I've had to start staying at Holiday Inns/Expresses too and have found them to be just as nice as some of the Hampton Inns at least. The Embassies and Garden Inns still have the best breakfasts in my opinion.
The Hiltons and Marriotts have reacently switched to a 24+hr cancellation policy and that just usually won't work with our operation. The IHG properties still have 1800 day-of and if you are a member of their rewards club you can cancel at any time without penalties.