Holiday Inn was founded by Kemmons Wilson, a Memphis, Tennessee native inspired to build his own motel after a disappointing motel stay during a family road trip. His hotel was initially named the Holiday Inn by the original architect Eddie Bluestein as a joke, in reference to the 1942 film Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The first Holiday Inn opened in Nashville in August 1952 as Holiday Inn Hotel Courts. Today, as one of the world’s most popular hotel brands under Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Holiday Inn is the most recognizable tier of service. It has two distinct types: high-rise, full-service plaza hotels and low-rise, full-service hotels. The former also included many high-rises with round, central-core construction—instantly recognizable from the traditional 1970s model. Both offer a restaurant, pools at most locations, room service, an exercise room, and functional but comfortable rooms.

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The Good

Hotel types
Accommodations
Rewards program

A unique aspect of Holiday Inn is the fact that they offer a wide range of hotel "types" in an effort to help as many travelers as possible. For example, some Holiday Inn locations are labeled as luxurious four star hotels while other a more standard service for a lower price. Holiday Inn an ever-expanding global brand with 3 people checking into a Holiday Inn hotel every second. With such high traffic moving in and out of their hotels, Holiday Inn works to provide their guests with all the necessary services and amenities. They offer guests friendly amenities, such as:

on-site restaurants and bars
free local and toll-free calls from your room
access to business services like printing and faxing

Holiday hotels offer accommodations catered to both business and casual travelers' specific interests and needs. Examples:

Airport hotels
Beach hotels
Holidone/WaterPark hotels
Pet-friendly hotels

Positive feedback from guests typically consists of:

Good breakfast (hot eggs, sausage, and potatoes, yogurt, fruit, cereal, juice, and coffee
Clean rooms
Comfortable beds
Pool is nice and warm
Staff was really friendly and accommodating
Decent price

The Holiday Inn brand also spans into Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Resorts. While associated together, each "type" of Holiday Inn does somewhat differ in price, services, and other amenities. This reach of brands allows Holiday Inn guests the opportunity to find the right property for their traveling needs. With thousands of Holiday Inn properties servicing a range of guest types, the Holiday Inn rewards program is something that can benefit the frequent traveler. Each qualified stay allows guests to accumulate points. The number of points earned may vary depending on the hotel rating and how much the nightly rate is. Once a guest has earned a certain number of points, they are then eligible to redeem their rewards for free night stays or other rewards.

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The Bad

Varying amenities
Complaints

Holiday Inn offers many nice modern full-service amenities, but there are people who would beg to differ. For example, amenities can vary per room. One room may have a mini-fridge while another does not. A few other concerns and/or common complaints:

no free breakfast and the breakfast buffet was $12.00
dated design and amenities. Needs an upgrade
rooms not ready on time of arrival
pool is right next to where breakfast is served

The hotel's saving grace seems to be the super-friendly and helpful staff. Most guests claim that they would stay there again, but would check out some of the neighboring hotels first if they are looking for more individualized attention or more luxurious services.

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The Bottom Line

Holiday Inn Hotels & Suites is a leading global midscale brand with 3 people checking in to a hotel every second. A major highlight of Holiday Inn hotels is that they're very kid-friendly. Kids eat and stay free. Another highlight is special accommodation hotels, i.e. pet-friendly hotels. There seems to be some issues with rooms being ready on time and accommodating "booking mishaps" appropriately. Some hotels fall short of its updated, modern public image. Guests that stay at Holiday Inn can typically expect the following from their service:

Varied level of hotel types: guests can choose between staying at a more up-scale location or a more economy style hotel.
Standard amenities: guests can enjoy a continental breakfast, pool, fitness center, and other typical services
Locations: with so many Holiday Inn hotels or resorts to choose from, guests will likely find a property where they are traveling
Possible booking issues: this is a common complaint for frequent travelers due to a high volume of guests

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User Reviews

Star Rating

4.4

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292 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

54%

4 grade

32%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

1 grade

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Dale Ash Sandy, UT

We never go wrong with a Holiday Inn. This great hotel chain is responsive and customer focused. Years ago they had a promotion which gave you a week's free stay and 2 round trip tickets anywhere in the world. We enjoyed our trip to Europe immensely! I wrote a letter to Holiday Inn's CEO in the early 80's regarding the lack of personal grooming items in the hotel. I forgot a comb and had to go out in frigid weather in Northern Minnesota to find a comb at a convenience store. Within weeks they had signs up in all of their hotels saying that if you forgot any personal grooming items, they would be available at the front desk. That's customer focus!! Our children loved the St. George Holiday Inn with an indoor/outdoor pool you can swim from indoors to outdoors and back again. Always great value, solid comfort, and tremendous customer focus!

