Smart, streamlined and innovative accommodation: that’s what the new Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central is bringing to savvy travellers visiting downtown Brisbane.

Showing off its 226 rooms and expansive public spaces, the world’s fastest growing hotel brand officially opened in Brisbane’s Spring Hill today. While today was the official event, Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central opened its doors to the world on 3 April, offering everything guests need and more where it matters most and appealing to travellers seeking a place to rest, recharge and can get on their way.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said: “The Holiday Inn Express is a welcome addition to Brisbane’s hotel infrastructure and will complement the city’s booming tourism and major events programs, which are attracting record visitor numbers and creating around 64,700 local jobs.”

The hotel is located close to the city’s business centre and transportation network, and is in walking distance of fantastic dining, shopping and entertainment options. Its home in Spring Hill is one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods of Brisbane and contains several heritage-listed sites, including the Old Windmill and the Spring Hill Baths.

Brisbane Marketing CEO John Aitken said: “The Holiday Inn Express is a testament to Brisbane City Council’s infrastructure charges incentive which has seen 18 new hotels open doors in Brisbane since 2013. This hotel will play a critical role in boosting Brisbane’s growing international profile, and supporting ever-increasing visitors numbers attracted to our city’s full calendar of conventions and major events such as the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens, Brisbane International tennis tournament and recently announced WBO World Welterweight Championship between Manny Pacquiao and Brisbane’s own Jeff Horn.”

Karin Sheppard, Chief Operating Officer at IHG commented: “The opening of the new Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central marks IHG’s return to Brisbane and is the latest in a series of milestones for IHG and our partner Pro- invest. Designed for a savvy generation of travellers, Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central will be a highly attractive offering for guests who are drawn to the brand’s purposeful, contemporary design and effortless service.”

Ronald Barrott, Chief Executive Officer at Pro-invest Group said: “We are thrilled to bring the Holiday Inn Express brand to Brisbane. As we continue our successful roll out of Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia and New Zealand, we’ll continue to meet the growing demand of business or leisure travellers looking for smart hotel solutions.”

According to renowned architect, Joseph Pang, the carefree Brisbane lifestyle played a significant influence in the design of the hotel – stylish without being pretentious, with the use of bright and sunny jovial colours. The cleverly modern rooms and shared spaces are a perfect illustration of how Holiday Inn Express puts the customers’ needs and experiences at the heart of the hotels design.

Michael Foster, Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central Hotel Manager added, “Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central is the perfect destination for guests on the go, who need a place to rest and recharge so that they can get on their way. We offer a no fuss experience that gives guests exactly what they need from a hotel stay: comfy beds, a convenient location, free Wi-Fi and our popular Express Start™ breakfast bar and Grab & Go option.”

Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central offers a meeting room, on-site parking spaces and a generous breakfast area, The Great Room, where guests can enjoy their free breakfast before heading out for the day's activities, or gather for informal gatherings and drinks parties.

There are currently 2,497 Holiday Inn Express hotels (more than 247,000 rooms) open across the globe. 34 of these are in the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA*) region, growing to 69 hotels in the next five years.

IHG currently has 26 hotels operating under four brands in Australia: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central marking the 27th hotel in Australia.