IHG has this week announced that the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand will be undergoing a refresh, as the company has revealed a ”distinctive global brand evolution.” If you ask me, InterContinental is a brand that could desperately use a refresh. However, I’m kind of scratching my head at the details of this ”evolution” —…
Continue reading: InterContinental Unveils “Distinctive Global Brand Evolution”
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"...striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity."
Is that like "subtle yet yielding?"
Will there be a "digital transformation" component" as well?
Buzzword Bingo has some new words to add.
As a read into this article.....its so sad how stupid and brainwashed the world has become. Far left theory built into every aspect of our lives.. I need an app to go to sleep and some food based on science. Please do ban alcohol and make all my decisions for me.
I don’t really understand how InterContinental is a bit souless and JW Marriott isn’t. They’re both meaningless franchise labels which sit across everything from just-about four star hotels to quite nice five star hotels (some JWM’s are completely indistinguishable from a standard Marriott beyond some marble in the lobby…). Otherwise, I completely agree.
Neither is luxury other than in the dreams of the marketing staff of the major hotel groups, by the way.
If it weren't for bullshit, we wouldn't have a white-collar economy. This kind of stuff keeps the lights on.
As someone in mgmt consulting, I can absolutely tell you the first blurb was written by an analyst with a micromanaging Engagement Manager breathing over their shoulder changing every word.
Idk Ben, I think your confusion stems from the VP's statement massively overselling what this is. If you take that out of the equation and just look at the changes by themselves then it's just a minor product update, similar to BA announcing they're changing bedding and some appetizer options so they're healthier. Or maybe there's more substantive changes coming down the road and they just jumped the gun?
Who said JW Marriott isn't soulless? Although some of their properties are quite lovely (e.g. Venice)
LOL. That's what I was thinking! You said the quiet part out loud.
Intercontinental hotels are boring as f. It's amazing how a chain that has the amazing Indio brand and the great Kimpton brand has the dull as dirt Intercontintal Brand. smh.
As someone who worked for IHG for several years, the entire company has an identity issue. Other than Holiday Inn Express & Kimpton (which they run entirely separately), they just don't know who or what they are.
Another fluff piece that probably could have been better done by ChatGPT
Nothing will change on the ground. Those IC hotels with good soft product will continue to have good soft product, and those with crap service will continue to be crap. All the PR in the world will not fix that
"IHG is describing the current state of InterContinental properties as being “experience-driven bespoke concepts,” which… isn’t how I’d describe these hotels. So maybe that’s on me, and not the hotel brand."
Other than the IC HKG (now a Regent again), I can't say I've had much of an 'experience' at the other ICs I've stayed at (NYC Times Square, MSY, LCY (although nice upgraded corner room and view)). They haven't been destinations to 'experience' but mere expensive places to stay in useful locations. Expensive, not necessarily luxurious. (IHG Diamond)
Intercontinental is a hilariously inconsistent brand. You have lame hotels like the IC St. Paul, which should be a CP, big downtown skyscrapers which is what I would consider a "normal" IC, and a Fijan Beach resort (highly recommend, best FNC redemption ever) all under the same brand. I don't think there's really much you can do at the brand level since all the hotels are so different. Even Kimpton is more cohesive since they are all boutique hotels in downtown areas. This buzzword soup reminds me of some of the stuff my upper management comes to us with, to which we just turn around and get back to work while they are busy putting each other on the back.
Intercontinental's biggest problem is Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Those brands can't sit next to each other. There are some great Intercontinental properties internationally, but the vast majority of IHG's portfolio in Western Europe and North America are low-end Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties with a lot of mediocre Hotel Indigo and Kimpton properties.
Intercontinental and Fairmont are probably the most overrated luxury brands followed by W and Ritz-Carlton.
This is their new exceptional smoke and mirrors initiative
It matches their BS destination and resort fees
In NYC Boston etc Now found on their award stays
How do you spell crooks?
I wrote them off
There are some gems in the brand like IC Danang and IC Thalasso - 2 of my all time favorite hotels. Then there are lots of generic big city hotels. One exception is IC DTLA, with distinctively better service than other North American city ICs I've been to.
Many years ago l stayed in Intercontinental Hotels as often as I could.
I was a member of the "6 Continents Club". I always got upgraded to a full suite or at least a Jr. Suite, and always had a bottle of wine and an appetizer plate in my room when I checked in. As I recall, I always got a free breakfast of some sort. It was a really good hotel experience. I also earned free cruises and free PanAm airfares in promotions.
The part about bringing people together is somewhat authentic, when the chain originated they were in places most Westerners had probably never heard of.
Maybe my local IC is the worst in the world, but the IC St Paul can’t even consistently staff the coffee bar or fix the smashed wall near the parking garage, let alone create luxury experiences. I don’t believe they even have a concierge desk.
Joined the 6 Continents Club in Al Ain back in 90's when Intercontinental was a great stay. Over the years have run into some very good Intercontinental Hotels and very mediocre ones as well.
In Jan/Feb this year had the pleasure of staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buenos Aires. It reminded me of the great days of the 90's. A brilliant but classic older hotel with great staff, executive floor and rooms. Thoroughly enjoyed a few stays while in Argentina.
If the new branding of IHG Intercontinental hotels is anything like the BA Intercon, then it will be a very good thing for IHG and guests.
Unfortunately, the Marriott brand is worse! The lounge is "pigs at a trough" the hotels full of tour group hell.
So as bad as IC has gotten, it's a wonderful escape from the pond Scum experience at the Marriott.
I've stayed a a few excellent Intercontinental hotels and other IHG in the past (10 years ago+). We actually got engaged at the LA Concha in Key West 15 years ago! Now it's an Autograph Collection....see, IHG is so unremarkable that I thought it was a Crowne Plaza...
We've all read jargon-filled but largely content-free press releases before, but this one seems to set the bar at an entirely new level. Agree with Ben and others - the brand definitely needs a refresh and most importantly, a consistent set of standards for its hotels. The chasm between the IC Cleveland and the IC Grand Seoul Parnas, to use two recent personal experiences as an example, is Grand Canyonesque. Would be nice if there actually ended up being some substance behind the PR word salad, but I probably won't be holding my breath.
The bottom line to the major hotel bramds; provide a consistent experience across all properties, particularly franchise operated properties. Marriott gets the worst rating in enforcing branding (I am a lifetime Titanium earned thru Sheraton). They get an F rating. IHG gets a C rating. I am retrying Hilton and Hyatt and so far, Hyatt is the "best" out of the lot.
None of this fluff marketing from Intercontinental impresses me. If they are part of IHG, there should be some loyalty benefits. The paid Ambassador sucks as you still don't get lounge access
Having a staffed ambassador check in desk at every hotel would be a good start.
What a load of crap their press release is tho, its embarrasing.
I think of Soylent Green when I read a press release like that.
I also think of propaganda.
Clear text: a few more cooks to make chia and beetroot delight for breakfast, more lavender spray in the good night pack, and adding one more type to the pillow menu.
Maybe they will can desks while keeping mysterious tub/shower fixtures that are part of that elusive local charm?