8 years ago

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Julia Halliday Pleasant Grove, UT

My family's go-to hotel is Holiday Inn. We have stayed there many times, and usually no matter where the hotel is located, Holiday Inn always has great service! The employees are very kind and accommodating for my family's personal needs. Their breakfast is always delicious, our favorite part is their yummy cinnamon rolls. My dad says there is no where else that has better cinnamon rolls than Holiday Inn. Some Holiday Inn hotels have changed their recipe for cinnamon rolls, but they still have everything else. Holiday Inn hotels are always clean, and smell nice. A good place to stay if you're unsure of where to go!

7 years ago

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Brittney Butts Gainesville, FL

Went to a holiday inn resort in Panama City Beach and had a great time! They had events to keep the kids busy they also had a bar with amazing drinks. After a long day of swimming and relaxing you could order food from the little restaurant they had there defiantly cant wait for next summer to go back!

4 years ago

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LeAnn Baytown, TX

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Pensacola on the beach. The restaurant and bars were happening! I think everyone there was having a great time. The pool was nice too. This is a great place to take your kids! We will definitely be going back!

5 years ago

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Jadon Barre Dallas, TX

Holiday Inn was the most enjoyable stay I’ve had in a hotel. I was extremely happy with the care put into my room before I entered. It was as though I had stepped into a brand new room just for me. The staff was very polite and friendly. It was a great stay for my trip out of town.

6 years ago

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Anita pea Dallas, TX

The Holiday Inn hotels were a great choice when going out of state. The employees there were always nice and the maids always clean up the room perfectly. It looked like no one was there. The prices were also amazing and I would recommend them to anyone

6 years ago

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Jake Baleyev Madison, MS

Absolutely the best experience I have had at a hotel, was at a holiday inn. Always amazing service, good parking usually, located in good areas of the city(very safe). Actual service was very good compared to competition, beds are soft, TVs have good channels, bathrooms are high quality.

6 years ago

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Kymberlee Yack Orem, UT

my family loves holiday inn. we've been point members for years. growing up this is the only place we stayed on business trips, and now that i'm old enough doing my own trips this is the only place i will stay. it's affordable, kid friendly, and the service is always great.

7 years ago

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Victoria Matthews Waller

So-so. Rooms were average and slightly musty smelling. Halls were slightly warmer than comfortable and musty smelling. Refurnishings seemed slightly old and faded. Bar area was contemporary and upbeat. People who worked there were friendly and helpful. The people there semed to want you to have a good time. Pool was small; had to have valet service; unloading and loading car was difficult as to where to park; paid to have pet with us'-policy was changed to not having pets allowed a couple of months before our visit and we were called to be told that we couldn't have our little fifteen pound dog with us so we had to make other arrangements for him, and though and behold another customer was allowed to bring a simular-size dog and they had made there booking months later than us. Breakfast was okay, but was included in the total bill which seemed rather high. We booked a room for three days.

7 years ago

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Doyal Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

Holiday Inn's are probably one of my more favorite of the affordable choices for hotels. They are always clean, and the beds have always been comfortable. When they are an option, they are definitely one of our top choices while traveling.

9 years ago

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Christina Lockett Frederick, MD

Holiday Inn was a kind community of staff that helped me and my family book a room for our family vacation. They took in calls I had last minute scheduled to and I was very appreciated of it. Their rooms were nicely cleaned and I love how the staff gave extra towels when I asked and they were kind to me and my family during check in and check out hours.

5 years ago

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Stephanie Love Herriman, UT

We love the holiday inn. There has been times I have taken my kids to the holiday inn in my same city to just get away for the weekend. They have great deals and awesome customer service. I’ve even had my kids’ birthday parties at their hotel. They have a theater room too. The pool and hot tub was a big hit and the complimentary breakfast. I will definitely keep staying at the holiday inn.

6 years ago

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take7 Sandy, UT

We almost always use Holiday Inn because my husband gets points through all his travels for work as well. There is usually always one we can find close by to wherever we are going. They give us late checkout. They are clean and give extra supplies when we ask. It's clean. Wifi is always ready and available for us. The front office is always nice and helpful. When there's breakfast it is even better!

6 years ago

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Donna Williams Phoenix, AZ

Love Holiday Inn. I have stayed several times at Holiday Inn Express across the nation and I have always been impressed. The beds are clean and comfortable. The pillows are divine! In the morning, their breakfast buffet is hot and ready and delicious. Excellent customer service. It is the first place I go to when I want a hotel. The pricing is excellent.

