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Post by nana2callie on Aug 22, 2022 21:47:38 GMT
How do you find a hotel sight unseen? We like to book in advance when we are traveling usually using the normal sites, priceline, expedia, hotels.com etc. However, our recent experiences have been very disappointing. We try to find a midrange hotel as we are usually just stopping for the night. Even in choosing name brand hotels - Best Western, Days Inn, Super 8 etc - we've been booked into some really old and unkept hotels. What is your secret? Thanks,
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Post by myshelly on Aug 22, 2022 21:51:16 GMT
I would consider the name brands you listed to be low end motels, not hotels.
If I’m looking for a mid range hotel for just a night or 2, I’m going for a Hilton or Wyndham or something “by” one of those brands.
I always book through hotels.com because of the rewards program. I make sure to read all the reviews, then I google the name of the hotel and read reviews from other sources.
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Post by katlady on Aug 22, 2022 21:57:25 GMT
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.
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Post by workingclassdog on Aug 22, 2022 21:59:53 GMT
I really look at when the hotel was built and the pictures if I can't see it in person.. look at the reviews as well. Usually I do pretty good. I stay at mid range. Drury Inn is a favorite of mine and always try to stay there when I can. When their hotels get older they turn them into another name (I can't remember it though) and they are cheaper as they get older.. Drury has always been a favorite and never disappointed. Hampton Inn is usually good to. I don't think I have had a problem with them either. Days Inn and Super 8 I stay away from.
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 22, 2022 22:00:10 GMT
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.
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Post by melanell on Aug 22, 2022 22:13:15 GMT
I like to look at reviews and photos from actual guest as opposed to the photos on the hotel's website that were taken when everything was pristine & new----or newly updated. If we are going someplace for one night or a weekend, we tend to go with Hilton because we also get reward points. But if we're going to be someplace for an actual vacation, then we do enjoy trying local hotels/inns/rentals as opposed to a standard Hilton hotel.
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Post by juanita on Aug 22, 2022 22:17:09 GMT
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.
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Post by melanell on Aug 22, 2022 22:21:47 GMT
This reminds me of when I was a kid, though and there was no internet to check and no such thing as websites or reviews from other guests. My parents would always order Tour Books from AAA and have to truly choose our accommodations sight unseen. For the most part AAA's diamond system worked for them, but there were a few stays that were definitely not as nice as we would have liked, and one, that when we arrived and saw the room, my father said "Stay here. Do NOT unpack anything!". He went down to the desk and after what felt like ages he came back and we all got back into the car and drove off to another hotel---which was lovely, by the way.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 22, 2022 22:22:21 GMT
We book at Hilton and Hilton chains 99% of the time. Before booking, I read the reviews on Trip Advisor.
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Post by buddysmom on Aug 22, 2022 22:28:48 GMT
I book directly through the hotel. "They say" that you get a better/nicer room doing that--such as one not near a construction area or better view, etc and often I get a free upgrade. But with COVID, etc I think the midrange have gone downhill. We used to stay at Hamptons a lot while on the road. There's also another newer Hilton brand, Home 2 Suites which are nice, clean, etc. The reason I'm axing both of those from my list is that their "free breakfasts" are inedible/gross--just salt, carbs and grease. Nowhere to find a non-powdered egg or non-canned fruit. Hilton Garden Inn is now my go-to but there aren't as many of them. They are a little more pricey than Hampton-maybe $20 ish and they charge for breakfast so all in it's probably about $50 more for two but worth it.
The chains you mentioned are lower end chains, not midrange.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 22, 2022 22:50:44 GMT
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.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Aug 22, 2022 23:03:36 GMT
Ask the peas for recommendations, for whatever city and state.
One of my favorite subject to read here on this message board, is the travels threads. If it's somewhere on my bucket list, or somewhere that I read about and add to my bucket list. I save the thread to my bookmarks.
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Post by ~Tracy~ on Aug 22, 2022 23:15:49 GMT
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!
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 22, 2022 23:21:58 GMT
We tend to stay at places like Hampton Inn and Drury Inn. They seem to be pretty consistent from location to location, and I like knowing what to expect. We’ve had good luck with Hyatt Place, too. My dh would happily stay at a cheap motel but I’m past that. Clean, reliable and comfortable are what I’m looking for.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,925
Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Aug 22, 2022 23:34:21 GMT
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.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on Aug 23, 2022 0:22:44 GMT
I would consider those hotel names you mentioned the lowest for quality.
