IHG Concerto is the technology backbone to the companies guest reservation system, loyalty program, guest services, and internal Merlin platform.

So what does this mean for you as an IHG guest?

Everything you can expect from a hotel to make your stay more convenient, pleasant, and accessible, is based on this cloud software.

Related: IHG Corporate Codes and Discounts

Where IHG Concerto really starts for a guest is in the booking and checkin process. The system allows you to easily book an IHG hotel on either points or cash, and when you arrive support mobile check-in as well as digital keys. This technology is now live at over 3,000 IHG Hotels and Resorts properties in the US and Canada, and will roll out to the rest of the world by end of 2021.

Once you are in your room though that’s where IHG really offers additional services via technology. Some examples include:

• Making service requests such as order extra pillows, arrange for a late checkout and review room charges
• Access the TV remote from the IHG Rewards Club mobile app
• Order room service and purchase on-property amenities
• Pay with Points, a new pilot program that allows guests to use IHG Rewards Club points to make in-hotel purchases 

All of the above will make your stay much easier and give you as a guest better interaction with your hotel. You can try out these new features at IHG properties in any of the best properties in San Francisco, New York, or any other city in the world.

Technological innovation is nothing new for IHG, as the company has a history of industry firsts. The company launched the first computerized hotel reservation system in the world more than 50 years ago. The current management team has shown no signs of slowing down by continuing to invest in new areas to increase guest experience.

We welcome this improvement from IHG and can’t wait to see what they continue to innovate with.

The post What You Need To Know About IHG Concerto appeared first on Travel Season.

Unlike other hotel chains, which tend to specialize in one pricing range, IHG offers rooms in practically every price range, as well as rewards for loyal clients through its IHG Loyalty program.

Here, I’ve compiled a complete list of the Best IHG New York City Hotels that are significantly convenient for business travelers.

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York

A trip to New York City should make you feel ecstatic, and Hotel Indigo Lower East Side can help you do just that. This IHG Hotel is situated in the heart of New York City and closes to a metro stop. Cultural attractions include Webster Hall and Irving Plaza, while shoppers should go to 5th Avenue and Chelsea Market.

From the top of the block, you can enjoy skyline views from our sharply designed hotel suites. Stay like a local in one of Manhattan’s most appealing districts, surrounded by artistic inspiration, varied culture, and a dash of nightlife glitz.

The Hotel Indigo Lower East Side offers complimentary Wi-Fi and rotating art exhibits. A minibar is available in each of the rooms. A hairdryer is included in the private bathroom, which has a bath or shower. A desk, a safety deposit box, and ironing facilities are available as extras. A 24-hour front desk is available at Hotel Indigo Lower East Side. Guests can dine at Mr. Purple or swim in the heated, open-air pool. Little Italy is 800 meters away, Brooklyn Bridge is 2 kilometers away, and Fulton Street/Broadway – Nassau Street is 2.1 kilometers away. The nearest airport is Newark Liberty International Airport, which is 17 kilometers away. In addition, the hotel’s proximity to public transportation is praised by guests: Delancey St. Station is 5 minutes away on foot, and 2 Ave. The station is 6 minutes.

Some of the area’s activities may be found at South Street Seaport and SoJo Spa Club, and cultural highlights include Broadway and Radio City, Music Hall. Also worth seeing are the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the Central Park Zoo. Guests much appreciate the hotel’s central position.

Check rates at the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York →

Kimpton Hotel Eventi – Chelsea

In Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, this is a cutting-edge Chelsea hotel. At Kimpton Hotel Eventi, folks have started doing double-takes recently. Even New Yorkers will be affected by total transformations. The tastefully refurbished ground floor of the Kimpton Hotel Eventi spans an entire block. It has an eclectic-chic “living room” lobby, technology touches throughout, and a collection of stylish new bars and restaurants handled by renowned chefs who know how to cook for the in-crowd. All of this is set in a modern skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling windows and magnificent views.

The Kimpton Hotel Eventi belongs to IHG New York City, will make you feel right at home with its high-quality accommodations and excellent service. Guests are perfectly positioned to experience the town’s sights and activities, as the hotel is only 0 miles from the city center. The hotel’s proximity to the city’s numerous attractions and landmarks, such as the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and Martinez Handmade Cigars, is also noteworthy.

A few of the hotel’s amenities include a 24-hour front desk, disabled facilities, rapid check-in/check-out, luggage storage, and valet parking.

