stigs

After a few underwhelming lists, this one is terrific for the urban traveler in North America. Nice to finally see a broad selection of above-average properties near major urban centers.

Like many have reiterated on here, people need to have realistic expectations during peak travel season. The elimination of ICs - which really have no business being on PB - is perfectly fine by me, especially if it means more properties near dynamic living cities with actual attractions as opposed to remote mining and farming towns.

As for individual properties, while a bit worn, you can't beat HIX Downtown Montreal during the world-class Jazz Festival or F1 race weekend, the most expensive weeks of the year in Montreal with every hotel sold out. Laval's HI is pleasant and a solid backup option for a quieter retreat with the potential to avoid the highways and take the subway downtown from the nearby station.

Also a very attractive Staybridge Suites in Oakville and a decent CP in downtown Hamilton. But a rough ride into Toronto with the ever-congested Gardiner reduced to two lanes.

Shifting to the U.S., there's the gorgeous CP at the Milwaukee Airport, a snazzy Indigo north of Chicago and top-rated Staybridge in Eagan, MN, just south of the MSP airport, all with rates north of $120/night. This will be a fun midwestern baseball/microbrewery tour, thank you IHG.

Common sense would dictate that the representation of hotels by country should be directly proportionate to the actual number of IHG properties there, not the local population. Nice to finally see IHG clamp down on the hoarders and punish regions known for re-selling rooms. Keep it up!