What is the purpose of the IHG Merlin system for Even Hotels franchisees?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
SCH has designed a communication service, (http://ihgmerlin.com) known as "IHG Merlin", and its messaging tool, currently known as "Hotel Bulletin", which are the primary means of sending information from Holiday and SCH to licensees and in some cases, this may be the only manner in which Holiday and SCH communicate with Hotels and licensees. IHG Merlin and Hotel Bulletin will require you to access the Internet via third-party computer network communications service ("Internet Service Provider" or "ISP").
IHG Merlin is an electronic information library providing up-to-the-minute information and documentation from SCH at your fingertips. IHG Merlin was created solely for Holiday's various brand groups of hotels and their employees. In some cases, information may be distributed to Brand System hotels only through IHG Merlin. Information may include: the Standards, PMS Manual, newsletters and informational memos from Holiday or SCH, Marketing Solicitations, etc.
To access IHG Merlin, you must select and pay a monthly fee for an ISP which meets the minimum specifications established by SCH. The monthly fee will include Internet access and support. This access will provide you with an e-mail account and access to sites on the Internet and World Wide Web. You may select an ISP from any source as long as it meets SCH's exact specifications.
IHG Merlin requires a Microsoft Windows based (Windows 10 Professional or newer OS) PC and printer configured to SCH's specifications. You may purchase the equipment from any source as long as it meets SCH's exact specifications. SCH requires ongoing maintenance and support services of equipment that you may purchase from a third party.
IHG Merlin houses proprietary information to Holiday and its brands. Information you receive from IHG Merlin may be used exclusively in the performance of your rights and obligations under your License
with Holiday regarding an IHG-branded hotel only. All such information must be treated as proprietary to Holiday and SCH and confidential. Your use and access to this information will be limited in accordance with Holiday's or SCH's express terms and conditions.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 59–68)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the IHG Merlin system is a communication service designed by SCH (presumably, Six Continents Hotels, Inc., the parent company). It serves as the primary channel for Holiday (likely Holiday Inn, another brand under IHG) and SCH to disseminate information to Even Hotels franchisees. The FDD specifically mentions the messaging tool within IHG Merlin, known as "Hotel Bulletin," emphasizing that in some instances, it may be the ONLY way Holiday and SCH communicate with hotels and licensees. Franchisees are required to have Internet access through a third-party Internet Service Provider (ISP) to use IHG Merlin and Hotel Bulletin. IHG Merlin also functions as an electronic information library, providing franchisees with up-to-the-minute information and documentation from SCH. This includes standards, PMS manuals, newsletters, informational memos, and marketing solicitations. The system was created exclusively for Holiday's various brand groups of hotels and their employees.
To access IHG Merlin, Even Hotels franchisees must select and pay a monthly fee to an ISP that meets SCH's minimum specifications. This fee covers Internet access and support, providing franchisees with an email account and access to the Internet and World Wide Web. Franchisees can choose any ISP as long as it meets SCH's requirements. The system also requires a Microsoft Windows-based PC (Windows 10 Professional or newer) and a printer configured to SCH's specifications, which can be purchased from any source that meets these requirements. Ongoing maintenance and support services are necessary for equipment purchased from a third party.
The information available on IHG Merlin is proprietary to Holiday and its brands, and Even Hotels franchisees can only use it to fulfill their rights and obligations under their license with Holiday. All information obtained from IHG Merlin must be treated as confidential and proprietary to Holiday and SCH. Access to and use of this information is limited and subject to Holiday's or SCH's express terms and conditions. This ensures that sensitive business information remains protected and is used solely for the operation of the Even Hotels franchise.