When looking for work in the industry, many job seekers turn to established hotel chains, with clear hiring processes and greater demand for new recruits. In this article, you can explore the topic of hotel chains further, learn about what a chain is and why they can be beneficial, and have access to details on 10 of the world’s main examples.

Table of Contents:

What is the Hotel Industry?

The hotel industry is part of the wider service economy and is focused on guest accommodation or lodgings. Most definitions use the term ‘hotel industry’ to describe the industry surrounding hotels and hotel chains, motels, hostels, inns, guest houses, and similar forms of short-term, service-based accommodation.

That said, the hotel industry does not include other parts of the hospitality industry, such as restaurants and bars. You can learn more about the hotel industry, its definition, and its distinctions from the hospitality industry by checking out “Hotel Industry: Everything You Need to Know About Hotels!”.

What is a Hotel Chain?

A hotel chain is a name given to a business that owns and/or operates multiple hotels or similar forms of guest accommodation. This can include situations where a company is a full owner or partial owner of other properties as long as the same company is responsible for its marketing and administrative tasks.

Generally speaking, all hotels that form part of a hotel chain will carry the same branding, and the products and services offered within these hotels are usually very similar too. Some companies own or operate multiple hotel chains, and these larger companies can be described as hotel groups.

What Are the Advantages of Working for a Hotel Chain?

When seeking employment in the hospitality sector, many people focus their efforts on some of the larger hotel chains because multiple locations and a large number of customers means they have greater demand for staff, and employees are likely to get shifts at all times of the year, rather than only at peak times.

The administrative side of hotel chains can often be superior, meaning there may be more robust policies regarding employee benefits and complaints processes. Large chains are also more likely to have money to invest in staff professional development, and there may even be opportunities to train or work abroad.

List of 10 Hotel Chains To Work At

Below, you will find more information on 10 of the biggest hotel chains in the world. If you are seeking work in the hospitality industry, focusing on these chains could be a good place to start your job search.

Marriott International

Marriott International was established in 2003 due to the Marriott Corporation dividing into two. The Marriott Corporation was originally founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott and Alice Marriott, who were husband and wife. Today, Marriott International franchises and manages hotels and other similar forms of accommodation in multiple countries and is recognized as the largest hotel chain in the world when measured by the number of rooms.

In total, there are more than 8,000 global properties that fall under the Marriott International umbrella, and these are located in more than 100 countries. The chain’s company headquarters is in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Click here for the latest job openings at Marriott.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a chain of full-service hotels and serves as the flagship brand for the hotel group Hilton Worldwide. The company was founded in 1919 by Conrad Hilton and has expanded to the point where it now owns, manages, or operates approximately 600 properties across six continents and almost 100 countries.

The hotel chain is one of the largest in the hospitality industry, employing around 62,000 people. Many of its properties are located in major cities or popular travel destinations, meaning the company is a good choice for those who may wish to work in busy environments, with plenty to see and do in the local area.

Click here for the latest job openings at Hilton Worldwide.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is the flagship brand of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and was founded in 1957 by Hyatt Robert von Dehn and Jack Dyer Crouch. Despite starting as a single motel in Los Angeles, it has since grown into a multinational hotel chain, with more than 1,000 properties in around 70 countries.

The company primarily markets its properties to the luxury and business markets, making it a good choice for those who wish to learn how to deliver a high-level guest experience or those who would like to work as a hotel manager in an upmarket property. The main Hyatt headquarters can be found in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Video: The Hyatt Employment Experience – Hotel Jobs and Careers

 

Click here for the latest job openings at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

Accor S.A.

Accor S.A. is a multinational hotel group, founded in 1967, with its headquarters near Paris, France. The company owns or operates several successful hotel chains, including Fairmont, Pullman, Raffles, Mercure, and Novotel.

Accor is responsible for more than 5,000 guest accommodation properties, which are situated across more than 100 countries. The company also manages or operates several other businesses within the wider hospitality industry, making it a good company to approach workers from various professional backgrounds.

Click here for the latest job openings at the Accor S.A.

Jin Jiang International

Jin Jiang International is a state-owned hotel group based in Shanghai, China. The company operates several hotel chains, including Jinjiang Inn, Bestay Hotel Express, and individual hotels such as Jinjiang Hotel and Peace Hotel in Shanghai. The group also owns European brands like Golden Tulip and Royal Tulip.

The extensive portfolio of hotel chains and properties under the Jin Jiang banner means that the organization operates or oversees more than 10,000 hotels in more than 100 countries. It employs over 100,000 people, and its large number of hotels means the company has a high demand for workers from the hospitality sector and related fields.

Click here for the latest job openings at Jin Jian International.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Established in 1981, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is a hotel group based in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. The company owns some of the biggest hotel chains in the world, including Wyndham, Days Inn, Ramada, La Quinta, and Travelodge. Wyndham also claims it franchises more hotels than any other company worldwide.

