There are many different hotel chains that have become household names. Holiday Inn is one of the most successful and its mid-priced Holiday Inn Express branches are especially popular with business users and people on short term breaks. The aim of the hotels is to provide all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay at affordable prices. Most Express branches have a fitness gym, hot tub and indoor swimming pools. This goes beyond the facilities provided by a lot of other hotels in a similar price range. Guests are provided with a complimentary continental breakfast and a range of toiletries. The breakfast includes tea, coffee, fruit juice, bread, cereal, toast, croissants, preserves and pastries.

Guests can be sure of a universal standard of quality across the different locations. Most Holiday Inn Express hotels are recently built or renovated. They are usually smaller than the Holiday Inn hotels and are found in major cities and towns. The company slogan is Stay Smart, an indication that guests will be refreshed after their stay. There is a Smart Mart section on the hotel website that sells goods as used in the hotel branches, including showerheads, toiletries and towels. Cinnamon Rolls are also for sale. These are part of the hotel's breakfast and are very popular with guests.

There are more than 1,500 branches across the world.  Holiday Inn is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group and has been part of the hotel scene since 1952. Many branches are close to major airports and attractions. New York City has Holiday Inn Express hotels at Madison Square Garden, Fifth Avenue and Kennedy Airport. Other locations include Toronto, Vancouver and Mexico City, in addition to several branches in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

The chain is suitable for families and the family rooms are available for two adults with two children, aged under 18. All Holiday Inn Express hotels provide an Internet connection, power shower and satellite television. Regular users of the chain can benefit from joining the member's Priority Club. Every time a guest stays, he or she earns points that can be redeemed for free accommodation, merchandise or air miles. These rewards are accepted at the group's hotels anywhere in the world. This includes Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. Rewards can also be used for car rental or at restaurants. The points don't have an expiry date so there is no rush to redeem them.