Holiday Inn was (loosely) remade in color as “White Christmas” in 1954. Bing Crosby starred in the remake, but Fred Astaire chose not to reprise his role (apparently he was fed up of always playing the loser), and it was taken by Danny Kaye instead.

No, the modern Holiday Inn brand is vibrant and colorful, primarily using a signature "H" logo in green and white. The misconception that Holiday Inn is "black and white" likely stems from the classic 1942 film Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, which was filmed in black and white. In the movie, the hotel is a fictional seasonal inn, and it was actually the inspiration for the name of the real-world hotel chain founded by Kemmons Wilson in 1952. The real Holiday Inn originally used a very colorful, "Great Sign" with neon yellows, greens, and oranges to attract drivers on the new American interstate system. In the 2020s and into 2026, the brand underwent a sophisticated refresh, utilizing "open-lobby" designs with warm woods and bright, contemporary accent colors. While the movie remains a monochromatic holiday classic, the global hotel chain is one of the most recognizable and colorful brands in the hospitality industry, having moved far beyond its cinematic namesake to become a leader in the mid-scale travel market with over 1,200 locations worldwide.