Furthermore, all accommodations are equipped with a variety of conveniences. Many rooms feature LCD/plasma screen televisions, wireless internet access, non-smoking rooms, air conditioning, and heating to please the most demanding guest. In addition, the hotel provides fantastic leisure amenities such as a fitness center, spa, and massage to make your stay completely unforgettable. At the Kimpton Hotel Eventi, you’ll find unrivaled service and a truly distinguished address.

Kimpton Hotel Eventi’s facilities and services ensure that guests have a nice stay. 

Check rates at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi Chelsea →

Holiday Inn Manhattan-Financial District

The Holiday Inn Manhattan – Financial District, the world’s highest Holiday Inn, is conveniently positioned in the center of lower Manhattan. It is possible to connect to the internet for free. The rooms provide a large work area and a 39-inch flat-screen TV with premium channels. The lobby’s St. George Tavern features a full bar, an Asian-inspired menu, and a welcoming pub atmosphere. The Holiday Inn Manhattan – Financial District features a front desk, concierge service, and a 24-hour fitness center, to name a few of its services. Ground Zero and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum are only 300 meters away from the hotel. The distance between the hotel and the Newark Liberty International Airport is 14 kilometers.

This IHG Hotel is located in New York’s financial district, close to the airport. If you’re looking for something fascinating to do, South Street Seaport and Sunset Park are great options, while Battery Park and Washington Square Park are great places to see the neighborhood’s natural beauty. While you’re in town, why not attend a concert or a game? Take a look at what’s going on at Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center Brooklyn. The hotel’s central location is quite popular with guests.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn Manhattan-Financial District →

Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan

The Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, which is located at 1601 Broadway between West 48th and 49th Streets in Times Square, New York City’s midtown Manhattan, has 795 rooms. With 46 stories and a height of 480 feet, it is the 94th tallest hotel in the world, the 29th tallest hotel in the United States, and the 15th tallest hotel in New York City (146 meters). The Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza-Manhattan, designed by Alan Lapidus, first opened its doors on December 1, 1989.

Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall are within a 7-minute walk of this IHG hotel in New York City. A concierge service and on-site dining are both available to guests. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the Brasserie 1605, which views Times Square and serves typical American cuisine. The Broadway 49 Bar serves refreshments to guests of the Times Square Crowne Plaza. Each room at the Crowne Plaza Times Square features a flat-screen cable TV and an MP3 player, as well as sights of the city. Concierge rooms have access to a private lounge to have a continental breakfast and refreshments in the afternoon. A sauna and a pool are available at the on-site New York Sports Club. A 10-minute walk will take you to Central Park. The 49th Street subway station is also just a short walk from the hotel.

Duffy Square and Columbus Circle are two noteworthy landmarks in the region: the Palace Theatre and Ethel Barrymore Theatre. If you’re looking for an enthralling night out, visit St. James Theatre, or if you’re traveling with children, visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The hotel’s setting for sightseeing is very popular with guests.

Check rates at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan →

Holiday Inn Manhattan 6^th Ave – Chelsea

A 24-hour gym and rooms with a 32-inch flat-screen cable TV and an MP3 hookup are available at this modern Manhattan hotel, a 10-minute walk from the Empire State Building. The Holiday Inn Manhattan Sixth Avenue offers contemporary and trendy rooms with a work desk, armoire, and free Wi-Fi. A hairdryer and other bathroom facilities are available for guests’ use. All meals are served at the on-site Prime Café, which has a full bar and room service. The front desk and business center are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Holiday Inn on Sixth Avenue is located three blocks from the 28th Street Subway Station and 1.3 miles from Times Square. And the hotel is 3 minutes from Radio City Music Hall and 9.3 miles from LaGuardia Airport.

The Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave IHG Hotel New York City is near the airport and historic district. If shopping is on the agenda, 5th Avenue and Chelsea Market are worth visiting, while those looking to take in the neighborhood’s natural beauty should visit The High Line Park and Central Park.  Also, see out what’s happening at Madison Square Garden. Finally, spend some time discovering the attractions available in the neighborhood, including outlet shopping. Guests appreciate the hotel’s proximity to public transportation: 28 St. Station (7th Avenue) is 4 minutes away on foot, and 28 St. Station (Broadway) is 5 minutes.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave →

Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West

The Holiday Inn Express New York – Manhattan West Side, an IHG Hotel, is located in Midtown, New York City, near a metro station and in the city center. The neighborhood’s natural beauty is reflected in Central Park and The High Line Park, while nearby attractions include Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Chelsea Piers. So, are you ready for a night in the town? Take the St. James Theatre and Irving Plaza, for example.

