What Hotels Do You USUALLY Stay In While Traveling?

[arwalden]

For our budget... it's usually Doubletree or Hampton Inn. And both let us earn Hilton rewards points.

Believe it or not, I've stayed in some good old Mom-and-Pop's "noname" motels that were better than some of the Big-Name Brand "Express" hotels.

I get the feeling that the "Express" hotels are just leasing the well-known national brand name... and TOTALLY forgetting about quality and cleanliness. One "Ramada Limited" in Norfolk, VA was indeed LIMITED.

Even though it wasn't a "real" Ramada Inn... it was so horrible that I'll never stay in ANYTHING called "Ramada" again. It's truly a disservice to the parent company to allow their good names to be associated with these low-rent (yet full-priced) properties.

-- Allen

[hobbes159]

1. I love the Marriott Residence Inns

Particularly if I'm going to be staying there a while. Very comfortable, and it's so nice to have a fully equiped kitchen when you just can't stand eating out any more (or need late-night snacks).

[SiobhanClancy]

4. I love the Residence Inns...

I stayed at one in Charlottesville,Virginia,a few years ago. While I was checking in,somehow the fact that it was my birthday came up. Later that afternoon,one of the staff came to my door with a little basket of goodies for me...including a nice bottle of wine,some Godiva chocolates,a mug,cookies and a Happy Birthday balloon. That was a wonderful surprise and made a lonely birthday much brighter.

[GOPisEvil]

2. For business, I use LaQuinta.

They offer us state employees a good rate, and we're allowed to keep any free days we earn.

Last time I traveled, I stayed in one of those "Suites" places. I forgot the exact name. It was nice, and cost less than $50 per night. Had a fridge, stove, microwave, pots, pans, the works. It was made for extended stays, but I was only there for a weekend.

Ya know...now that I recall...I stayed at a Ramada Limited in Silver Spring, Maryland in August of 2000. Boy, that place sucked. It was in serious need of a re-model.

[alwynsw]

3. I had a similar experience at a Ramada Inn in Laurel, MD

back in '94. I have yet to visit a Ramada since that episode.

Where we stay usually depends upon where we are going and upon the duration of the stay. I highly recommend the Royal Sonesta or the Bourbon Orleans in the French Quarter (New Orleans). If it's on the road, I like Hampton or Drury for the buck spent.

I prefer the grand old hotels whenever possible. French Lick, Indiana has a dandy that is comparable to the Greenbrier in accomodations and amenities (although the Greenbrier has been upgraded over the years because of the D.C. - Congressional - bunker).

In Vegas, we usually stay at Bellagio. New York - Plaza. You get the idea.

We also go for the mom and pop cabin theme when in the Smoky Mountains or the Rockies, as well as much of the southwest.

When traveling outside the U.S. we usually stick with Hilton properties or a recommended (by friends or associates) B&B.

[FireHeart]

5. Back when I used to travel...

We stayed at a Mom and Pop Motel just a bit outside the gates of Moffit Field in Mountain View. They had *excellent* accomodations, hot tub, pool, very comfortable quarters and allowed pets. All at a reasonable price. Much less in fact, than the "chains" that were scattered all over. I wish I could remember the name.

One thing I'll never forget is one day of our stay, we went out to get a pizza, and the maids accidently let our cats out. When we got back they were *all* out there frantically trying to round them up. The cats, naturally, were having the times of their lives. :)

Great example of the "Mom and Pop" touch you just don't get at the chains.

[BiggJawn]

6. Courtyard or the Luxor

I go to 2 places, LV and DC. In Las Vegas, I try to stay at the Luxor. It's quiet, understated. I find it very relaxing. I've stayed at the Grand and the alladin, too, but I like the Luxor best.

I like the Marriot Courtyard across the circle from the Aussie Embassy in DC.

I do NOT like Ramada! the last time i stayed in anything with the "Ramada" name, it was the "conference center" in Cincinati. Place was filthy, service sucked, the desk clerk was trying to check us in and explain to the bellman what it would cost his "brother" to have a room for "a coupla hours" at the same time...

So I wrote a letter to Ramada. their response was pretty much that they lease their name to franchisers, and thus don't really have any control over the quality of service.

when we go on Vacation, we stay at "Mom and Pop" motels in michigan, and we have a couple that we enjoy and give repeat business to.

[terrya]

7. There is a Best Western in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that's quite nice.

I stayed there for a week when I was there, on business.

I was pleasantly surprised by that Best Western. So, it's Best Western for me.

[Kellanved]

8. depends

If I'm playing it safe (especially if I'm expecting to be jet-lagged) I'll reserve at a big chain or stay with relatives/friends.

In France I recommend Logis de France (small country herberges organized in a catalogue); in Berlin either one of the five star hotels or a small pension/hostel (depending on the budget).

[JVS]

9. I drive until I'm in the sticks and see a sign saying room $29.95, or...

a lower price. That is how I know I've found the right place.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. W Hotels-Swanky but you can get rooms for under $169 occasionally

For business I usually stay in Marriott Courtyards or a Starwood brand hotel to earn points (W and Sheratons are Starwood).

I have stayed in a lot of chains. Ramada is my least favorite-I have stayed in some dirty ones across the country.

Most Embassy Suites are OK too, but again the quality varies. Same with Hyatt and Hilton.

I have found Marriott Brands (Courtyard, Spring Hill Suites, Residence Inn) to have the most consistent quality and they are clean.

