Booking a hotel used to be a fairly simple decision. You picked a destination, checked the price, looked at a few photos, and made a reservation. These days, there are so many hotel brands and different types of accommodation that finding the right place can take longer than planning the actual journey.
I’ve found that the biggest mistake people make is choosing a hotel based entirely on its price or how impressive the lobby looks. A room that seems perfect in pictures might not be practical for a business trip, while a hotel that looks fairly ordinary could turn out to be exactly what you need for a weekend away.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has a wide range of hotel brands, from everyday stays to luxury resorts and extended-stay accommodation. That variety can be useful, but it also means you need to know what you’re looking for before making a booking.
Start With the Kind of Trip You’re Taking
The right hotel depends on what you’re actually planning to do during your trip. A business traveler who spends most of the day in meetings has different priorities from a family spending a week at a resort or someone visiting a city for the first time.
When comparing IHG Hotels & Resorts, I would start by asking a simple question: what do I need the hotel to do for me? If you’re mainly looking for somewhere comfortable to sleep, you may not need a property with a long list of extra facilities. If you’re planning to spend more time at the hotel, things like dining, fitness, a pool or a comfortable lounge become more important.
This is also where location comes into the picture. A cheaper room on the outskirts of a city might not save much if you’re spending extra money and time getting to the places you want to visit.
Understanding the Different IHG Hotel Brands
One thing that makes choosing an IHG hotel interesting is that the company doesn’t operate with just one style of accommodation. Its portfolio includes brands aimed at different budgets, travel habits and experiences.
IHG Hotels & Resorts includes familiar names such as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, voco, InterContinental and Kimpton, along with brands focused on longer stays such as Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
You don’t need to know every brand before booking. It helps more to understand the general difference between them.
For example, Holiday Inn Express is designed around a straightforward, comfortable stay with essentials such as breakfast and Wi-Fi. Hotel Indigo is positioned around distinctive properties and local neighbourhood experiences, while InterContinental and Kimpton offer a different kind of stay with a more upscale or boutique feel.
The point is that the name of the brand can give you an idea of what to expect, but the individual hotel still matters.
When a Holiday Inn Express Makes More Sense
There are trips where you don’t need anything complicated from a hotel. You want a clean room, a comfortable bed, breakfast in the morning and somewhere convenient to stay.
That is where IHG Hotels & Resorts brands such as Holiday Inn Express can be worth considering. The brand focuses on comfortable stays and practical essentials, including complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi at its properties.
I think this type of hotel works particularly well for road trips, short business stays and overnight stops where you’re not planning to spend much time inside the property.
You may not need a hotel with a spa, several restaurants and a large selection of facilities if you’re checking in late and leaving early the next morning.
Choosing a Hotel for a Longer Stay
A longer trip changes what you need from a hotel. When you’re staying for several nights or even a few weeks, the room itself becomes much more important.
A small room with nowhere to work or store your belongings can feel fine for one night and frustrating after a week. This is where IHG Hotels & Resorts extended-stay brands such as Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites come into the picture. Both are designed around longer stays, with accommodation that aims to feel more like a home away from home.
Before booking, check whether the room includes the facilities you actually need. A kitchenette, laundry access, extra living space or a proper work area can make a bigger difference than a slightly nicer view.
It’s worth comparing those details before deciding which room to book.
If You Want Something More Personal
Not everyone enjoys staying in a hotel that feels exactly like every other hotel in the city.
Some travelers prefer properties with a stronger connection to their surroundings, interesting design or a more personal atmosphere. If that sounds like you, IHG Hotels & Resorts has brands such as Hotel Indigo and Kimpton that focus on distinctive properties and individual guest experiences.
Hotel Indigo, for example, highlights the character of different neighbourhoods and destinations. Kimpton is known for its boutique-style properties and a more personal approach to the guest experience.
This kind of stay can be a good fit for a city break, a special occasion or simply a trip where you want the hotel to feel like part of the experience rather than just somewhere to sleep.
What About Luxury Hotels and Resorts?
There are times when the hotel is one of the main reasons for taking the trip. Maybe you’re celebrating something, planning a relaxing holiday or just want a change from your usual routine.
In that case, IHG Hotels & Resorts has a luxury and lifestyle collection that includes InterContinental, Regent, Six Senses, Kimpton and Vignette Collection.
The difference between these properties and a typical city hotel isn’t just the room rate. It can also be the setting, service, dining options and the overall experience of staying there.
That doesn’t mean every luxury hotel will suit every traveler. Some people would rather spend more of their budget exploring the destination than on the hotel itself. Others are happy to pay more for a property where they can slow down and enjoy the stay.
The important part is knowing which kind of trip you’re planning before choosing where to spend the money.
Don’t Book Without Checking the Location
A hotel can look perfect online and still be inconvenient once you arrive.
When comparing IHG Hotels & Resorts, check how far the property is from the places you actually want to visit. If you’re travelling for work, look at the distance to the office or event venue. If you’re on holiday, think about transport, restaurants and the attractions you want to see.
I would also check whether the hotel is in the area you expect it to be. Some cities have several properties from the same brand, and choosing the wrong one can mean a much longer journey than you planned.