This Manhattan hotel is in Hell’s Kitchen, about a 15-minute walk from Times Square. It serves a continental breakfast every day. It takes 5 minutes to walk to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Every room at the Holiday Inn Express Manhattan West Side has free Wi-Fi and cable TV. There is a work desk and a coffee machine available. Guests staying at the West Side Holiday Inn Express can use the hotel’s fitness center. There is a 24-hour business center as well as 24-hour front desk assistance. On-site laundry is available at the hotel. The Landmark Tavern is one of several dining alternatives within easy walking distance of the hotel. The Holiday Inn West Side is half a mile from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. One mile separates Columbus Circle and Central Park.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West →

Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South

The Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South, an IHG Hotel, is located in Midtown, New York City, near a metro station and in the city center. It is just an 8-minute walk from Times Square and the Empire State Building. There is no charge for using Wi-Fi. There are a flat-screen TV, cable channels, and coffee and tea-making amenities in each room. A hairdryer is provided in the en suite bathrooms. A 24-hour front desk, a fitness center, and a business center with copy and fax services are available at the Holiday Inn Express – Times Square South. Dry cleaning is one of the other services available at the hotel.

Macy’s Herald Square is about a 2-minute walk from the hotel. Both Madison Square Garden and New York Penn Station are about a 10-minute walk away. The closest airport is Newark Liberty International Airport, which is 18 kilometers distant.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South →

Summary and Takeaways

The hotels in IHG New York City are among the best anywhere in the world, which should come as no surprise. They will enhance the quality of your stay in the city. Even better, many IHG hotels that accept corporate codes provide a discounted rate, making their rooms accessible to a wide range of company budgets.

Also, feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in our comment section.

The post The Best IHG Hotels In New York City appeared first on Travel Season.

But hold on a minute! Do you also need to go away as a business traveler? After a difficult day at the workplace, you will be able to find flexible conference spaces, free Wi-Fi and comfortable amenities. Before going forward, did you know that while using IHG’s corporate rates, business travelers may take advantage of additional benefits such as discounted hotel rooms? Isn’t all that cool and worth it? All that passengers require is that they enter their special rate while searching on the IHG website.

So move on to your temporary abode and make yourself at home with these best IHG hotels in San Francisco.

The Best Luxury IHG Tier hotels

In the past two decades, luxurious hotels within IHG have mushroomed throughout the world. These expensive and flashy hotels meet the needs of a very refined and unforgettable experience. Continue reading about hotel chains, which have ensured that today’s luxury travellers enjoy the constant excellence they have expected.

InterContinental Hotel San Francisco

The InterContinental San Francisco, a premium hotel in the city’s financial district, has a long and distinguished history. A 32-story glass tower in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) district is a municipal icon. The San Francisco smoke-free hotel is close to the Moscone Convention Center, Union Square, Chinatown, and the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround.

While in San Francisco, land at The InterContinental San Francisco for an unforgettable stay. Staying in luxury lodgings with first-rate facilities enables you to enjoy the city’s culture and charm.

Check rates at the InterContinental San Francisco

Mr & Mrs Smith Olema House

The Olema House is a modest, peaceful hideaway among the banks of the Sea National Point Reyes, approximately an hour north of San Francisco. The magnificent retreat, bordered by national forest parks and pristine coastline wilderness, offers the perfect getaway to one of California’s most quiet and picturesque settings.

You may spend days walking, cycling, kayaking or birdwatching around the surroundings. Olema House offers you the possibility of seeing the West Marin landscape with your own pace and sense of style as a retreat for adventurous travellers

Check rates at the Olema House

The Best Mid Tier Hotels

The future of hospitality will be built on 3 to 4-star hotels. It is due to the growing number of options customers have for getting accommodation services on their cellphones easily. Because 60 to 70 percent of the population is categorised as mid-level, mid-tier hotels will be important in the future for creating demand. Continue reading to learn about some of San Francisco’s best mid-range IHG hotels.

Mr & Mrs Smith Lodge At The Presidio

The views of the Golden Gate Bridge aren’t what set this boutique hotel apart. The hotel is situated in San Francisco’s praesidium park, where guests may enjoy the city’s natural beauty from the woodland and shoreline that surrounds it.

