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IHG operates 19 brands spanning every price tier from budget ibis-adjacent to ultra-luxury Six Senses. Most IHG members know Holiday Inn and InterContinental, but the choice of brand has a significant impact on both your stay experience and your points efficiency. This guide breaks down every IHG brand—what it is, who it’s for, and when to use your points there.
IHG Brand Portfolio at a Glance
IHG groups its brands into four segments:
| Segment | Brands | Nightly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury & Lifestyle | Regent, Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo | $300–$1,000+ |
| Premium | Voco, EVEN Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Hualuxe | $150–$400 |
| Essentials | Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Garner Hotels | $80–$200 |
| Suites / Extended Stay | Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Atwell Suites | $80–$180 |
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Luxury & Lifestyle Brands
1. Regent Hotels & Resorts
Positioning: Ultra-luxury; IHG’s most prestigious brand Key markets: Asia, Middle East, Europe (~40 properties globally) Cash rate: $500–$1,500+/night Points to redeem: 60,000–100,000 points/night; peak-season value is excellent Best for: Honeymoons, milestone celebrations, pure luxury travel
Regent was acquired by IHG in 2018 and carries a legacy dating to the 1970s. The Hong Kong Regent and Singapore Regent are Asian icons. This is one of the best uses of IHG points—redeem in peak season (Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, F1 weekend in Singapore) for maximum value.
2. Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Positioning: Wellness-focused ultra-luxury; sustainability as a core identity Key markets: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Middle East, Europe Cash rate: $400–$1,200+/night (typically all-inclusive) Points: Accepts IHG point redemptions; peak-season value is strong Best for: Wellness retreats, meditation escapes, honeymoons, digital detox
Joined IHG in 2019. Six Senses properties in Bali, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka are among travel’s most coveted destinations. Because stays are often all-inclusive at high nightly rates, points redemptions here can deliver outsized value.
3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Positioning: Luxury business and resort travel; IHG’s flagship premium brand Key markets: Global major cities and resort destinations (300+ properties) Cash rate: $200–$600/night Points to redeem: 30,000–80,000 points/night Best for: Upscale business travel, city-center stays, resort vacations
InterContinental is IHG’s most recognizable premium brand. The InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Shanghai InterContinental, and Hong Kong’s former InterContinental (now Regent) are regional landmarks. For points users, InterContinental is a primary target—cash rates are high enough to make redemptions worthwhile, especially at Asian and Middle Eastern resorts.
Points tip: Two InterContinental properties in the same city can have very different points pricing. Always compare on the IHG website before committing.
4. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Positioning: Boutique lifestyle brand; emphasis on local personality Key markets: North America (70+ properties), select European properties Cash rate: $200–$500/night Points to redeem: 30,000–60,000 points/night Best for: North America road warriors, design-forward travelers, pet owners (Kimpton is pet-friendly across the board)
Kimpton joined IHG in 2015. Each property has its own design identity rooted in the local neighborhood. Signature perk: complimentary Social Hour wine daily (5–6 PM) at all properties. For North America travelers, Kimpton often represents the best points value in the IHG portfolio.
5. Hotel Indigo
Positioning: Neighborhood boutique; design-led, community-embedded Key markets: Global cities (300+ properties) Cash rate: $150–$350/night Best for: Travelers who want a sense of place over standardized comfort
Each Hotel Indigo is designed around a local neighborhood story. China has multiple strong properties (Shanghai, Chengdu, Xiamen). Rates are more accessible than InterContinental, with moderate points redemption efficiency.
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Premium Brands
6. Voco Hotels
Positioning: Upscale soft brand; IHG’s vehicle for independent hotel conversions Key markets: Asia-Pacific (Australia, Southeast Asia), Middle East, Europe (expanding fast) Cash rate: $150–$350/night Best for: Business travelers who want quality without full luxury pricing
Voco has been IHG’s fastest-growing brand in recent years, converting independent boutique hotels into the portfolio while preserving their individual character. Australian Voco properties are the most mature in the brand. Each property feels distinct—something standardized chains can’t offer.
7. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Positioning: Upscale full-service business hotel Key markets: Global business cities (430+ properties) Cash rate: $120–$300/night Points to redeem: 20,000–50,000 points/night Best for: Senior business travelers, conference attendees, group travel
Crowne Plaza is IHG’s largest premium brand and covers mainland China exceptionally well—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and dozens of secondary cities. Consistent service standards and strong meeting facilities make it a reliable business choice. Points efficiency is moderate.
