In general (and this is a big generalisation), Holiday Inn Express properties are usually new build, almost always less than 3 years old. That is the good news. The bad news is that most are built in a modular fashion (ie the rooms are built in a factory and slotted together like Lego) and therefore very much the same. More good news is that there a lot of city centre locations, assuming you are visiting cities.

Most of the Holiday Inn's in the UK were built in the 1970's as Forte Posthouse hotels, and when Forte was broken up most Posthouse's became HI's. You should therefore look carefully on tripadvisor.com when booking a HI in the UK to make sure it has had a recent refurbishment. Many are on motorway junctions and ring roads rather than in city centres.

Staying in a HIX in the UK can be great value for points - 10k per night for a room that will usually be selling for around GBP £50.

And never forget that the UK has some of the worst hotels in the world! Outside London there are probably 3 world class properties, none in northern England. Prepare to be disappointed and then you won't be!