The Golden Gate may be found in a variety of places, including the fireplace, lawn, and even your room (if you’ve planned beforehand). Consider paying homage to the soldiers who slept here in the past by admiring the artwork on the walls that depicts their likenesses or by attempting to identify the armour marks on the antique wood flooring.

Check rates at the Lodge At The Presidio

The Best Budget tier Hotels

If you want to get the most out of your vacation budget, the best budget IHG hotels are a good place to start. As, when it comes to hotels, some travellers are satisfied with a spotless property with reasonable rates and basic amenities like fast and reliable Wi-Fi, while others are willing to spend more for better service and more luxurious accommodations, but they want to be sure they get everything they paid for.

Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley San Francisco Area

The Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley, San Francisco Area is located in Marin County. It is close to the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco International Airport. While driving down Interstate 101 in California, it has stunning vistas of Tamalpais Mountain and the Bothin Marsh Walking Road.

It’s hard to imagine staying somewhere else with a hot tub and an outdoor pool as standard features. It includes a fireplace and gift shops. Free wireless internet access is available in the lobby as well.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley

Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway

A component of the city’s Downtown, this area is home to several businesses. The Ferry Building in Emeryville, the Muir Woods National Monument, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offer fun things to do in the city. Free Wi-Fi and mini-refrigerators are provided in all guest rooms at the Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway. After a long day at work, guests may relax in the hotel’s 24-hour fitness centre or beside the outdoor pool.

Check rates at the Holiday Inn San Francisco

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport

The town’s numerous facilities, such as a Jacuzzi and free Wi-Fi, make your stay more enjoyable. Warm California hospitality meets cutting-edge living comforts at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport hotel. Take the shuttle ($10 round-trip per person) from SFO to your hotel room, where you may relax and concentrate without interruption.

Check rates at the Crown Plaza San Francisco Airport

Summary & Takeaways

The hotels owned by InterContinental Hotels Group are among the most wealthy in the business, which comes as no surprise. If you’re looking for San Francisco IHG hotels for business travellers, there are many to choose from, and we hope that our curated list of the best IHG hotels will help you for a better stay.

Do share any hotel recommendations you have for business travellers in the section below.

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Today, Merlin has expanded into the main source of news, HR, and corporate information within IHG and also includes a huge library of training opportunities and other resources for employees. 

Best news of all this portal allows IHG employees to book discounted rates at properties around the world for themselves as well as friends and family.

If you’re an IHG employee with a Merlin account already, you can log in to your Merlin account here.

In order to book at the IHG Merlin special rate you will need the employee to general a special link that they can share with you. If you don’t have access to one, an example can be found here.

You can find many of these links with simple Google searches. However, to complete the booking process, you need to print out a rate voucher, and input the IHG employee’s name and a few employees have advertised their names for people to use.

If you do not know an IHG employee you may still get a discount if your work for a company that has a corporate rate. Try checking the corporate codes and discounts at IHG properties to see if your company qualifies.

IHG has quality hotels and resorts all around the world that make it an attractive pick for when you travel.

The post A Guide To IHG Merlin Program appeared first on Travel Season.

If you happen to be lucky enough to be associated with any of the partner organizations you should definitely plan on taking advantage of one of these perks. The discount can be sometimes be 10% – 30% off the regular nightly rate and will typically include perks like free wireless internet, parking, and breakfast.

Depending on where and when you travel there won’t always be availability but given it’s a major city you are almost always likely to find space.

Just because you find a corporate rate doesn’t always mean its the lowest rate the hotel has to offer. Be alert to compare the rate you find to the normal nightly price since there are times a corporate rate can be higher based on the corporations deal terms.

Use the steps below to see if you can receive a IHG discount on your next booking.

Locate your corporate rate

There is a high chance business travelers currently book hotels through a company portal or have a travel agent secure all reservations. With the corporate rate inserted on the backend a lot of times you may not even be aware of what your own companies code is.

At the request of our partners, we have removed corporate codes from this page. If your company has an eligible corporate rate you can still follow our guide on how to use them with various hotel partners.

Many companies have multiple rates with IHG so make sure you try all the ones assigned to your given organization.

To find Hotel Corporate Codes for all major programs including Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and more please visit our code homepage.

Input discount code into IHG search

IGH makes it easy to search using a corporate discount. Simply navigate to the stay tab in the menu bar bar to begin your search. When you click to input “Destination” you will see a drop down appear that includes a section to input a “Corporate ID”. Make sure even when making your search you have your “Rate Preference” set to “Best Available”. This will make sure you don’t overpay for a corporate rate when the standard rate is cheaper.

