Overview
- Two men were refused check-in at the Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road despite two prepaid rooms arranged by outreach worker Amanda Thompson via Booking.com.
- A video shows a receptionist telling the pair he knew they were “from the street” and that the hotel “doesn’t allow it.”
- IHG acknowledged the incident was not consistent with its policy of welcoming all guests, issued an apology, and announced internal training measures.
- The men were later accommodated at a nearby Travelodge after the Holiday Inn Express refusal.
- The incident occurred during severe cold near −6C under an amber alert, as the charity described the refusal as visual discrimination.