I always book directly with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, etc. I use points and have the rewards programs with all of them. On the direct website you can see how the brands are rated based on points. I also look for new hotels they have just opened and you can also tell if the rooms were recently renovated.
When looking at location, I use Google maps and scan what's nearby, how the parking lot looks, is it near restaurants etc. I definitely read the most recent reviews (things have gone hill during the pandemic due to low staffing so rooms aren't as clean, waits to check in are longer etc) This is happening now at more and more hotels. Rates are higher but things are not looking as good as they used to. 😕
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Post by voltagain on Aug 23, 2022 0:37:05 GMT
How do you find a hotel sight unseen? We like to book in advance when we are traveling usually using the normal sites, priceline, expedia, hotels.com etc. However, our recent experiences have been very disappointing. We try to find a midrange hotel as we are usually just stopping for the night. Even in choosing name brand hotels - Best Western, Days Inn, Super 8 etc - we've been booked into some really old and unkept hotels. What is your secret? Thanks, 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.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 23, 2022 0:53:45 GMT
I get points through hotels/motels that are connected to the Choice Hotel Group. They have low, mid and high end brands. I aim for the midrange in their brand.
I do as others mention, and look at what TravelAdvisor reviews have to say about a particular location before I make the final decision.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 23, 2022 0:55:31 GMT
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.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 23, 2022 1:04:49 GMT
I usually stay at a Marriott as a mid-range hotel and have had good luck with them.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 23, 2022 1:09:19 GMT
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.
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Post by cakediva on Aug 23, 2022 1:10:47 GMT
When we planned our California trip in 2019, I waited until our Disney dates were set. Then I booked our flights.
Then I came here and asked the Peas where to stay along the California coast. There were multiple suggestions so I hit Bookings dot com and started looking in our price range ant a few of the towns Peas suggested. And booked all our hotels that way, making sure to choose the free cancellation options. Which was great because we changed our San Francisco hotel twice lol.
I liked bookings dot com because their rating system was pretty good and it was easy to find reviews on all the places we picked.
ETA - I also wouldn’t consider Super 8 a mid-range hotel. Here in Canada Super 8 is actually pretty decent but nay we’ve looked at in the US have been sketchy and we’ve kept on driving.
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,015
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Aug 23, 2022 1:19:21 GMT
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.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,895
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 23, 2022 1:39:41 GMT
I have loyalty membership with Marriott, Hilton and Holiday Inn Express (IHG).
I typically book through one of them unless I find there is a boutique hotel nearby my destination that I'd like to try.
I start by googling the location and I look at the map and the rates. I look at the stars or ratings they have - I won't stay anywhere that has anywhere near a low rating.
I never book third party - and I typically get an upgrade from one of the above chains.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 23, 2022 1:49:13 GMT
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.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 23, 2022 2:50:30 GMT
I use Google maps to search along our route for possible places to stop. I then look at the reviews, newest first, and also photos that are not provided by the company. I also look at reviews and photos on TripAdvisor. And then I hope and pray for the best. I've been burned by reviews that are positive because of recent renovations, only to get a room that had not been renovated while other parts were very sketchy, and I've been pleasantly surprised by some "low end" brands like Super 8 that were actually really good.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 23, 2022 2:52:03 GMT
always look at hotel on google street view 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.
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 23, 2022 3:08:33 GMT
I do remember doing road trips with my parents as a kid - pre internet of course - we’d only stop at hotels that had the “triple A” approved sign.
Once we didn’t - and the place was horrible and they were like “we should have known - it’s not Triple A approved!”
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Post by buddysmom on Aug 23, 2022 3:14:35 GMT
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.
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,015
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Aug 23, 2022 3:23:14 GMT
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. I agree about Best Western but the reality is that sometimes when you are traveling in the middle of the country or the more remote parts of the west, it's the only decent option. We just came home from a trip like that and our best options a few times were Best Western Plus or Best Western Suites. Neither are spectacular - maybe low end of the mid-range? - but they seem to be clean and updated. But still, whenever my husband asks where we are staying and I say "Best Western," I get a groan. The reputation is hard to shake.
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