As soon as you enter your rate and click “Search” all the results will be eligible for that rate.

Compare rates

As mentioned above corporate rates are considered “Special/Preferred Rates” and while they do usually provide discounts, they are actually not always the cheapest. There are a lot of reasons to why, but hotels may be running their own special deal making the standard rate lower than the corporate rate for a given night.

In this example, the corporate rate is cheaper per night than the hotel’s direct “Best Flexible Rate”. We always recommend comparing your corporate rate to other promotions the hotel may be running directly.

What Is Included With A Corporate Rate

A corporate rate is not always just a discount in room price, they often come with additional perks. In our experience the most common additional benefits include free wifi, breakfast, and at times more flexible checkout.

Another major benefit in booking with a corporate rate is the ability to cancel up until the last minute. IHG typically offers the ability to cancel any corporate rate booking until one day before checkin. This is a huge benefit as often plans change and allows you to make bookings without having travel plans fully confirmed.

Each property varies in what they offer business travelers so make sure you read the details before booking.

Present identification upon arrival

This part can may not always happen but according to several hotel group’s official policy, a hotel must check ID to confirm your rate upon check in. We found this to vary wildly based on location.

Acceptable forms of identification include

• A badge or pass with the company name and picture
• A business card that includes your name and company
• An email address the hotel will confirm by sending you a confirmation

In our experience, hotels in Asia tend to check ID almost 100% of the time but in North America and Europe, it has been less than 10%.

Who Is Eligible To Use Corporate Rates

This will vary by company but it’s not uncommon for full time employees, contract workers, consultants, or those affiliate with an organization to use a corporate rate. If you work for an organization on the list but are not aware if you are eligible seek out advice internally.

Often times if you are affiliated with an organization to obtain identification associating yourself with it that is usually enough for a hotel group to consider you eligible.

IHG corporate discounts should also only be used when traveling for business. If you are planning leisure travel you may not be eligible to book on a corporate rate. It’s also no surprise that many hotels in vacation heavy destinations do not offer corporate discounts.

Note for booking you must be associated with the organization and authorized to do redeem the rate. Use the steps to see if you can receive a IHG discount on your next booking.

What Locations Offer Corporate Discounts

An important thing to note is that not all corporate discounts are made the same across IHG. Each hotel is typically required to negotiate a corporate rate with each company making the amount you get discounted vary by location and hotel popularity.

Whether you are traveling to New York City, San Francisco, or any city for that matter, make sure you check the latest rates at the time of booking.

In our experience cities that attract more business travelers will often have the most discounted hotels available.

Companies That Get The Best Rates

Not all discounts are created equally and naturally some companies have negotiated better rates than others. The rate you receive is based on the amount of stays a company provides to a certain hotel leading to a better discounted rate.

Typically companies that travel the most such as Deloitte, IBM, Accenture, and At&t will get the best rates as well as have the most available hotels. If you are affiliated with any of these companies then you can expect the best rates at various properties around the world.

How To Negotiate A Corporate Rate At IHG Hotels

If your company does not currently have a corporate rate with IHG you can negotiate one. Note you will need to negotiate with each IHG hotel individually instead of IHG as a whole so choose your locations and properties carefully.

The process is a bit informal but starts by sending an email to the corporate-programs office or directly to a hotel manager if you are a frequent visitor. The process for joining may vary by hotel but generally involves filling out an application indicating number of employees, expected stays, and additional details. Once agreed you will obtain a code that will enable you to see discounted rates on IHG website and app when booking.

Additional Discounts At IHG Hotels

Corporate rates are not the only way to receive a discount when booking an IHG hotel as the program has many other ways to provide incentives to their customers and employees.

IHG Merlin

The IHG Merlin program is an employee intranet linking all of its hotels around the world. IHG Merlin offers a special rate for all employees at various properties around the world.

In order to book at the IHG Merlin special rate you will need the employee to general a special link that they can share with you. If you don’t have access to one, an example can be found here.

Summary & Takeaways

As IHG continues to expand their global footprint they will continue to be popular with business travelers. If your company has a corporate rate with IHG you can take advantage of all the benefits they offer. If you are not then your company can reach out to IHG to begin the process of negotiating your own corporate rates.

The post A Guide To IHG Corporate Codes and Discounts appeared first on Travel Season.