Each One among IHG’s 17 Lodge Manufacturers, Defined

InterContinental Lodges Group (IHG) has all the time been a forerunner of hospitality traits, given how its manufacturers span from just-the-basics highway warriors to experience-seeking luxurious vacationers. A number of of its manufacturers anticipated shifts in visitor tastes forward of the pack. Earlier than Instagram and hybrid working, the group created and purchased way of life manufacturers with photogenic lobbies for visitors who mix enterprise and leisure journey. IHG additionally invented the idea of a resort loyalty program. As we speak, with almost 6,000 properties in additional than 100 nations and with greater than $2.9 billion in annual revenues, U.Ok.-based IHG curates 17 manufacturers serving visitors and house owners with really different wants. 

The competitors is fierce, a truth of life that the resort big’s management confronts day by day.

“We all the time must up our recreation, so now we have to proceed to take a position increasingly more in know-how, cut back friction within the digital expertise, and discover higher methods of lowering prices for house owners and our know-how platforms,” CEO Keith Barr instructed Skift in January. “We are able to’t sit nonetheless, however it’s fairly darn arduous to switch [the traditional hotel experience], which is the benefit now we have.”

Learn on for perception from IHG on every of its 17 manufacturers, adopted by our personal takes. 

Notice: International footprint numbers and quoted takes from IHG are from every model’s house web page, with property and room quantity knowledge from March 31, 2022.

Six Senses

• 21 open accommodations
• 1,412 open rooms
• 33 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Every Six Senses property commits to visitor rejuvenation and reconnection, with an knowledgeable deal with wellness and sustainability and creating a spot the place individuals can reconnect, in concord with the native surroundings.”

Skift Take: Since its acquisition in 2012, Six Senses has been a balancing act of luxurious and sustainability. Its well-developed missions to create zero waste, reminiscent of by striving to be plastic-free and by rising vegetables and fruit on-site, counsel that this model is well-positioned for an anticipated rising demand for greener journey. Many manufacturers wrestle to get house owners to spend on sustainability, however Six Senses commits them by administration contract, stated Raini Hamdi in IHG’s Six Senses Goes a Step Additional on Being Inexperienced Amongst Lodge Chains. Due to this fact, Six Senses efficiently shifts the luxurious resort narrative into one thing more healthy for the surroundings. It’s all within the identify. This model appeals to the six senses whereas additionally making strides to realize what one can’t sense, however is changing into extra essential by the day.

Regent

• 7 open accommodations
• 2,190 open rooms
• 8 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: Regent Lodges “seeks to redefine luxurious hospitality via innovation and design primarily based on understanding the trendy luxurious client,” with the aim of changing into one of many world’s “most prestigious luxurious manufacturers with accommodations in gateway cities and resort locations all over the world.” 

Skift Take: Regardless that companies struggled in the course of the pandemic, Regent has not given up on its high-lux initiatives. Those that are financially succesful are able to deal with themselves, and this model’s upscale rooms and suites, wellness amenities, and eating choices — which can be found in 8 places throughout the globe — are up for the problem. 

InterContinental

• 207 open accommodations
• 69,917 open rooms
• 79 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Because the world’s first worldwide luxurious journey resort model, now we have been pioneering new worldwide locations for many years. Every of our accommodations is a vacation spot in its personal proper with a particular type and atmosphere, from historic buildings to metropolis landmarks and immersive resorts in each nook of the globe.”

Skift Take: Because of InterContinental’s deal with worldwide journey and cultural experiences, this model is struggling, like every other, to get again on its toes for the reason that pandemic. Nonetheless, it’s IHG’s most well-known model and dates again to 1946, so it’s not going wherever. Its rivals are Grand Hyatt, W Lodges, JW Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton, however the giant variety of accommodations and simultaneous lavishness appear to maintain the model afloat.

Vignette

• 2 open accommodations
• 539 open rooms
• 6 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “We’ve created a set model that provides visitors an inspiring new alternative. A household of one-off accommodations the place visitors can indulge a rising ardour for stays which can be genuine, experiential, and thoughtful. Distinctive and Proudly unbiased, our accommodations all embody luxurious differently. What they share is a dedication to a succinct set of requirements that we all know discerning visitors hunt down and love.”

