Our guide to the IHG hotel brands

With 6,000+ hotels across 100 countries, IHG has quietly built one of the most diverse portfolios in hospitality. From rainforest retreats to roadside rest stops, this IHG hotel brands guide breaks down everything you need to know – including which brand we hunt down when we’re planning our next stay. Whether you’re chasing points, peace, or a decent pour-over coffee in the lobby, there’s an IHG brand with your name on it.

Intro to IHG

IHG – short for InterContinental Hotels Group – is the parent company behind some of the best-known names in travel, from the iconic InterContinental to the no-frills Holiday Inn Express. It was formed in 2003, when Six Continents Plc split in two creating separate hotel and beverage businesses. What sets IHG apart is its spread across every price point and travel style. Boutique city break? Spa in the jungle? Business trip in Birmingham? You’re covered.

They’ve grown rapidly in recent years, scooping up niche names and reinventing tired ones. Each brand has its own flavour, but all tap into IHG’s global reach and points-earning power.

Geographical focus areas

IHG’s reach is impressively global, though you’ll spot some regional patterns. Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza dominate in North America and Europe, while HUALUXE caters squarely to the Chinese market. The luxe names like Six Senses and Regent are more selective, with dreamy locations from Portugal to the Maldives. And newer players like voco and Garner are expanding fast in Europe, Australia, and the Americas.

List of brands (most luxurious to budget)

Six Senses

• Target Audience: Affluent travelers seeking wellness and sustainability.
• What to Expect: Eco-conscious resorts with a strong emphasis on wellness.
• Famous For: Integrating luxury with sustainability and wellness.

Regent Hotels & Resorts

• Target Audience: Discerning luxury travelers.
• What to Expect: Elegant design and personalised service.
• Famous For: Combining modern luxury with traditional elegance.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

• Target Audience: Global business and leisure travelers.
• What to Expect: Upscale accommodations in major cities.
• Famous For: Being one of the first truly international hotel brands.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

• Target Audience: Trendy, design-conscious travelers.
• What to Expect: Boutique hotels with unique decor.
• Famous For: Personalised service and stylish interiors.

Hotel Indigo

• Target Audience: Travelers seeking local experiences.
• What to Expect: Hotels reflecting the local culture and neighborhood.
• Famous For: Unique designs inspired by the surrounding area.

Vignette Collection

• Target Audience: Guests desiring unique, independent hotel experiences.
• What to Expect: Distinctive hotels with their own character.
• Famous For: Offering one-of-a-kind stays within the IHG portfolio.

voco Hotels

• Target Audience: Upscale leisure and business travelers.
• What to Expect: Comfortable, stylish accommodations.
• Famous For: Combining the informality of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global brand.

HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts

• Target Audience: Chinese business and leisure travelers.
• What to Expect: Hotels that blend Chinese traditions with modern luxury.
• Famous For: Emphasising Chinese heritage and hospitality.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts

• Target Audience: Business travelers.
• What to Expect: Facilities catering to meetings and work-life balance.
• Famous For: Focus on productivity and business amenities.

EVEN Hotels

• Target Audience: Health-conscious travelers.
• What to Expect: Wellness-focused amenities and services.
• Famous For: Integrating fitness and healthy living into the hotel stay.

Holiday Inn

• Target Audience: Families and business travelers.
• What to Expect: Reliable, full-service accommodations.
• Famous For: Being one of the most recognised hotel brands worldwide.

Holiday Inn Express

• Target Audience: Value-conscious travelers.
• What to Expect: Simplified services with essential amenities.
• Famous For: Complimentary breakfast and efficient service.

avid Hotels

• Target Audience: Budget-conscious travelers.
• What to Expect: Basic, high-quality accommodations.
• Famous For: Delivering the essentials exceptionally well.

Garner Hotels

• Target Audience: Travelers seeking value and comfort.
• What to Expect: Warm, inviting spaces with thoughtful amenities.
• Famous For: Providing a home-like atmosphere at an affordable price.

Staybridge Suites

• Target Audience: Extended-stay travelers.
• What to Expect: Spacious suites with full kitchens.
• Famous For: Creating a community feel with social events.

Candlewood Suites

• Target Audience: Long-term business travelers.
• What to Expect: Home-like accommodations with full kitchens.
• Famous For: Offering self-service amenities for extended stays.

Atwell Suites

• Target Audience: Travelers on longer stays.
• What to Expect: Flexible spaces for work and relaxation.
• Famous For: Blending extended-stay features with hotel-like services.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations

• Target Audience: Families and vacationers.
• What to Expect: Resort-style accommodations with family-friendly amenities.
• Famous For: Providing spacious villas in vacation destinations.

Our pick – the IHG brand we search for

For us, it’s Kimpton. There’s something joyful about rocking up to a hotel that hands you a glass of wine and doesn’t blink when your dog arrives in a jumper. The design is always memorable, and there’s a grown-up sense of fun that keeps things from feeling too try-hard. For city stays with personality, it’s the one we punch into Google first.

Intro to the IHG loyalty programme

IHG One Rewards is the loyalty scheme that ties it all together. Members earn points on stays, food, and even at select restaurants and retailers. There are four main tiers: Club, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The real perks kick in at Platinum and above – think upgrades, free breakfast (sometimes), and milestone rewards. You can also redeem points for free nights across any brand, which adds major flexibility when using this IHG hotel brands guide to plan your next trip.

Points can be earned quickly with the IHG credit card in the US, or more slowly just by staying. Either way, if you’re loyal to a mix of hotel styles, this programme keeps all your travel eggs in one stylish basket. And yes, IHG hotel brands guide is just the excuse you needed to start tracking that points balance again.