Each chain has its older "legacy" brand that simply does not speak to today's younger generations of business travelers. I think the targeted clientele may be baby boomers who've been at it since the 1970s, who know and prefer "their" brands, and are retiring in droves now that their 401k accounts have mostly recovered since the recession. So maybe we'll see some more chain consolidation or rebranding in coming years?

IHG: Crowne Plaza, some older Holiday Inns
CP is a festival of maroon and cat vomit beige color schemes. Most are forgettable, but I have to give IHG some credit for the LAX renovation - lobby is nice and modern at least. Must be due to high number of international guests. As I write this, I'm in Allentown, PA at HI and it is straight out of the 80s...dark, low ceilings, brown carpets, thin small windows, tiny bathroom.

Marriott: legacy Marriott brand remains slow-to-change in comparison to evolution of Renaissance, SH Suites, intro of AC Hotels, and even some modern Fairfield Inns. Airport locations are usually the worst offenders.

Starwood: Sheraton. They should do more re-branding like they did with the old Sheraton at Colony Square in Atlanta, which is now a W. Even ATL residents go there for dinner/drinks, which I can assure you they didn't when it was a Sheraton.

Hilton: Doubletree
Worst one I've been to was downtown Omaha. That was in 2009 or so, but what an awful place. Dark, very brown, musty, no individual a/c control in room and HOT in summer. Tripadvisor reviews suggest it hasn't changed.