I think it really depends on the region of travel. In Asia (specifically, Japan), I've found the Crowne Plazas have a very defined (albeit not overly exciting) and consistent brand identity. They are consistently above the level of any Holiday Inn and below the level of all the Intercontinentals in the country. I.e., exactly where the Crowne Plaza brand should fit within the IHG family of brands. There just seems to me much less consistency with the Crowne Plaza brand in the U.S.

-FlyerBeek