I could share lots of business travel horror stories.

[Melsky]

18. W Hotels?

There's just something about that name I don't like. ;)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. They're AWESOME-the most comfortable beds in the world

Aveda toiletries, 500-count sheets, feather pillows, and excellent service.

Here's the link:

http://www.starwood.com/whotels/index.html

[Melsky]

27. I was just kidding

because of the W - as in George W.

They sound real nice.

[101 Proof]

11. Super 8....

Days Inn, et cetera....anywhere cheap.

[trof]

12. I KNOW I'll get my butt flamed for this,

but I gotta say it.
I will no longer stay anywhere run by Pakistanis.
OK, whup my ass.
This is based NOT on prejudice, but experience.

Four times we've stayed in places (Ramada franchises mostly, I think) before the Pakis took over and after.
Pre-Paki, everything was pretty much OK.
Post-Paki, towels and sheets were thinner and smaller, so you wake up in the morning with the sheets all pulled out and wrapped around you.
The rooms and bathrooms weren't clean. Like you didn't want to walk on the carpet barefoot or lie on the spread.
The pool had a serious scum ring.
BUGS!
Air conditioners that don't. Or if you can get some cool air out, you can't stand the noise.
Just a general run-down, down-at-the-heels appearance.

I know that there are millions of fine Pakistani people.
They just get too thrifty when they go into the lodging business.

I usually stay at Holiday Inns now. They seem not to have succumbed to the Pakistani invasion.

[trof]

16. Anyone else have this experience?

Or is it just me?
Or are you being polite and humoring an old codger?
;-)

[haele]

13. For business - usually AmeriSuites or the DaysInn chains -

For personal, I'll often check out mom and pop places for cheapness and hospitality - a decent B & B is often just as cheap as the cheapest chain. The only downside with a lower priced B & B is that there may not be sufficient offstreet parking, you often have to share bathrooms with other guests and your room may not be large enough for your family "needs".
In a pinch (meaning no time to investigate any alternatives), my experiance with family and business travelling is that DaysInn (including SleepInn, ComfortInn, et all) are usually good, comfortable values - most have economical (under $100 for a family of 4) roomy and relatively clean suites that usually include refrigerators and microwaves. And they'll usually allow pets with no deposit.
Raddisons have gone way downhill, especially the remodeled ones.
Motel6 and Easy8 (the dirt-cheapest chains) are basically one step above sleeping in the mini-van by a gas station along the road.

Haele

[peekaloo]

24. I love Comfort Inn

for personal travel lodging.

LOL at the Motel6 description. I made an unfortunate choice, once, and stayed an evening in one. Slept on the floor because the bed had too many rocks stuffed in the mattress. The only television channel with a clear reception was the non stop televangelist station. Creepy dim lighting in the room and a bathroom/shower that really put out that 'Psycho' vibe. :scared:

[DemoTex]

14. My hotel/motel choices are dictated by my dogs.

For example, I often stay in the Quality Inn in Meridian, Mississippi. It's not bad and my two dogs are welcome there. It is $49.00 a night. In Vicksburg, I usually stay at the Econo-Lodge. It is owned by the same people who own the adjacent Hampton Inn and Vicksburg Inn. All three allow dogs, but the Econo-Lodge is the cheapest at $33.00 a night.

[Melsky]

20. Mine is dictated by my three cats

most motel 6 allow pets and don't charge extra.

[curse10]

15. Hilton/Hyatt Regency/Westin

I love the Hyatt Regency resort in Vegas. Oh. My. God. Five star beautifulness. Great restaurants. Fabulous rooms. Super room service.

[amazona]

17. ramada was never a good hotel you know

Do you remember Joyce Brothers from back in the 70s or so? Whenever anyone asked her for one piece of advice, she would always say, "Never stay in a Ramada."

When I worked for an oil company, several employees foolishly disregarded this advice and were robbed at a Ramada in Houston. One of them was left tied up to a chair.

In the mid 1980s, a Ramada in Louisiana not doing too well financially burned to the ground. I knew one of the insurance investigators. He was convinced it was arson but I don't believe they were able to find out who did it -- he had his suspicions though, as the hotel claimed to have just finished millions of dollars in improvements. Well, maybe...

So I would say that Ramadas have pretty much in my lifetime always had a terrible reputation.

[Padraig18]

19. Days Inn or Marriot, if possible.

Never had a bad experience with either chain.

[HuckleB]

21. Usually B & Bs, otherwise I try to hit low budget local icons (hotels).

I cross reference travel guides to note what places get mention across the board. I've yet to go wrong this way. Seldom have I had to settle for a chain, and I know I've had a lot more fun and met a lot more interesting people along the way. Moreover, I almost always get a better bed and far better service at 1/2 to 1/3 or less of the cost of the chains.

[HEyHEY]

23. Holiday in and.......

Colonial Inns, I know, gehtto.

[Crowdance]

25. Marriots of any stripe

I've never stayed in a dirty one. Can't say that for the other cheaper chains.

[PAMod]

26. Before kids, B&B's; since, Best Western

Many of their facilities are of historic interest, all are well-maintained, and relatively inexpensive.

My bride and I really like B&B's, we like meeting the hosts & the other guests.

[jpgray]

28. Days/Comfort whatever

Just check for syringes left under the sheets by malicious junkies if you're in a bad neighborhood. :)

(seriously, they do that stuff)