Originally Posted by
Lorian
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I also think there are two types of HIX in the UK at least. There are "Hoilday Inn Express" which seem to be ICH owned properties and then "Express by Holiday Inn" which I think are generally franchises. Maybe I'm wrong. Certainly the one in Birmingham city centre I was at last week was owned by M&B (recommended, too).
I think the name differences are artifacts of regional variation at different points in the history of the brand that are going away.
Holiday Inn Express was the name used in the US; Express by Holiday Inn was the name used in the UK launch of the brand. Now, with the
relaunch, all of the properties will have the same name: Holiday Inn Express.
As of January 2007, IHG only owned one HIX--in Essen, Germany. Since then, they've sold more properties, and now only own or lease 16 properties in total, worldwide! They manage 585 properties (which means in general that the GM at least is an IHG employee) and the other 3500+ properties are independent franchises.