Mainstream and midscale hospitality, combining dependable branded accommodation with family-friendly, business, and leisure amenities.
Full-service hotels · 1952
Holiday Inn
The core Holiday Inn format provides mainstream full-service lodging for business, leisure, and family travelers. Properties commonly include a restaurant or bar, meeting space, fitness facilities, and a swimming pool, although amenities vary by hotel. The portfolio includes urban hotels, roadside properties, and purpose-built contemporary locations.
Limited-service hotels · 1990
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Express is the network’s more streamlined and value-oriented format. Locations are often near highways, airports, suburban business areas, and other convenient transport corridors. The concept traditionally emphasized simplified service and breakfast, while newer properties may add meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, pools, and fitness centers.
Resorts · 1991
Holiday Inn Resort
Holiday Inn Resort properties apply the Holiday Inn identity to leisure destinations. They generally provide the amenities of a full-service Holiday Inn while emphasizing family vacations, recreation, and destination travel. The resort designation functions largely as a positioning and marketing extension rather than a wholly separate service system.
Full-service hotels and suites
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
This format combines standard guest rooms with suites and maintains the broader service package associated with Holiday Inn. It is designed for travelers who need additional space, including families, longer-stay guests, and business travelers.
Vacation ownership and resort accommodation · 2008
Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations offers resort accommodation, often in villa or suite configurations, with a membership model resembling flexible timeshare ownership. The offering is aimed primarily at families and operates mainly in the United States and Mexico.
Business-oriented full-service hotels
Holiday Inn Select
Holiday Inn Select was an upper-range format focused on business travelers, frequently near international airports. IHG announced its discontinuation in 2006; remaining hotels could continue under existing licenses, but the name was generally phased out or converted to other IHG brands.
Regional hotels
Holiday Inn Garden Court
Holiday Inn Garden Court was a regional concept found in Europe and South Africa. Its properties were intended to reflect local architectural and cultural characteristics. The format is no longer generally presented as an active Holiday Inn brand.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Holiday Inn Brand Relaunch
Global
IHG launched a multi-year modernization effort focused on consistent service, redesigned welcome experiences, signature bedding and bathroom products, and improved hotel environments.
Outcome. The program was substantially completed by 2010 and removed or upgraded many older motel properties.
- 1972The World’s Innkeeper
International
As the chain exceeded 1,400 properties worldwide, its messaging shifted toward an international hospitality identity.
Outcome. Reinforced Holiday Inn’s global scale during its period of greatest expansion.
- 1960The Nation’s Innkeeper
United States
Holiday Inn used a national-host positioning to emphasize its broad coverage and consistent roadside lodging experience.
Outcome. Strengthened the brand’s association with nationwide travel.
- 1957Holiday Inn of America
United States
The chain promoted itself as Holiday Inn of America while expanding its domestic network and building recognition among automobile travelers.
Outcome. Supported rapid national brand awareness and franchise growth.
Brand decisions
2024
Expand through the Novum Hospitality agreementStrategyBackground
IHG pursued a substantial increase in its German franchise presence.
Action taken
IHG announced a franchise and cooperation agreement with Novum Hospitality covering the rebranding of many existing properties into Holiday Inn-related formats.
Aftermath
The agreement is expected to expand the brand family in Germany, including the Holiday Inn - the niu concept.
2008
Enter vacation ownershipStrategyBackground
IHG sought to extend Holiday Inn into family-oriented resort and vacation-ownership accommodation.
Action taken
IHG announced Holiday Inn Club Vacations through a strategic alliance with the Family of Orange Lake Resorts.
Aftermath
The brand gained a resort and membership-oriented extension concentrated in the United States and Mexico.
2007
Approve a worldwide brand relaunchGeneration changeBackground
IHG faced inconsistent standards across a large inherited network, including many aging motel properties.
Action taken
IHG introduced new service, design, arrival, bedding, and bathroom standards and required properties to participate in a global relaunch.
Aftermath
The relaunch was substantially completed by 2010; many older motels were renovated, closed, demolished, or converted.
2003
Introduce the next-generation hotel prototypeGeneration changeBackground
Aging properties and increased competition required a more contemporary physical and service model.
Action taken
A prototype hotel opened in Duluth, Georgia, featuring updated rooms, a bistro-style restaurant, and an indoor pool.
Aftermath
The prototype informed the wider modernization of the Holiday Inn estate.
1990
Launch Holiday Inn ExpressProduct launchBackground
The company sought a more economical and limited-service format alongside the traditional full-service Holiday Inn.
Action taken
Bass launched Holiday Inn Express.
Aftermath
Express became a major complementary brand serving travelers seeking simpler accommodation and convenient locations.
1985
Broaden the corporate portfolioStrategyBackground
The company had expanded beyond the original Holiday Inn lodging concept into multiple hotel, entertainment, and related businesses.
Action taken
Holiday Inns, Inc. changed its corporate name to Holiday Corporation.
Aftermath
The broader corporate structure prepared the business for later acquisitions and brand restructuring.
1965
Build a centralized reservation networkStrategyBackground
A rapidly expanding hotel system needed to let guests locate and reserve rooms across multiple properties.
Action taken
Holiday Inn introduced Holidex, linking properties through a centralized reservation process.
Aftermath
The system became an important operational and customer-service advantage for a geographically distributed chain.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
At least 15% savings on IHG Hotels & Resorts stays for Velocity Frequent Flyer members around 2027 Mardi Gras[2]
As part of Virgin Australia's Pride Flights package for Sydney's 2027 Mardi Gras, eligible Velocity Frequent Flyer members booking accommodation around the event can save at least 15% on qualifying stays with IHG Hotels & Resorts. Participating hotel brands include InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Holiday Inn opens new 106-room hotel near Denver International Airport[3]
Holiday Inn opened a new 106-room hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites Commerce City-Denver Airport, in Commerce City, Colorado, less than 10 minutes from Denver International Airport. The property is the first newly built hotel to showcase Holiday Inn's redesigned lobby concept, which combines the front desk, ordering counter and full-service bar in one centralized hub.
Sources3 sources
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