Britain's InterContinental Hotels, meanwhile, has negotiated licences for two Holiday Inn Express sites in provincial capitals.

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And at less expensive brands like Holiday Inn Express, Best Western or Fairfield Inn, newspapers are available in lobbies.

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Budget conscious travellers should seek out hotel chains such as Best Western, Country Inn, Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express that include extras like breakfast, parking and Internet in their nightly rates.

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My next choice is the Holiday Inn Express.

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Both Wang and Fan are among the five interviewed by CNN who said they attempted to make their case last March, but were intercepted by police who took them into custody and held them in the Holiday Inn Express Nanhuizui.

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In recent weeks, similar announcements have come from the Holiday Inn, Holiday Express and Best Western chains.

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