7 years ago

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Cade Boudreaux , FL

Holiday Inn is a very great hotel. I’ve never had a bad experience in a Holiday Inn. The free breakfast is also amazing just as all hotels and the staff was very welcoming and were able to solve all my problems

6 years ago

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JDWain Tallahassee, FL

I always stay at the holiday inn when travelling for work, i find that you cant beat their prices and consistency every-time i stay there. The breakfast is always great and so are the staff members

6 years ago

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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

Holiday Inn is a favorite of mine. They always offer me great rates, clean rooms, and fantastic locations near downtowns and events. They are central in many bigger cities so staying at a Holiday Inn is a no brainer.

6 years ago

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Brittany Wilkinson Herriman, UT

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn a few times. It makes for a reasonable vacation while traveling with kids. We have enjoyed our stay. They have been clean and the customer service was good.

6 years ago

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McKinzie Figueroa Provo, UT

The best thing about Holiday is the value that you get for the price. It may not be the nicest hotel out there, but it is great for what you are paying for. Every time I have gone it has been clean and we have never had any problems.

7 years ago

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Nishita McLean, VA

Can always count on Holiday Inn's have stayed in theme even during my Scotland trip and multiple times during my visit to San Francisco and Buffalo. Very accommodating, comfortable, money's worth and good locations.

7 years ago

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Jacinda E Sandy, UT

This is the hotel that my family and I stayed at the most when we went on family vacations. I liked how clean their rooms are. The maid services were always great. And there was always an ice machine close by keep our water cold.

7 years ago

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Teri Hatch Maricopa, AZ

The facility was well decorated, clean with nice amenities. The local area was a little scary, but California seems to have a lot of homeless people on the streets no matter where you go.

7 years ago

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Keri North Las Vegas, NV

Great place to live on vacation or traveling. They provided everything we needed when we was pulled over because the roads were closed due to the snow. Very good accommodations.

7 years ago

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Charlotte Ash Sandy, UT

We have enjoyed staying at Holiday Inn for many years!! It was great to travel all over and have a great place with fun swimming pools and great breakfast to enjoy in the mornings. Its a great family hotel. They had great service and good perks.

8 years ago

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Allen Bronson Idaho Falls, ID

Stayed in a Holiday Inn in Porto Alegre Brazil. That I can remember this was my first time in a Holiday Inn. We had a late flight that got us to the hotel at around 3:00 am. It took about 1/2 hour to check in. The check in staff was not very friendly. We got to the room and the water was not working to the toilet so you could not flush and barely a trickle was coming out of the sink. I asked for another room and they said they were full and did not have another room. So I asked them to come and fix the water. It ended up being something with the water pressure or pressurizing the line. They got it working around 4:30. We were tired from flying all day and just wanted to sleep. Don't know why water was not working before we got there. if it doesn't work in that room don't rent that room. The room was not that great either. The rooms were small. The sheets looked dirty. I expected way more from Holiday Inn. Very disappointing.

8 years ago

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Susan Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

I would say for affordable hotels that Holiday Inn is one of the best ones. The one's I have been to have been very nice. The last one I stayed in had a really pretty swimming pool and hot tub that we really enjoyed. The staff has always been very pleasant as well.

9 years ago

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J B Sandy, UT

I can't even count the number of Holiday Inns I've stayed at over the years. They are one of my first choices when traveling if I think my plans might change. They have great change and cancelation policies that allow a lot more flexibility than most.

4 years ago Edited January 24, 2022

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roberto arcia Columbia, MO

I have been staying in various Holiday Inns for the past five years during my travels. They are an amazing place to stay as they are well-known and have locations in almost all cities. I will continue to be staying with them, especially due to their reward system!

4 years ago

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Kaylee Gay Columbia, MO

My family has been staying at Holiday Inn for years. It is always very clean, affordable, and has big room sizes! We have a family of 7 so finding a hotel room that can fit all of us can be a struggle but the Holiday Inn success! The kids also love the free cookies at around 7 PM every time we stay there.

4 years ago

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Anne Sainsbury Orem, UT

I love staying at the Holiday Inn. It is one of the hotels that I look for when traveling because I have found that the price is typically on the more affordable end while the quality is top notch. They are clean, respectful, and helpful. I have never had a bad experience here and will continue using them!

5 years ago

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Vicki Tran Long Beach, MS

When I first entered the booked hotel, it smelled great and the room was great. The hotel had a complementary kureg machine where you could brew your own coffee for free, there was even water in the reception room you can pour for yourself. The price of the hotel was great too for the upstanding quality of the hotel.