8. Hualuxe Hotels & Resorts
Positioning: Luxury brand designed specifically for Chinese travelers Key markets: Mainland China (~20 properties) Cash rate: $150–$400/night Best for: High-end Chinese business travelers who value culturally integrated service
Hualuxe integrates Chinese design aesthetics and hospitality traditions from the ground up. Current coverage is strongest in secondary cities and markets underserved by InterContinental; fewer properties in tier-one cities.
Essentials Brands
9. Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts
Positioning: Full-service mid-scale; IHG’s most globally recognized brand Key markets: Global (1,200+ properties) Cash rate: $80–$200/night Points to redeem: 15,000–30,000 points/night Best for: Family travel, leisure trips, mid-budget travelers
Holiday Inn is IHG’s legacy brand and the name most people associate with the group. Properties typically include a restaurant, pool, and family-oriented amenities. Points redemption efficiency is relatively low (nightly cash rates are modest), so it’s better to save your points for premium brands and pay cash at Holiday Inn.
10. Holiday Inn Express
Positioning: Streamlined business hotel; complimentary breakfast always included Key markets: Global (3,000+ properties; IHG’s largest single brand) Cash rate: $60–$150/night Brand hallmark: Free breakfast for all guests at every property, regardless of elite status Best for: Business travel, road trips, budget-conscious travelers who want breakfast included
HIE is IHG’s most numerous brand by property count and a workhorse for earning points efficiently across many stays. The complimentary breakfast is a genuine differentiator. Best strategy: Use Holiday Inn Express stays to earn points at scale; reserve points for luxury redemptions elsewhere.
Once you’ve picked your hotel, plan the activities—Klook offers bookable experiences in cities where IHG properties are concentrated, from airport transfers to local tours.
Extended Stay Brands
11. Staybridge Suites
Positioning: Extended-stay suite hotel with kitchen and living area Key markets: North America, Middle East Cash rate: $100–$200/night (lower for weekly/monthly bookings) Best for: Project-based corporate stays of 7+ nights, family relocations, travelers who need a kitchen
If you’re in one city for a week or more, a Staybridge suite with a full kitchen is functionally different from a standard hotel room—and IHG points apply here too.
12. Candlewood Suites
Positioning: Economy extended-stay with kitchen suites Key markets: North America (primarily US) Cash rate: $70–$130/night Best for: Budget-focused long-term stays in the US
Points Value by Brand: A Comparison
The same dollar of hotel spend earns the same number of points regardless of brand—but the value you get back from redemptions varies dramatically:
| Brand | Typical Redemption Points/Night | Cash Equivalent | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regent | 80,000 pts | $600 | 0.75 cents/pt |
| Six Senses | 70,000 pts | $500 | 0.71 cents/pt |
| Kimpton | 45,000 pts | $280 | 0.62 cents/pt |
| InterContinental | 50,000 pts | $280 | 0.56 cents/pt |
| Hotel Indigo | 30,000 pts | $160 | 0.53 cents/pt |
| Crowne Plaza | 30,000 pts | $150 | 0.50 cents/pt |
| Voco | 25,000 pts | $120 | 0.48 cents/pt |
| Holiday Inn | 20,000 pts | $90 | 0.45 cents/pt |
| Holiday Inn Express | 15,000 pts | $60 | 0.40 cents/pt |
The takeaway: Concentrate point redemptions at Regent, Six Senses, Kimpton, and InterContinental. Pay cash at Holiday Inn and HIE—their redemption efficiency is the lowest in the portfolio.
Quick Decision Framework
What's the purpose of this trip?
Business travel
├── Upscale needs → Crowne Plaza / InterContinental
├── Mid-range → Holiday Inn
└── Budget + breakfast → Holiday Inn Express
Leisure / vacation
├── Top-tier experience → Regent / Six Senses
├── Luxury resort → InterContinental Resort
└── Distinctive design → Kimpton / Hotel Indigo
Extended stay (7+ nights)
└── Staybridge Suites / Candlewood Suites
Travel in mainland China
├── Premium → InterContinental / Hualuxe / Crowne Plaza
└── Mid-range → Holiday Inn / Hotel IndigoThe Bottom Line
Among IHG’s 19 brands, the most practically useful choices for most travelers are:
- Routine business trips: Holiday Inn Express (efficient, standardized, breakfast included)
- Upscale business travel: Crowne Plaza or InterContinental (service depth, broad coverage)
- Best points redemptions: Regent, Six Senses, Kimpton (highest per-point value)
- Travel with personality: Hotel Indigo or Voco (design-led, locally distinct)
- Family leisure travel: Holiday Inn (amenities, space, family-friendly atmosphere)
Understanding each brand’s positioning is the foundation of an effective IHG points strategy. Match the property to the trip purpose, and every stay works harder for you.
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