Skift Take: The Vignette Assortment is presently open in Brisbane and Bangkok, however different places in Asia and Europe are coming quickly. It’s a gentle model, which permits IHG to compete with related branches of Hilton and Accor, which have each pointed to luxurious and way of life accommodations as main sources of progress.This model looks like it is likely to be one of many closing touches for IHG’s ultra-luxe accommodations and because of its customized but high-end method, it’s only serving to increase charges and critiques. Although every location has differing kinds, there are a handful of high quality provides — from cocktail trolleys to morning yoga on the seashore —that make visitors really feel cared for each time.  

Kimpton

• 75 open accommodations
• 13,297 open rooms
• 38 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Because the business pioneer that first launched the boutique idea to the US, we at Kimpton® Lodges & Eating places are famend for making vacationers really feel genuinely cared for via considerate perks and facilities, creative conferences and occasions, daring and playful design, and a sincerely private type of visitor service.”

Skift Take: Kimpton’s boutique expertise with trendy city places and artistic, customized decor is important to this model’s mission. Straying from the normal facilities of bigger accommodations, Kimpton hopes to draw youthful crowds who’re in search of distinctive and new journey experiences. Kimpton had a mighty historical past of economic success previous to IHG’s acquisition of it for $430 million again in 2015. It was additionally one of many first manufacturers to supply a hosted glad hour for visitors, and was early to proclaiming inclusion for LGBTQIA visitors. IHG’s companions have invested in contemporary rethinkings of some properties, reminiscent of Kimpton Saint George (Toronto) and Kimpton Banneker (D.C.), however we fear that IHG hasn’t been giving sufficient help to assist this gem of a model fulfill its full market potential.

Lodge Indigo

• 133 open accommodations
• 16,717 open rooms
• 119 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At Lodge Indigo we serve the curious – people who find themselves impressed by new locations, new individuals and new concepts. With accommodations in culturally various places everywhere in the world, no two properties are the identical. Every is a part of the heartbeat and the rhythm of a spot, drawing on the story of its native space to encourage each facet of the resort, from intriguing design to distinctive native elements in our menus.”

Skift Take: Lodge Indigo can also be a boutique resort, however with extra of an emphasis on cultural immersion and magnificence. It fixates on localness and creating a way of place. It achieves this via the addition of native artwork, specialised meals, and numerous experiences primarily based on location. This fashion, it would really feel like you’re staying at an in depth pal’s place in a brand new metropolis with heaps to have a look at, versus discovering a resort to crash at every evening. This model adjustments every property’s design each 5 years to take care of its contemporary really feel, suggesting that it is going to be “hip” for a very long time. 

Voco

• 35 open accommodations
• 8,523 open rooms
• 36 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Drawing on our years of expertise in delivering True Hospitality, voco accommodations, offers individuals a special alternative. Lodges which can be dependable sufficient to depend upon, however totally different sufficient to be enjoyable. Our new household of accommodations are related by their particular person characters, that make memorable journey reliable. Unstuffy accommodations, the place individuals really feel comfy to calm down, and simply get on with enjoyable. Lodges that stand out from the group.”

Skift Take: A part of Voco’s magic has to do with the chance for house owners to really make it their very own. Whereas its soft-brand method is a great enterprise mannequin it might not consolation returning clientele. With that being stated, it was IHG’s quickest model to launch, and is continuous to alter and develop by the minute.

Hualuxe

• 17 open accommodations
• 4,893 open rooms
• 22 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Now we have woven into each element of the luxurious model’s service and design an acknowledgment of Chinese language tradition and heritage, with explicit emphasis on the Chinese language values of etiquette, rejuvenation in nature, recognition of standing and enabling areas.”

