I average 2 nights in hotels in the summer months and it’s always an adventure. Most are ok to good, I had to bail once or twice as they were not at all as advertised.

Realizing most are only as good as the individual management teams or franchisees but some do better as a whole.

Residence Inn has always been good for me.

I stayed in the Sheraton a couple of weeks a year every year for around 20 years.

Then they decided it was too much work to actually do a little something extra and give me the type of room I reserved almost a year in advance, so I dumped them after they did it 3 years in a row and in a conference with me essentially told me it was too much work to give me what I reserved.

Apparently they don't need the $6K I spent there every year.

Now I do VRBO and I get what I want.

We've had good luck with Drury Inn.

For years I would seek out Hilton properties, mainly because of Hampton Inn for work. At the time, one of the few value hotels that used comforters instead of foam blankets, had available outlets in functional locations and were clean.

After no traveling in '20-21, I hit the road again this year and Hilton properties seemed to have taken a step-down in their overall quality. Some properties did some capitol improvements but, generally, they all were underwhelming if not disappointing and this was across their properties so, I switched to Marriott.

I usually end up staying at a Courtyard, Fairfield or, Springfield Suites, all are clean, nicely appointed and for what it's worth, a much better TV-system than Hilton. So, now I have a boat-load of Hilton points, and looking at some vacation destinations I can spend them.

Keep in mind, that not all hotel properties are owned by the company on the sign out front, my understanding is about 2/3rds of hotels in the US are owned/operated by a franchisee or, hospitality company, and they only have to meet minimum standards as set by the company they are representing. Location and upkeep is also key, I know Sheraton is listed as an upscale property however, I know several that have seen better days and would be better off getting torn-down and rebuilt.

Marriott.

Sign up for their points program, BonVoy (I know, stupid name) and get free stays. We do.

Ditto on Marriott brands - in Particular ResInn.

Sheraton seems to have a chip on their shoulder after takeover by Marriott - never receive a warm welcome or perks due to my status - if not for the Marriott-points to earn I would not even bother with Sheraton these days.............

Marriott brands or Hilton Brands. Both have been great in the west coast states.

Least Favorite that I sometimes end up at: Holiday inn, however they seem to be improving.

Motel-6: Dropped them years ago after I was scared to death at their I-5 Redding Motel.

I spend much more time in hotel beds than my own bed. I stick with IHG Brand (Holiday Inn) and Hilton. Hilton Garden Inns are consistently good. Sometimes you can get good pricing on Residence Inn or Staybridge suites. Both have great rewards programs also. Make sure you sign up for the loyalty programs! Status matters, I just spent 10 days at Hilton Taipei Taiwan and they treated me like a king.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in Michigan:
Marriott.

Sign up for their points program, BonVoy (I know, stupid name) and get free stays. We do.

2nd this
Our company has had our annual Christmas party at the JW in downtown Houston, quite nice.
Wife & I stayed at the Marquis for our anniversary this summer, I'd put it a bit above the JW, but was pricey.

Traveling for work, Hilton Garden Inn is usually a safe bet.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in Michigan:
Marriott.

Sign up for their points program, BonVoy (I know, stupid name) and get free stays. We do.

2nd this

3rd this.

I was a Hilton fan for years until I saw the same drop in quality mentioned previously. Switched over to Marriotts since ‘21 and have been very happy. 22+ nights for work in the last 15 months and have yet to have a bad experience.

I am an IHG member but probably don’t stay enough to matter.

Thanks! Marriot will be my next try.

Marriott is a management company with high standards. I have had good luck at every hotel chain that they manage.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Marriott is a management company with high standards. I have had good luck at every hotel chain that they manage.

They didn't appear to have much in the way of standards at all with respect to the Sheraton I stayed at many times.

And I was a Bon Voy member for many years. That didn't help either. Marriot told the management of the sheraton I was at to resolve it with me. Sheraton talked to me and refused to resolve it.

I told Marriott they'd refused to resolve it and so Marriott decided to quit talking to me and that was the end of it.

I often travel with my dog so I have been using dog friendly LaQuinta for years. The chain was acquired by Wyndham a couple years ago and although some of the older LaQunitas are shopworn, Wyndham is building some new ones and upgrading the older ones. The last few LaQuintas we stayed in were nearly new.

I'll pretty much stay at any of them as long as their doors open into a hallway and not directly outside. While we mostly think of the direct to exterior openings as motels, I have seen hotels open directly outside. When I had my pit and boxer, it was fine by me but the pit has passed on.

We liked Red Roof Inn (mostly) when we were traveling with multiple dogs.

I like Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn (though they seem hit or miss these days), Hampton Inn and (though my experience has only been at 2 different locations) Comfort Inn. I stayed at the Best Western in Gulfport, MS and it was quite nice.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
I average 2 nights in hotels in the summer months and it’s always an adventure. Most are ok to good, I had to bail once or twice as they were not at all as advertised.

Realizing most are only as good as the individual management teams or franchisees but some do better as a whole.

After retiring from the Army I went in to the private contracting world. 10 years on the road and hundreds of different hotels.

The best hotel company/establishment has been Wyndham by Wingate Hotels. Zero issues with management, customer service, cleanliness, or staff.

I stayed at the Wyndham in Aberdeen MD for roughly 3 years while on a job. Other than asshole guesses, the hotel was awesome.

One of the plus sides to hotel living has been the points. My wife and I just used the last of our hotel points this last year for vacation. 2 vacations a year, zero money out of pocket for the rooms, for the last 8 years. We stayed in some really nice hotels too. The Dream in NYC was one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed. We would have never been able for afford the cost of the room out of pocket.

I am an old road warrior. I have spent an average of 150 nites a year in hotels since 1980. Thats a lot of nights. While I have stayed at almost all of the major brands for the last 15 years its been all Hilton/Hampton.

I am semi retired now but still will hit 100 nites this year. I have used and gifted nights from the award program all over the world.

Love Hilton.

I've had my best stays at Hilton and Marriott properties.

Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites are a decent step up from the motel lodge places. Especially if you find a new or newly remodeled one. On par with a Hampton. They seem to have lots of locations and also serve the less populous areas. The points program is simple and easy. The rates are generally very competitive.

Hilton hands down

I’ve been consistently disappointed in Choice and Wydham properties.