I know Ken's answer before I even type this...

Generally speaking the Hampton Inn is our first choice of hotel when traveling, I've rarely been disappointed, though some have been better than others. Along the way, we have also stayed at Best Westerns, again, some are better than others, but none have made me want to check out right after checking in. I have stayed at Motel 6, once, and that was enough for me. Paper thin walls, paper towel like towels, and so much more.

We are attending the baptism of my great nephew in NY state soon. Unfortunately, it's the weekend and a holiday weekend (Columbus Day) which means rates are likely up as that time may also be peak for foliage.

I had some points to use from our Best Western stays so I booked a room (Best Western Plus) for two nights, then I went back to look at the reviews...they didn't make me feel good. The Hampton Inn in the area is booked. There was another Best Western Plus closer to where I want to be but they weren't accepting "points for payment" on this weekend. Most of their reviews were good, so I bit the bullet and we'll pay for the hotel vs using our points. It's OK as we may end up with a free night for the two night stay. The first Best Western Plus was asking 12K in points for one night, most of them ask for around 20K. How can two Hotels with the same name differ so much? More hotels in the area? Supply and demand sort of thing?

Google tells me Best Western is 2-3 diamond (AAA) rating, Best Western Plus is 3 diamond rating, Best Western Premier is 3+ diamond rating. I'm sure they must have to meet some criteria to keep the name.

What's your preference and how much stock to you put in reviews? I am remembering Patricia's/Kyras' recent "find" while staying at a Best Western...

 

We did a 6500 mile road trip this year. We usually stay at Hiltons but we kept finding very nice Best Western Plus and Premiers. All were different in amenities and decor. Everyone we used we were able to get a suite with a jacuzzi. We were on the road almost a month. Best Western Plus and Premiers won hands down. We never knew where we were going to end up every night so we used Trivago from the car. You could tell the nice ones as the parking lots weren't full of semis or work crews. Breakfasts were good.

fltsfshr

 

Hampton (or any Hilton hotel) or Holiday Inn Express

 

I've been happy with Hamptoms recently. Columbus Day is only a holiday if you work for the government, the other half of us have to work.

-- Chuck

 

Without a doubt...any hotel in the Hilton chain! Have never had a bad experience staying from coast to coast.

 

We are normally Hilton brands (Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites or Hilton Garden) But Best Western + and Holiday inn express are on the list as well.During my working career Comfort inn was a mainstay as well

 

LOL...well since we are retired.....................it wasn't a paid holiday for me when I was working, but it's a big weekend in New England and some areas for leaf peeping.

 

I'm curious as to what the price range was as you traveled in different areas. Hotels in the east seem pricey, the "so so" one in NY was $98.00 which sounds like you get what you pay for. The one we ended up with is around $140.+(she gave me friends and family rate). Both in the Syracuse, NY area. Both were Best Western Plus.

Are you home yet?

 

Lainey, I have been quite disappointed in Hampton Inns since Hilton bought them. The quality of everything in the room went down from what it was before Hilton owned them: Kleenex, TP, towels and cups or glasses. The beds are still comfy but I notice that other stuff and won't forgive them. The TP and facial tissue are below the quality I buy for myself and the towels now have a blend and are no longer pure cotton. The glasses and coffee cups are now paper.

I stayed in a La Quinta Inn on Tuesday, 9-17-2019, in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was excellent! I haven't stayed in one for a good 14 years but they were recently bought by Wyndham and perhaps upgraded? In any case, I was totally impressed! I will definitely look at them for my next stays. Could be it was a brand new hotel. I don't know.

On the other hand, I also stayed at the Hampton Inn on 9-18-2019, in Montrose, CO. The carpet was heavily stained. There was traffic noise from the main drag out front. It was not their best representation.

I should add that since I had my cat, Atticus, with me, my choices were limited to hotels that allowed pets. Both the La Quinta in Flagstaff and the Hampton Inn, in Montrose, did not charge extra for a cat. That is rare. I usually travel though Richfield, Utah, between Loveland, CO and Lake Forest, CA and any hotel there that take cats charges extra for them, from $15 to $30.

 

Hampton is good for us but we prefer Holiday Inn Express. I read the reviews and ignore the extremes on both ends. But if there are lots of negative reviews I willl avoid the place.