IHG Hotels & Resorts traces its origins to 1777 when William Bass opened a brewery in England. The modern company, headquartered in Windsor, formed in 2003 after separating from Six Continents PLC. Today it operates a differentiated portfolio of 20+ brands spanning luxury, premium, and budget segments including InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza. The company uses an asset-light franchising model rather than owning properties directly. With a global presence in over 100 countries, IHG maintains a large development pipeline across all market categories.