There are more than 9,000 hotels or similar guest accommodation properties under the Wyndham umbrella. For job seekers, Wyndham is a popular company to focus on because it has properties worldwide, catering for everything from extended stay and budget accommodation to luxury resorts.

Click here for the latest job openings at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group, also known as IHG Hotels, is based in Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom. The various hotel chains owned and/or operated by IHG are InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Six Senses, and Regent Hotels.

The company has almost 6,000 hotels altogether. Most of these are operated under franchise agreements, but some are owned directly, while others are owned by others in the tourism industry and operated by IHG.

Click here for the latest job openings at the InterContinental Hotels Group.

Best Western International

Best Western International, Inc. was established in 1946 and has its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The company’s main hotel chains carry the Best Western name, including Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, BW Signature Collection, and more. Additionally, the company owns the WorldHotels brand.

Close to 5,000 hotels are operated under the company’s leadership, with North America accounting for over 2,000. However, all Best Western hotels are independently owned and managed.

Click here for the latest job openings at Best Western.

Radisson Hotels

Radisson Hotels is a hotel group that operates several hotel chains, with its main headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA. Most of the company’s hotels are in the United States, but it operates internationally.

In total, more than 1,600 hotels carry the Radisson name. This includes the brands Radisson, the flagship brand; Radisson Blu, an upscale and predominantly city-based brand; Radisson RED, which places emphasis on modern technology and architecture; and Radisson Collection, a luxury brand.

Click here for the latest job openings at the Radisson Hotel Group.

Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International is a hotel group with its main base in Rockville, Maryland, USA. The company owns multiple hotel chains, including Comfort, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Ascend Hotel Collection.

All in all, CHI is responsible for more than 7,000 properties worldwide, situated in 40+ countries. The Ascend Hotel Collection is an upscale chain which operates as a soft brand, meaning there are comparatively fewer fixed ideas. As a result, it may be an appealing prospect to those looking to become a hospitality manager, because there may be more scope to implement new and unique ideas.

Click here for the latest job openings at Choice Hotels International.

Approach Hotel Chains to Find Hotel Manager Jobs

If you are seeking a job in the hotel industry and have extensive experience or past managerial experience, you may wish to become a hotel manager. You can apply to hotel chains directly when vacancies arise or apply via hotel job boards, recruitment agencies, or social media platforms.

To explore the topic further, find out what the role entails, gain access to the best channels to use, and much more, read the article “Hotel Manager: Tips to Find Your Next Hotel Manager Job!”.

Hotel Careers: How to Impress the Best Hotel Chains

To find work with the best hotel chains, you will need to demonstrate that you have the right skills, qualifications, qualities, and/or experience. This could mean taking a relevant course, tailoring your CV to be more focused on hotel careers, or capitalizing on the right personal branding strategies.

Additionally, you need to use the right methods to find your ideal career opportunity. To learn more, check out the “Hotel Careers: 10 Valuable Tips to Find a Job in the Hotel Industry” post.

Hotel Chains and the Wider Hospitality Industry

Hotel chains are some of the main employers within the hospitality industry. However, the industry itself has more variety than guest accommodation alone. It includes restaurant and catering jobs, bar and nightclub jobs, other food and beverage-related positions, and careers as travel agents or tour operators.

To learn more, take a look at “Hospitality Industry: The No. 1 Hospitality Information Guide!” where you can find out about the industry, the key trends, the main sectors, emerging technology, and a lot more.

The Best European Hotel Chains to Reach Out To

If you are looking for work in the hotel industry and are interested in working in Europe, having a list of the most important hotel chains with properties on the continent can be beneficial. This can help you approach the right chains to maximize your chances of finding work.

Check out the “List of the Biggest European Hotel Brands to Work For” article for much more information on the biggest and most successful hotel chains in Europe so that you can optimize your job search.

A hotel chain is a hospitality industry business that owns, operates, or franchises multiple hotels or similar forms of guest accommodation. The ten chains outlined are among the biggest in the world and represent an excellent starting point when seeking companies that may be looking for new recruits.

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Revfine.com is a knowledge platform for the hospitality & travel industry. Professionals use our insights, strategies and actionable tips to get inspired, optimise revenue, innovate processes and improve customer experience. You can find all hotel & hospitality tips in the categories Revenue Management, Marketing & Distribution, Hotel Operations, Staffing & Career, Technology and Software.

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This article is written by:

Martijn Barten

Hi, I am Martijn Barten, founder of Revfine.com. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I specialize in optimizing revenue by combining revenue management with marketing strategies. I have successfully developed, implemented, and managed revenue management and marketing strategies for individual properties and multi-property portfolios.