Holiday Inn Express innovates for today's 'Smart Traveller'

Modelled on guest feedback, the brand’s ‘Next Generation guest experience’ has been developed to meet the changing needs of today’s ‘Smart Travellers’, who, according to Holiday Inn Express, appreciate a functional and thoughtful design with an efficient and friendly service. To appease today’s connected traveller, lobbies, dining areas and guest rooms have been redesigned, while the brand’s service delivery has been completely revamped and a new food and beverage concept has been launched. The upgrades allow "guests to enjoy the hotel’s most innovative and efficient smart technological solutions at every stage of their stay," the group said in a press release.

Next Generation guest room The new Next Generation rooms have been designed to balance home comforts with smart design features. They aim to provide guests with a flexible room designed to better support their routines. New features include Smart TVs, which enable guests to stream their own media from a personal device or log in to apps such as Netflix using the hotel’s free Wi-Fi; a larger bed with a padded, noise-reducing headboard; and a flexible work/rest corner. Further innovations adopted by Holiday Inn Express include the option for guests to view their room and its location via a tablet, as well as a new Express Café & Bar offering quick and simple food. The concept will be introduced across Europe and adapted for new-build hotels and properties undergoing renovation. The plan is for at least one in every four of the brand’s European properties to feature it within the next three years, starting with Holiday Inn Express London – Park Royal, Holiday Inn Express Grimsby, Holiday Inn Express London – Ealing and Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth – North. Mike Greenup, Vice President, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brand Family, Europe, IHG said: “A hotel room is no longer just a place to sleep and our approach to technology and service starts with understanding our guests and their needs throughout their booking experience and stay. This investment in guest insight and our hotels is enabling us to stay ahead of the game.”