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Post by katlady on Aug 23, 2022 4:07:28 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. Yeah, I remember when Holiday Inns started getting a bad reputation. 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. That is how I feel about Holiday Inns. When I was a kid, I remember staying at a few Motel 6's. I wouldn't do it now, but it must have been ok way back in the stone ages or else my mom wouldn't have stayed there. Some of you mentioned Drury Inn. I don't know that chain, so I looked them up. They are not in California so that is probably why I don't know the brand.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Aug 23, 2022 6:26:12 GMT
Because I need a roll in shower, I end up doing the research, then having a travel agent assist me with the actual booking. That may sound odd, but I have had fewer issues that way in terms of getting what I need re: accessibility if I have a travel agent set it up for me.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Aug 23, 2022 10:56:55 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. 😕 this is what my husband does too, but some he won't even consider based on the brand name.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 23, 2022 11:02:59 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. I agree with everything you said. We have really liked the rooms at Home2 Suites, but the breakfast is pretty bad.
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Post by nana2callie on Aug 23, 2022 13:35:59 GMT
Thank you for all the honest comments and I realize I need to step up my game - I'm basing my brand choice on 20+ years ago and obviously things have changed a lot. The individually owned motels explains a lot. We are looking for a stopover hotel in Jackson MS while traveling - so I'm going to put this advice to use. Never thought of checking google maps not did I realized they were often using stock photos.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Aug 23, 2022 13:54:36 GMT
I stick with Hilton hotels if possible (in the US). If it is a one or two night stay, Hampton Inn is my usual and really haven't had any issues with them. Some are a bit more run down and I can usually figure out which ones they are.
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scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,022
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Aug 23, 2022 15:02:40 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 hotels you listed are low end hotels. Personally I would not pick those hotels. I always read reviews and look at review photos on Trip Advisor and look at street view on google maps so I can see what the surrounding area looks like. I have good luck with Marriott, Hyatt, Embassy Suites or Hilton hotels. We have rewards with Marriott so we try that first. If you travel frequently, sign up for free rewards programs! But no matter the hotel, always read reviews and look at the review photos. Don't just go by photos posted by the hotel.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,687
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Aug 23, 2022 17:04:42 GMT
We stick with Hilton Hotels or boutique hotels with good locations and reputations.
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