05/21/2026
Last night, we had the honor of celebrating Holiday Inn Express & Suites Opelika earning the prestigious 2025 IHG Torchbearer Award, recognized in 2026 as one of the highest honors across IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Out of nearly 4,500 IHG hotels across the Americas, only about 2–4% of top-performing hotels earn this elite recognition each year, recognizing excellence in guest satisfaction, cleanliness, service, and operational performance.
We were especially honored to welcome the Mayor of Opelika, Eddie Smith, as we celebrated this incredible milestone alongside our team, ownership, and community.
To our incredible team: Congratulations to our Director of Operations, Jules Mewes, General Manager, Shalisha B, and most importantly, the incredible team members on the forefront each and every day at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Opelika who made this well-deserved honor possible.
To our guests: thank you for allowing us to be part of your travels, celebrations, and everyday moments. We are honored to welcome you through our doors, and this recognition would not be possible without your trust and support. It all starts with you.
City of Opelika, Al - City Government Opelika Chamber