Traveling and hotel related question

I read reviews, usually on TripAdvisor.com, before deciding on a hotel. We try to stay with hotels that have 4+ stars. I read the negative reviews to see why people did not like their stay and to see if it is something that won’t bother us (such as the pool closing too early, or the breakfast buffet was awful). We tend to use Hilton when possible because we get reward points. But it all depends on the reviews. And we book directly with the hotel because I’ve found out in the past that if there is an issue, they tend to treat you better if you booked directly with the hotel.

I read reviews, get recommendations from friends and always look at hotel on google street view and make sure it is near to stuff that is important to me. I’m pretty picky about hotels though.

I always book directly with the hotel because they give a good military rate. So for road trips I plan the route and then pick hotels along that route we like. Once we get on the road and see how we feel and how far we drive I will book it from the road.

We book at Hilton and Hilton chains 99% of the time.  Before booking, I read the reviews on Trip Advisor.

We always book directly with the hotel or through the chain's app, never through one of the online services, as you will have more protection if you need to cancel or change reservations. Hilton properties are typically good, as are some of the Marriott brands. One thing to be aware of is that some of the individual hotels have not started by with all the perks. DH has run into Hampton Inns that now just give you a to-go breakfast rather than a hot buffet. I stayed in a Hilton last year that did not have their executive lounge open, but still charged extra to stay on that floor. If any perks are important to you, it's best to call the hotel directly and ask what they are offering.

Look for reviews online through various travel sites, reading the middle range (2-4 star) of reviews (not just 1 and 5 stars). I've found that you can usually find more useful information in those. Another thing I always do is look up the hotel address on both Google street view, as well as Google Earth. Sometimes a hotel looks great in the reviews, but then you discover there is something wrong with the location that won't work for you.

We got a Hilton credit card and use that to book any rooms directly via their app. We can book using cash, points or a combo. We usually book Hampton Inn, Home 2 Suites or Tru, but have booked many different levels of Hilton Hotels based on what is available at the time. Most of the time, we have enough points to for free rooms. Otherwise, there are often promos that offer a free room.  I'm not someone that likes to have specific credit cards, but the Hilton AmEx is one that is totally worth it (for us!)

We have never had a bad experience booking in one of those hotels and the free rooms are a bonus!

I would never consider the places you listed as midrange. I think that’s most of your issue. Your description of old and unkept are exactly what I associate with those places.

the ones you listed are NOT mid-range. They are the unwashed armpit of motels. Move your price range up a bit. This is a much better list of "mid range" thevacationer.com/best-mid-tier-and-mid-level-hotel-brands-and-chains/ 

Search google or yelp for reviews of the exact location you are looking for. Read the negative reviews with a grain of salt... does the negavite really impact you? I've seen complaints of an out door pool closed but their dates for staying would have been chilly normally and most outdoor pools are closed by that date in that locale. 

Midtange to me is Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. What you listed to me are not midrange, especially Super 8.


We have stayed at Hilton Home 2 Suites and Hilton Garden Inn several times this summer. Hilton Garden Inn has a restaurant so you get a fresh cooked breakfast.


Free breakfast is almost never close to good. Holiday Inn Express had a slight edge over Hampton Inn, but I wouldnt call either of the breakfasts "good". You get what you pay for.

I also book directly through the hotel. If there are issues and you have booked through a 3rd party, you wont get as much satisfaction as you will if you book direct.

I prefer to stay at Hilton brand hotels - Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn are my preferences. You know what you're going to get every time.

Next up would be Marriott brands.

I also read reviews on Trip Advisor and double check the star rating on more than one site. I won't stay in Days Inn anymore unless there is no other option because the quality varies so widely. I book through Hilton as long as it is an option; I'm thinking about also doing Marriott because there aren't as many Hilton brand options in the two cities where my kids are going to school now. The quality of those brands is generally consistent regardless of which chain you stay in.

Agree about Days Inn. Have found this to be true about Best Western, too. I thought I remember hearing from someone that these hotels are independently owned, which is why the quality varies to widely.

I want to walk into a hotel knowing what I can expect.

 Years ago we were driving from San Diego to Vancouver, so had a couple stops in both directions. The Marriotts I usually stayed in were not available anywhere we were stopping, and Holiday Inn seemed to be the best options for most of our route. 

Traveling north we had great hotels that were new, clean, etc., so I was shocked by the places we booked heading south.

One had the access to the property through a gas station.   It was a much, much older hotel that had seen a lot over the years. At some point the carpeting must have been much thicker because there was about an inch gap at the bottom of the door.

That was when I learned most Holiday Inns are independently owned and photos on the website usually generic corporate photos. I never book anywhere without checking it out on google street view now.

Way back when I was a kid, Holiday Inns were about the only hotel we stayed at on the road.  They were considered nice, clean, etc.--back when they had a restaurant and lounge (like a Dean Martin type singer) there.  Then they progressively got bad. 

They went through a big change maybe about 15 years ago.  There were lots that were terrible and they "kicked out" the properties that didn't remodel and get their act together.  Now they are nicer than a Hampton, in resort areas, etc.  The Holiday Inn Express are more simple but clean and newish.  But I find the Express are not in the best areas-not a lot of restaurants nearby, etc.