SimplySmart^SM by Holiday Inn Express

Hotel Guests Nationwide Unhappy With Hotel Bathrooms..

Nearly three out of four U.S. adults are not satisfied with the current state of hotel bathrooms, according to a March 2005 Harris Interactive poll. The survey found that guests' top complaint is the water pressure in hotel showers. About one in seven weren't happy with the quality of the bath linens and 13 percent are looking for more space in the shower.

SimplySmart^SM to the Rescue!

These consumer concerns have now been solved by our participation in Holiday Inn Express brand's upgraded shower experience. Aptly named SimplySmart, the shower initiative is centered on a proprietary multi-function showerhead by Kohler® which automatically compensates for a variety of water pressure challenges. It also features upgraded 100 percent cotton towels; white, hookless shower curtains with curved rods which add 25 percent more space; cotton loop bath rugs; and a sleek new line of bath amenities, featuring a proprietary cinnamon roll-inspired scent.

Stay Smart Showerhead by Kohler -- Guests rated it as their top choice based on superior water pressure and spray coverage, flexible spray settings, an appealing design and durability. The signature item also rated significantly better than the showerheads of a key competitor, and a significant percentage of guests in the shower test said their entire stay was more pleasant because of the new showerhead.

New terry towels and bath rug -- The towels are a significant upgrade in terms of size, softness and absorbency. The 100 percent cotton towels are 20 percent larger than the current towels, as well as thicker and more absorbent. The bath rugs will be 100 percent white cotton loop.

New line of amenities -- The program combines custom packaging and a display unit that houses everything, including washcloths, to organize the counter space. The packaging includes squeezable bottles that feature flip-top caps that are easy to use. All the products also have a proprietary scent - fresh baked cinnamon, reminiscent of the brand's popular cinnamon roll. The brand team tested more than 100 scents to get the perfect formula for the bath products.

Curved shower rod -- The new curved shower rod increases showering space by 25 percent and, combined with weighted magnets, solves the problem of the clinging shower curtain. The white, waffle-weave curtain also reflects the current design trends toward a neutral color palette.

Guests' reactions to the upgrades have been so positive that Holiday Inn Express has responded by making the showerhead and other bathroom elements available for purchase online! In the first 3 months that of the program, over 500 guests have purchased the Stay Smart showerhead by Kohler.