BEST BUDGET HOTEL CHAIN: Holiday Inn Express

Entrepreneur,  April, 2000  by Christopher Elliot,  Christopher Mcginnis

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It's been six years since we first recognized Holiday Inn Express in Entrepreneur's Business Travel Awards. Back in 1994, there were only 150 Holiday Inn Express properties in the United States. Now they total more than 1,000 worldwide. This phenomenal growth record is undoubtedly due to the company's diligence in appealing to value-oriented travelers who just want the basics. No bells, whistles or chocolates on the pillows, please. Just a fresh, clean room, uncomplicated amenities, a good location and a decent price.

Each Holiday Inn Express offers comfortable rooms; a free breakfast bar featuring fresh fruit, cereal and pastries; free local phone calls in the United States; voice mail; and points in the popular Priority Club Worldwide frequent-stay program that can be redeemed for merchandise, airline miles or free stays in the more than 2,800 hotels owned by the parent company, Bass Hotels and Resorts.

Holiday Inn Express locations are ubiquitous--initially, many were built along or near freeways, but now many more are springing up in downtown areas, suburban office parks and even small towns. Rates generally run from $60 to S90, but can vary.

Christopher McGinnis, a CNN and The Weather Channel commentator, is the author of The Unofficial Business Travelers Pocket Guide (McGraw-Hill) and manages his own Web site at www.travelskills.com. Christopher Elliot is Entrepreneur's "Travel" columnist.

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