What pops into your mind when you hear the word mid-scale hotel or economy hotel? Free WiFi? Outdoor pool? Onsite restaurant? Complimentary breakfast, perhaps? Well, that is Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express for you.
And while they are referred to as limited-service hotels, these chains use innovative ways to offer affordable but high-quality accommodation. So which between Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express? Let’s find out.
Here are the main differences between Hilton Garden Inn vs Holiday Inn Express
While both hotel chains cater to budget-conscious travelers, Hilton Garden Inn is a mid-scale hotel brand that offers a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, on-site restaurants, and 24-hour business centers. Holiday Inn Express, on its part, is an economy hotel chain that offers complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a business center.
Quick comparison overview
| Category | Hilton Garden Inn | Holiday Inn Express |
|---|---|---|
| Room Types | Standard rooms with king or queen beds. | Double or twin rooms. |
| Unique Amenities | On-site restaurants, bars, 24-hour fitness centers, and business centers. | Complimentary high-speed internet, Express Start breakfast. |
| Brand Identity | Part of Hilton Worldwide. | Part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). |
| Breakfast | Cooked-to-order breakfast. | Continental breakfast with hot items. |
| Price | Generally more expensive. | Generally less expensive. |
| Availability | Over 700 locations worldwide. | Over 2,800 locations worldwide. |
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Types Of Rooms and Sizes
Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express have various guest rooms to offer.
For example, Hilton Graden Inn offers a standard room with a king-size bed or two queen-size beds, a working station microwave, and mini fridge, and a coffee maker.
But in comparing these two brands, two clients had this to say in an online review on Tripadvisor:
On the other hand, Holiday Inn Express features a double room with a double bed for up to 2 adults, while their twin rooms are equipped with two single beds.
Because these hotels have a limited number of rooms with high demand, it is prudent to contact the hotel and inquire about the availability of a certain type of room beforehand.
Hilton Garden Inn typically offers larger rooms than Holiday Inn Express. Hilton Garden Inn rooms are typically around 350-400 square feet, while Holiday Inn Express rooms are generally around 250-300 square feet.
Hotel Amenities
Hilton Garden Inn hotels are known for their more upscale and luxurious amenities and services than Holiday Inn Express hotels.
For example, Hilton Garden Inn hotels usually have on-site restaurants, bars, 24-hour fitness centers, and business centers.
And with their rooms being bigger and better, they offer premium bedding and linens.
Each guest room also has a larger flat-screen TV and high-end toiletries and may also offer additional features such as a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a tea/coffee maker in each room.
On the other hand, the Holiday Inn Express’s chain of hotels typically offers more basic amenities and services.
They often have complimentary Hi-speed internet access in all their rooms but may not have on-site restaurants or other high-end amenities.
Other amenities include:
- Air-conditioned bedrooms
- Satellite TV complete with pay movies in all their guest rooms
- On-site conference facilities
- Extensive car parking for guests
Express Start breakfast included in the room rate
Note: But as much as their rooms are smaller and more basic than those at Hilton Garden Inn, they compensate by usually being more stylish and comfortable.
Brand Identity
This is one key factor that cannot be ignored because many travelers often choose a brand more than the property itself.
And that is attributed to the legacy and reputation a certain brand has built with its clients.
On that note, Hilton Garden Inn is part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels, while Holiday Inn Express is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Here’s a review from a happy customer on MakeMyTrip.
In general, the rooms at Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express are generally quite similar in terms of their size and layout. Still, there are some differences in the amenities and features offered in each.
And while Hilton Garden Inn rooms tend to be more upscale and luxurious, Holiday Inn Express rooms are more basic and functional.
But beyond all these, many travelers are more likely to choose a hotel based purely on brand identity.
Breakfast
Beyond a good night’s rest, every human needs to wake up to a healthy and tasty breakfast; this is where the complimentary breakfast comes in.
Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express offer complimentary breakfast, but the options may differ.
Hilton Garden Inn offers a cooked-to-order breakfast, while Holiday Inn Express offers a continental breakfast with hot items.
Price
Most small, budget-conscious hotels are normally part of a larger chain and mostly near transit points like airports and highways.
The cost of a stay at either hotel can vary depending on location, time of year, and other factors, but in general, Hilton Garden Inn tends to be more expensive than Holiday Inn Express.
That is because of the brand itself, the type and size of rooms, and the experience of its luxurious amenities offered to guests.
Availability
Hilton Garden Inn is a midscale hotel brand owned by Hilton Worldwide. The brand was launched in 1996 and had over 700 locations worldwide.
Hilton Garden Inn hotels typically offer a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, on-site restaurants, and 24-hour business centers.
Holiday Inn Express is an economy hotel chain that InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) owns. The brand was launched in 1991 and had over 2,800 locations worldwide.
Holiday Inn Express hotels typically offer complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a business center. They are designed to provide a comfortable and convenient stay for travelers looking for good value.
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