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Holiday Inn vs Holiday Inn Express

Discover the differences between Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

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Stephanie Yip
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Express – how much difference can one little word make when it comes to hotel chains?

The differences between a Holiday Inn and a Holiday Inn Express are subtle, but they matter.

On the whole, you’ll get more services at a Holiday Inn. For example, a Holiday Inn will usually have an onsite restaurant and bar, whereas a Holiday Inn Express will simply have a breakfast area.

Find out more below.

Holiday Inn vs Holiday Inn Express

FeatureHoliday InnHoliday Inn ExpressVerdict
Where are its hotels?
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • The Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • The Middle East
  • New Zealand
  • South America
  • The USA
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • The Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • The Middle East
  • South America
  • The USA
There are no Holiday Inn Express hotels in New Zealand.
Is there free breakfast?No.Yes.Holiday Inn Express offers free breakfast.
Is there a loyalty? Is it free to join?IHG Rewards Club- free to join.IHG Rewards Club- free to join.They offer the same loyalty scheme.
Is there free Wi-Fi?At some hotels.Yes.Holiday Inn Express offers free Wi-Fi as standard.
Is there an executive lounge?In some hotels.No.Holiday Inn offers executive lounges.
Are hotels pet friendly?Some are.Some are.Both offer pet-friendly hotels.
Is there online chat?YesYes.Both offer chat.
What are my payment options?
  • American Express
  • Business Advantage
  • Carte Blanche
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Business Advantage
  • Carte Blanche
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
They offer the same ways to pay.
Can I price match?YesYesBoth price match.
Does it allow for cancellations/changes?Cancellation depends on the booking and hotel. Many rooms can be cancelled at 24 hours notice.Cancellation depends on the booking and hotel. Many rooms can be cancelled at 24 hours notice.They offer similar cancellation policies.
Does it have smoking rooms?YesYesBoth offer some smoking rooms.

Who offers the best price?

A room with a double bed at Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre, England, costs £95 (roughly $164). While a double room at Holiday Inn Express Manchester Oxford Road, which is a 10-minute walk from the Holiday Inn above, cost £92 (about $159).

The verdict?

In a like-for-like rate search, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express offered almost identical prices for a double room. Holiday Inn Express does include breakfast in its rate, unlike Holiday Inn.

However, the Holiday Inn property does have more facilities, including a gym and a restaurant.

Any other differences worth noting?

Holiday Inn offers free stays and free meals for children at many hotels. There’s a little asterisk next to this policy on the company’s website, and there’s not really a catch. Hotels in different parts of the world specify the age for whom they class as a child, but many hotels offer free stays to young people up to the age of 18.

What are the deals like?

Both Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express offer deals like 10% off weekend breaks.

The verdict?

Offers are pretty similar.

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express deals

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