InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Anyone notice any real difference since brand revamp?

I have been staying more with IHG the latter half of this year. I strayed away because I was tired of second rate properties. I believed their revamp was marketing bunk when they came out with it. Lately I have stayed at a few new HI's and HIX, have really liked them and seem to see them more often.

My sample is small. Has this been the broad experience of others? Do you see a real change in the brands for the better?

I have not seen significant changes at most hotels with the re-launch; however, I never thought IHG properties were second rate - only some of them. I travel to many areas in the US and have stayed in many IHG properties (from IC to Candlewood). I have been happy with 3/4+ of the properties I have stayed in. I am very picky beforehand though (especially about hotel remodel and year built), so I will choose a competitor if it's been more recently renovated. Only once, I did not review my choices thoroughly enough beforehand and promptly departed the hotel after checking into my "upgraded" room!

Regarding the specifics of the re-launched hotels - they do have better quality bath amenities, and the pillows and bedding are more comfortable. I have stayed in only one property that I thought had top notch public area renovations. I was very impressed recently at the HI in Wilsonville, OR.

I have not seen significant changes at most hotels with the re-launch; however, I never thought IHG properties were second rate - only some of them.

Most IHG hotels are not second rate, they are second tier and therefore inexpensive. The HIs I stay in are better than La Quintas and their ilk, but are not more expensive, so for the tier of hotel that I am paying for, the value is excellent. It is not an IC or a Sheraton, but I am not expecting that level of service. You get what you pay for is as true in hotels as it is in other area of life. As long as I don't get less, I am content.

I love the new curved shower rails in selected HI's and CP's in the UK.

It's great to take a shower without the curtain clinging to your body and I look forward to seeing them fitted in more hotels.

http://www.relaunch.holidayinn.com/?lang=qe

I love the new curved shower rails in selected HI's and CP's in the UK.

It's great to take a shower without the curtain clinging to your body and I look forward to seeing them fitted in more hotels.

http://www.relaunch.holidayinn.com/?lang=qe

Yes, I forgot about the new shower curtain rails when I was thinking of the changes. All of the new HIX have had those, so I forgot it was on the list of updates.

I've been less than impressed with the newest "H" hotels. I see some decor changes but the rooms seem the same as before. I'm getting the impression that they lowered the standard for the "H" sometime in the last few months.

I don’t view the changes as significant, however the last few HIX’s I stayed at seemed to be a bit fresher and cleaner than usual.
Maybe just coincidence?

I think the real effect of the new branding is that a lot of the really awful Holiday Inns (you know those whose owners spent $5 total on remodeling since 1970) are no longer in the chain because they were unwilling/unable to spend the $$$ for the renovations to the new standard. The average decent HI didn't change much except for minor things like new paint and a curved shower rod - you know those things that we expect hotels to change on a regular basis anyway.

Will stay at a revamped HI or HIX. Will not stay at an old one.

I am a Hyatt and IHG whore :) so I have been to many I mean many IHG properties. It benefits my company because they generally cost alot less and it also benefit me with a ton of points in a chain with properties almost everywhere I go. That said, I think the new HI image has not translated to anything noticeablely better other than a refreshed lobby and new in-room signages. Most HIs are still crappy, yes second rate. However, I started to like HIE and Candlewood. HIEs are usually very modern, no-frill no-thrill kind of property. Candlewood properties are mostly new as well. Both of these brands impressed me. Naturally, with newer properties you have newer building and amenities and they compete well against other brands. As far as HI is concerned, they just dont stack up against other "full-service" hotels. I guess it all depend on how much money each hotel owner puts in. Some barely put up a new sign and refresh the lobby, so there is no difference in the room. HI Orange County Airport in Santa Ana is a perfect example of that. Also one thing HI fails to do is to have uniform perks for Platinum members across all locations. When I am at Hyatt, I can always expect room upgrade and access to Regency Club for breakfast and etc. With HI, I never know what to expect in terms of breakfast or other perks. I guess because I travel for work often, I am not really looking for a full sit down outlandish breakfast, but just good quality items for a quick "normal size" breakfast as I would have when I am home. And, a soda, water and some light snacks in the afternoon. But no such luck at HI. Some give a lot, some couldn't care less. I wish all HI have the same set up, so I don't have to be surprised in a bad way.

I think the real effect of the new branding is that a lot of the really awful Holiday Inns (you know those whose owners spent $5 total on remodeling since 1970) are no longer in the chain because they were unwilling/unable to spend the $$$ for the renovations to the new standard. The average decent HI didn't change much except for minor things like new paint and a curved shower rod - you know those things that we expect hotels to change on a regular basis anyway.

I assume you then never stayed at the HI in Charleston, West Virginia. I was told, that I was upgraded to the best room on the exec floor. The wallpaper was wet and mould everywhere in the bath but also in the room. I was absolutely speechless. As I arrived late and originally intended to stay there for 5 nights, I left immediately the next morning. This hotel needs to be withdrawn from IHG branding. Staff didn't understand it at all.

I assume you then never stayed at the HI in Charleston, West Virginia. ... This hotel needs to be withdrawn from IHG branding. Staff didn't understand it at all.

No I haven't stayed at every Holiday Inn. I just noticed that a few of the hotels that I knew were really awful (from a facility standpoint) did not rebrand and are now Ramada's and Rodeway's. I also checked the Priority club website for hotels in Charleston WV. Curiously, it does not identify any of the 4 Holiday Inns (and HIX's) within 30 miles of Charleston WV as rebranded hotels.

Like mnredfox, I am now more tempted to stay at a revamped HI, whereas in the past I always avoided them like the plague.

That said, I haven't actually stepped into any of the revamped HIs so I'm not sure just how much better they are now. But I gotta say their marketing strategy is working wonders.

Lobbies are nicer, rooms are nicer, but beds now have blankets or bedspreads with too little weight.

Lobbies are nicer, rooms are nicer, but beds now have blankets or bedspreads with too little weight.

I thought that finally they have bedspreads that don't weigh too much, especial in the south florida market. They used to strangle you with bedding! Finally now it is suitable.

Up in the northwestern US I thought it was perfect as well, with an extra blanket and warm.

No I haven't stayed at every Holiday Inn. I just noticed that a few of the hotels that I knew were really awful (from a facility standpoint) did not rebrand and are now Ramada's and Rodeway's. I also checked the Priority club website for hotels in Charleston WV. Curiously, it does not identify any of the 4 Holiday Inns (and HIX's) within 30 miles of Charleston WV as rebranded hotels.

I went finally to one of the HIX there, which was pretty new and clean. Can't remember the name of the suburg. It was a difference like day and night to that dreadfull downtown HI, which was one of my worst hotel experiences ever had, even worse than a crappy place I've stayed once in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

There's marginally less vomit stains in the New York City locations, but other than that I haven't noticed much.