The IHG logo reflects elegance, a global presence, and a high level of hospitality. The emblem conveys a sense of comfort and warmth, emphasizing the goal of each hotel to become a true home away from home for its guests.
IHG: Brand overview
William Bass established the Bass Brewery in Burton-upon-Trent, England, in 1777, marking the beginning of the InterContinental Hotels Group’s history. However, the company did not grow as a hotel network until much later.
Pan American World Airways established the InterContinental Hotels brand in 1946, with the inaugural hotel in Belém, Brazil. This signaled the beginning of an international chain of exclusive hotels.
An essential step toward the development of the enterprise was taken in 1988 when the British business, which already owned the Holiday Inn hotel brand, bought InterContinental Hotels.
Holiday Corporation, the owner of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza trademarks, was purchased by the group in 1989. With this transaction, the company’s market share in the hospitality sector greatly increased.
To concentrate on running its hotels and restaurants, the firm sold its brewing division in 1998.
By acquiring Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation in 2000, the enterprise enhanced its standing in the Asia-Pacific area.
A crucial year for the business was 2003. After changing its name to Six Continents PLC, Bass PLC was divided into Mitchells & Butlers, a network of pubs and restaurants, and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). This was the beginning of IHG as we know it today.
The group divested the Candlewood Suites hotel business in 2004 to concentrate on growing its core brands.
The new Hotel Indigo brand was introduced in 2006, focusing on the boutique hotel sector.
The Staybridge Suites extended stay brand was launched into the European market in 2007.
The enterprise bolstered its presence in the boutique hotel market in 2012 when it bought the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand.
By paying $430 million to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in 2015, the group greatly increased its market share in the boutique hotel industry.
The new voco brand, targeted at the premium market sector, was introduced in 2018.
By acquiring Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas in 2019, the firm improved its standing in the upscale market.
Despite obstacles on a global scale in 2020, the company kept growing its range of brands. The luxury boutique hotel market was the objective when the new Vignette Collection brand was introduced. This action aimed to improve its standing in the premium market sector.
Significant alterations to the firm’s digital strategy were implemented in 2021. The group updated its website and mobile app, adding new features to improve user experience and streamline the booking process. With its latest update, more flexible conditions were available for members of the IHG Rewards loyalty program.
The business intended to increase its market share in the resort hotel industry that year, particularly in Asia-Pacific.
In 2022, the enterprise further solidified its position in the luxury market. Completing the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand acquisition increased the range of the firm’s high-end hotel options.
Throughout the same year, the group carried out fresh projects to lessen its influence on the environment and help the people in the areas where it does business.
The corporation aggressively built its brands in this market in response to the rising demand for extended-stay lodging. Both the Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites brands experienced notable expansion.
Additionally, the firm expanded its footprint in developing nations by establishing joint ventures with regional developers and launching new hotels, mainly in China and India.
The business continued investing in digital services and technology, such as contactless check-in and check-out systems, enhanced revenue management, and data analytics tools.
The enterprise has continuously increased its worldwide footprint by building new hotels and purchasing existing brands. In addition, the business aggressively expanded its IHG Rewards Club reward program, which now stands as one of the biggest in the world for hotels.
The group persisted in making technological investments, creating cutting-edge technologies to improve visitor experiences and streamline hotel operations.
Meaning and History
What is IHG?
It is one of the leading hotel chains in the world, operating a wide range of hotel brands in many hospitality-related markets. The organization manages and owns franchises for various establishments, including mid-range, economy, and luxury hotels. Notable brands in the company’s portfolio include InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Kimpton. The brand offers accommodations for all tastes and budgets for business and leisure travelers. The company has a global presence spanning multiple countries and territories. It is known for its extensive loyalty program, IHG Rewards, which allows users to accumulate and spend points on all its brands. The brand, a significant player in the hospitality sector, constantly expands its offerings and adapts to changing customer demands and market conditions.
2003 – 2017
The logo is a powerful and concise image that reflects the brand’s global scale and premium nature. The emblem consists of three large capital letters, “IHG,” which stands for InterContinental Hotels Group. Below these letters, the full brand name is written in a smaller font, emphasizing the company’s seriousness and solidity.
Red symbolizes premium quality, luxury, and energy, aligning with the group’s hotels’ high standards and elite status. The orange color, in turn, adds a sense of warmth, comfort, and coziness, showing that the brand’s services are focused on meeting customer needs.
An interesting element of the logo is the letter “G,” which is rendered in a thinner font compared to the letters “I” and “H.” This technique visually separates the word “Group” from the first two letters, highlighting the unique role and importance of the group as a managing structure. This design choice draws attention to the brand’s vastness and unity, consisting of numerous hotels worldwide.
The emblem symbolizes high-quality service and InterContinental Hotels Group’s commitment to creating ideal guest conditions.
2017 – 2021
The rebranding retained the logo’s essence but altered its presentation. The capital letters were smaller, and the full name is now in two lines. The orange monochrome highlights the shift towards more budget-friendly extended-stay rooms. After acquiring boutique hotels, the company adapted its approach to customer needs, reflected in the new color emphasis.
2021 – today
The IHG Hotels and Resorts logo reflects the elegance and professionalism that befit one of the largest global hotel operators. The updated design embodies modernity and simplicity.
The emblem is dominated by the refined letters “IHG,” placed at the center. These three letters symbolize a prestigious brand associated with high service and first-class hospitality. The font used stands out for its clarity and modernity.
Below is the inscription “Hotels & Resorts,” rendered in a restrained and elegant style. This text harmoniously complements the overall visual identity, giving it a sense of completeness and compactness. This design approach symbolizes the variety of services IHG offers and their high quality.
The color scheme is black and white, symbolizing classic style and consistency while emphasizing the brand’s reliability and solidity. The simplicity and minimalism in color use enhance trust and confidence, which are essential in the hotel industry.
The style of the logo can be characterized as modern minimalism, focusing on key elements without unnecessary details.