Skift Take: Hualuxe is the “first upscale worldwide resort model designed particularly for Chinese language visitors,” as acknowledged in its mission assertion. As of proper now, this model solely has places in Better China, however there are plans to develop worldwide. IHG had already been established in China for over 35 years with different resort manufacturers earlier than taking Hualuxe beneath its wing, so it was effectively outfitted to create a Chinese language culture-inspired keep. 

Even Lodges

• 21 open accommodations
• 2,994 open rooms
• 29 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Our accommodations and wellness-savvy employees provide visitors a best-in-class health expertise, more healthy meals decisions and pure, enjoyable areas.”

Skift Take: Because it suggests within the identify, Even Lodges is supposed to offer vacationers with a sense of stability. Most resort gyms stink. Ultimately, there’s a model that guarantees high quality gear. When it comes to meals, Even’s “Cork & Kale” menu plan consists of all pure elements to gas visitors. Even Lodges has continued to develop because it opened in 2012, leaning into the lots who wish to handle their our bodies. It looks like individuals wish to get off the sofa after two years in a pandemic and go for the resort with a wellness-based mannequin. 

Crowne Plaza

• 406 open accommodations
• 111,491 open rooms
• 107 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At Crowne Plaza Lodges & Resorts we imagine enterprise journey ought to work higher. In each market on this planet, enterprise has modified, and so has work. It’s extra digital, extra versatile, extra cellular, extra related. As one of many world’s largest upscale manufacturers, now we have properties situated in main city centres, gateway cities and resort locations throughout the globe.”

Skift Take: Crowne Plaza markets itself towards the trendy enterprise traveler who seeks a candy spot between enterprise and leisure. Its design pays consideration to assembly areas and particular person areas for work. With the resurgence of enterprise journey post-pandemic, this model is making ahead strides to rebound. Within the peak of the pandemic, IHG eliminated 90 accommodations from Crowne Plaza and Vacation Inn in an try to take care of profitability. This model has paid its dues and can stick round as long as the transition again right into a bustling, business-oriented world continues.

Vacation Inn Specific

• 3034 open accommodations
• 319, 407 open rooms
• 658 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At Vacation Inn Specific accommodations we preserve it easy and sensible. As IHG’s quickest rising resort model, we’re first alternative for the growing variety of vacationers who want a easy, participating place to relaxation, recharge and get somewhat work accomplished. We provide every little thing visitors want and supply extra the place it issues most.”

Skift Take: Fairly priced and masking fundamental requirements, Vacation Inn Specific now covers quite a lot of territory. With 658 accommodations within the pipeline, this model dips into each company and leisure journey due to its lengthy historical past of trustworthiness. When Covid pressured accommodations to close down throughout Europe, over 80 % of Vacation Inn Specific’s remained open. It’s a necessary model that will get the job accomplished, after which some.

Vacation Inn

• 1,192 open accommodations
• 215,841 open rooms
• 251 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At Vacation Inn Lodges & Resorts we delight ourselves in delivering heat and welcoming experiences for visitors staying for enterprise or pleasure. Whether or not it’s time with mates, household, colleagues or shoppers now we have a breadth of accommodations from city centres to seashore resorts providing environments, companies and facilities that make it simple to work, relaxation and join.”

Skift Take: Vacation Inn has grown to be so profitable that not solely is its identify talked about in numerous in style songs, however there are an estimated two individuals checking in each second, in line with IHG’s web site. The Vacation Inn Specific model is geared towards shorter stays, whereas this model is supposed for a number of days longer — with full service reasonably than restricted. “The Vacation Inn” is recognizable, tried and true, and other people love to return again to what they know. Then again, there may be the fear that it’s going to grow to be stale. To deal with this, the model introduced in 2021 that it was beginning the yr with a “model refresh.” 

Avid

• 52 open accommodations
• 4,676 open rooms
• 161 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At avid accommodations, we’re championing on a regular basis journey at a good value, assembly the wants of the visitors who all too typically must pay extra for issues they don’t want, or compromise on the standard they count on. We’re right here to supply the kind of hospitality they worth most – the necessities accomplished exceptionally effectively. Experiences that really feel excellent, each time.”

