New research shows that waking up to a delicious smell might just be the secret to helping guests start the day on the right foot
Say goodbye to blaring alarms and the dreaded snooze spiral – Holiday Inn Express by IHG has unveiled a world-first hotel experience designed to transform mornings, one mouth-watering scent at a time. Introducing the Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Alarm Clock: a clever new in-room device that helps to wake guests with the irresistible smell of breakfast.
As part of its ongoing mission to help guests sleep better, wake easier and never miss brekkie again, all Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia and New Zealand, as well as participating hotels in Singapore, Thailand and Japan will now offer guests the chance to trial the exclusive in-room scent experience. The aptly named Breakfast Alarm Clock showcases one of the brand’s most loved and valuable hallmarks – free hot breakfast, anywhere, always – turning it from a promise into an unforgettable start to the day.
Guests who trial the Breakfast Alarm Clock can choose their preferred wake-up aroma and will be gently roused each morning by a diffuser-style scent alarm – no jarring beeps or blaring tunes, just the delicious smell of their favourite brekkie wafting through the room.
The concept was inspired by new research commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, that found 58% of travellers in Asia Pacific say a pleasant smell helps, or would help, them feel better when they wake up, especially while travelling. When asked which scents would lift their morning mood, respondents named coffee or tea (56%), bacon and eggs (43% in Australia), baked goods (38%) and fresh fruit (30%). These top picks have now been bottled into three deliciously familiar wake-up scents available with the Breakfast Alarm Clock: Coffee, Bacon and Blueberry Muffin in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Nashi Pear in Japan, and Mango in Singapore and Thailand.
Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, says, “We know from the research that travellers across Asia Pacific are struggling with sleep, and many skip breakfast when they travel – sometimes to save money. We’ve intentionally designed the Holiday Inn Express experience with the best of both worlds: everything needed for a proper night’s sleep, plus a free hot breakfast.”
The experience adds to the brand’s commitment of delivering a sensational sleep experience, including everything from the choice of soft and firm pillows to black out blinds, power showers and bedside charging ports so guests are sure to receive an Express Recharge, every stay.
The Breakfast Alarm Clock experience is available for a limited time from 20 October 2025 in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and selected hotels in Thailand and Singapore, and guests can book their stay, choose their wake-up scent, and experience mornings like never before at: hiexpress.com/freebreakfast.