6 years ago

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Tiauna Anderson Salt Lake City, UT

I recently stayed for a work trip and love the Holiday Inn. The rooms were clean, the front desk was quick to bring me extra towels and a pillow, and internet access was fast. If you are looking for a clean and comfortable room, this is definitely the place to stay!

6 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Natalie Drewery ,

We love staying at Holiday Inn hotels! No matter where you are you know that you are getting a great hotel for a great price. Our favorite location is in Stratford London! Every time we visit England we make sure to book there as we have an incredible full English breakfast to start our day and it is such a convenient location.

6 years ago

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Stacey Price, UT

I like that there are Holiday Inns all over. I have stayed at many and they have been a good experience. I love the ones that have a pool, because my son loves to swim. Thats what i usually look for in a hotel. Good experiences so far.

6 years ago

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Michelle Rios Ogden, UT

We travel to soccer tournaments and have stayed at several Holiday Inns. The rooms are the perfect fit for our family. The kids love the breakfast options and that they can sit with their friends at their own table. The pools are the best for the kids to burn some energy and make the kids feel like they're on a great vacation.

6 years ago

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James Conder Eagle Mountain, UT

A few years back I started traveling for work on a weekly basis and my company would put us up in a Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn express all the time. Amazing breakfast, great room, great customer service and even though I'm not traveling anymore for work, my family and I continue to stay at this hotel because of the amenities, and customer service

6 years ago

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Bill Nelson Sandy, UT

When I’m traveling I like staying at a Holiday Inn. Rooms are clean and well maintained. Love having a gym I can use to after a long flight or car drive. The indoor pool is perfect for getting the kids calmed down after a long time cooped up in a car.

6 years ago

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AmyConder22 Eagle Mountain, UT

My husband starting travel and had so many hotel points that we always just stay at a holiday inn. We have loved everyone that we have stayed in as they are clean and usually serve breakfast. Now that is all that we will stay in.

6 years ago

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kayshel Herriman, UT

I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express all across the country. I know I can always count on them to be consistantly good, clean and comfortable. Anytime there is one available where I need a place to stay, I book a room there.

6 years ago

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Reckholdt Draper, UT

We have a few places across the country that we visit often and we always seem to stay at The Holiday Inn. We know it will be nice and clean and we won’t have any problems. Their customer service is always great and our kids always enjoy the pools.

6 years ago

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Madison Kneiss Long Beach, MS

Every Holiday Inn I have stayed in has been clean, affordable, and had great staff. The one time I had an issue and had to call corporate they were very fast at solving the problem. Whenever we go on vacation we always stay at Holiday Inn, would not stay anywhere else

6 years ago

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Tori Miller Draper, UT

The staff was very friendly and helped us get into a room that was needed for our family. They looked into any discounts that they could offer and got us a rate that we were very happy with. The breakfast was fast and easy. The room was very clean and had recently been updated.

8 years ago

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Mauri Miller

We have stayed at many Holiday Inns. We have stayed at them all over the country. We have also stayed at them with very large groups. The workers are very friendly and welcoming. They are also very kid friendly. They also have very clean and neat rooms when you arrive. We love Holiday Inn.

8 years ago

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Richard Danby Rexburg, ID

Holiday Inns are average hotels. They have clean rooms and good breakfasts. The staff is nice. They are willing you give you any extra things that you forgot, like a toothbrush. Generous chain.

5 years ago

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OwenE. Norcross, GA

Had some great experience with the staff here when I stayed here with my family for Mardi Gras. They helped us finding local attractions and restaurants.

6 years ago

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Larson Riverton, UT

We went on a trip to California, and we stayed in Holiday Inn. The swimming pool was very warm and we had so much fun in it. The beds were very comfy and we all slept good. I recommend going to Holiday Inn.

6 years ago

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Carolyn Hyde

Reward program is awesome! Rooms are always clean and customer service is top notch. Better Menues for room service and more coffee options in room

7 years ago

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Andy Cruz Gilbert, AZ

So they tend to have really nice breakfasts and the rooms tend to be clean and tidy. Never had anything lost or stolen. However I have found old cigarettes on the floor in the bathrooms before.

7 years ago

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Pat Ohagan

I have stayed in Holiday Inns/Holiday Inn Express sinve the early 70s when I started traveling for business. I got hooked on their frequent stayer program and use it too today

7 years ago

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Patrick Orem, UT

I stayed in Pocatello at Holiday Inn. It had everything you would expect. It also had a pool and hot tub which was fun. The wifi was really good too. Highly recommend.

8 years ago