Skift Take: Just like the Vacation Inn Specific, Avid goals to efficiently fulfill clients’ wants—no extra and no much less. As a result of model’s environment friendly enterprise mannequin, it is ready to function effectively with out extraneous bills. This constructive suggestions loop retains Avid worthwhile and with glad vacationers who want a reliable place to remain for a really affordable value. Avid’s “look” contains easy designs with pink, aqua, and heat neutrals that present a sensible really feel. 

Atwell Suites

• 1 open resort
• 90 open rooms
• 22 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Welcome to Atwell Suites, a brand new upper-midscale, all-suites resort model that brings inspiration to each journey. Our accommodations give visitors choices at each flip, to allow them to select a keep that’s proper for them. We create an surroundings that permits visitors to construct connections, discover their place, and be themselves. Lodges that present our visitors with alternatives to discover and spark curiosity. Irrespective of the place they’re headed, we assist visitors take their journey to new locations.”

Skift Take: The all-suites phase wanted a trendy model meant for longer stays, and Atwell Suites got here to the rescue. On the edgier aspect, Atwell has mid-century trendy furnishings and decor that you simply may discover in a higher-class Airbnb. The spacious suite design contains its personal kitchenette—however don’t fear there may be nonetheless a complimentary breakfast. Atwell Suites crammed the necessity for an upper-mid scale suite type resort, and it has but to disappoint. 

Staybridge Suites

• 318 open accommodations
• 34,559 open rooms
• 158 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “We imagine our visitors deserve extra, and it’s all the time been our easy mission to offer one thing totally different. Distinct. More room and a larger sense of neighborhood that breaks down the partitions of monotonous, restrictive journey – that can assist you really feel unconfined…and expertise a break from the journey norm.” 

Skift Take: Spaciousness is considered one of Staybridge’s robust fits, as its suite-style rooms provide full kitchens and an outside house. About half of visitors keep for a minimum of 5 nights, proving that this model takes the lead in areas with a requirement for prolonged stays. The staff-to-guest ratio is low, which drives revenue margins. Whereas this may occasionally look like a draw back for vacationers, there are a handful of facilities that present a really residential-like expertise. Major rivals embody the Residence Inn, Hyatt Home, and Homewood Suites, however Staybridge places up a very good combat in client model consciousness with over 300 open accommodations.

Vacation Inn Membership Holidays

• 28 open resorts
• 8,822 open villas
• 0 resorts within the pipeline

IHG Take: “Our Vacation Inn Membership Holidays house owners are a part of a neighborhood of people that perceive the significance of household and investing in a lifetime of invaluable recollections. Our assortment of US resorts has expanded quickly for the reason that model launched in 2008. All provide spacious villa lodging for households in high leisure locations, and entry to world-class points of interest reminiscent of mountain adventures, championship golf programs and serene seashores.”

Skift Take: This model is supposed for bigger teams and longer stays, due to the choice of timeshare possession and deluxe villas. Vacation Inn Membership Holidays earnings off the will to have wealthy experiences. These resorts are supposed to kind bonds and join visitors as a lot as the gorgeous location they selected to trip close to. As essentially the most up-scale Vacation Inn model, it offers households with far more than the trusted necessities. 

Candlewood Suites

• 361 open accommodations
• 32,024 open rooms
• 107 accommodations within the pipeline

IHG Take: “At Candlewood Suites, we imagine the world can be a greater place if everybody had the private and bodily house to create a way of normalcy when touring for an extended time period. Our visitors have come to depend upon us for dependable companies and facilities that help their unbiased methods. It’s our mission to offer your house to settle in.”

Skift Take: This model is extremely dependable with restricted facilities. It is probably not an thrilling, experience-filled keep, however it works effectively for individuals who are staying on the longer aspect and wish to really feel sound. “Normalcy” is considered one of its adjectives on the location, which captures its essence completely. No surprises, however satisfying. Because it promotes visitor independence, it doesn’t require a big group of staff to stick with it and working. Candlewood is an asset for IHG due to its simplicity.