Family photo albums across the world have had a workout in the past 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic closed down much of the world. Photo albums depict smiling faces. People across the world have been left to reminisce on memories from days past and wondering when the next chance may be to make more.
With the world’s vaccine rollout now well underway, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright and the prospect of new and happy times with our nearest and dearest is coming into view, sure to generate smiles equally as bright.
Even before the pandemic – dating all the way back to 1952 in fact – happy memories has been at the very heart and soul of the iconic Holiday Inn brand of hotels. Making memories is what matters most in life and it is this that has inspired the new ‘Open Lobby’ look for Holiday Inn which continues to roll out across thousands of properties around the world and will soon be in place in Australia.
Open Lobby encapsulates the joy of travel, with its bright and welcoming demeanour. The brand’s new approach to lobby design sees a blending of the front desk, restaurant, bar, lounge area and business centre into one highly-flexible space. At the same time, an update of the overall design will see a more modern look adapted to suit consumer needs and accentuate each individual hotel’s character, while providing a positive customer experience throughout.
The concept came following significant research from IHG, with design teams poring over consumer data and research which looked at how people use space at home and how this can be combined and delivered in one engaging, functional and productive space. Since its debut, Open Lobby has resulted in an uptick in guest feedback and improved revenue at F&B venues.
Central elements to the Open Lobby style are all-day dining, open and ready to serve on-demand from guests along with barista coffee service, a casual bar environment, a recreation area offering a range of games and a co-working space which can also double as a casual meeting room.
IHG Hotels and Resorts has a massive 16 Holiday Inn branded properties in its Australasian pipeline, with new locations in various stages of development at Melbourne Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Richmond, Melbourne Ringwood, Werribee, Geelong, Wagga Wagga, Queenstown Remarkables Park and New Caledonia.
The statistics associated with Holiday Inn really are quite staggering. Around the world, three guests check in to a Holiday Inn property every second of the day – equating to around 100 million room nights per year. The casual, slightly slanted ‘H’ sits up there with McDonalds ‘Golden Arches’ as one of the world’s most recognisable brand logos. You know you’re home and making memories once again when you’re at a Holiday Inn.
If you’d like to find out how to join the brighter side of travel and add Holiday Inn to your portfolio, contact Jael Fischer, Senior Manager, Development Australasia and South Pacific on 0411 798 913 or via email at Jael.Fischer@ihg.com.