What hotel chain do you think is consistently the best?

[katie111]

I'm planning to drive to Hilton Head this summer with my 3 kids ages 4, 7, & 8. I'll be alone as DH can't take that much time off from work and he is going to fly down & meet us. We plan to take our time going down, probably 5- 6 days from MA. We're going to stop at a couple theme parks or other tourist sights along the way. The problem is, I don't plan to have a detailed itinerary before we leave so I plan to just make our hotel reservations on the go. Normally I would do my research on my Iphone as my Dh drives but I won't really have that option this time.

So, I was just wondering which chain of budget friendly hotels do you think is typically the nicest? We definitely want free breakfast & a pool on-site at least at a few of them would be great. I would like to just be able to look up where the next Marriott, Hampton Inn, or whatever is and head there without having to spend too much time looking at reviews & such. I know the quality can definitely vary from hotel to hotel even within the same chain but just wanted to know what chains people generally have good luck with.

 

[shelwoj]

I can honestly say we have never had a bad stay with a Marriott product. You have to read what each one offers because some don't have breakfast. Our favorites are Fairfield Inn and Springhill Suites.

We have friends that stay in LaQuinta's and have had good experiences all around.

 

[VAfamily1998]

We almost always book with Marriott. Some years, we've travelled enough to earn Platinum status, but currently we're just gold. Still, in larger hotels where there is a concierge level, we automatically get upgraded and the concierege lounge serves drinks snacks throughout the day--usually enough to even make a light dinner+ dessert in the evening plus breakfast in the morning.

We are almost always thrilled with our experience at Marriott brand hotels. There have only been a couple times we were not happy. (this after literally hundreds of stays over the last several years).

 

[Lees3rwe]

We have been happy with Hampton Inns and Country Inn and Suites. Love both.

 

[Anne34]

We love Hampton Inns -- decent breakfast, room & usually free wi-fi

 

[kleubanks]

Marriott....especially Residence Inn..our favorite.

 

[brekin67]

Residence Inn and Embassy Suites for the free breakfast and managers reception.

 

[Conway733]

We always stay at a Hampton Inn.

 

[uk_wildcat]

We also like Marriott and last summer we stayed in a Drury for the first time and it was great. They offer free breakfast and free snacks and drinks in the afternoon/evening.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We have had good luck with Holiday Inn & Suites, Best Western (if new) and Comfort Inn & Suites as well.

 

[Planogirl]

For nicer places, I think that the Loew's chain is consistently good. We've also always had good luck with Embassy Suites and newer or refurbished Holiday Inn Express locations.

 

[MinnieGi]

For road travel we usually stay Hampton Inn - good free breakfast and we've always had clean rooms and friendly service. For longer stays we like Hilton's other places such as Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, and DoubleTree.

Marriott is good too for road travel at Fairfield Inn and longer stays at Residence Inn for us has always been good.

 

[si-am]

Have never stayed at a bad Hampton Inn.

 

[CTdiznymom]

I've been extremely happy with Hilton Garden Inns. Clean, and the ones I've stayed at have offered great hot breakfasts.

 

[lizabu]

Best westerns and Holiday Inns are some of the most inconsistent hotel chains. Some are good and others are aweful. Sheraton and Hilton are two of the most consistent from what I've seen.

 

[luvMickey72]

Hampton Inn. Always stayed their when I traveled for work and it became our only hotel! Never had a bad one and breakfast is pretty good!

 

[njmom47]

The nicest hotel we've ever stayed at was a Hyatt Place (specifically in Chester, VA). We also like the Hampton Inn.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As someone else said, I've never had a disappointing stay at any Marriott property - and I've stayed at a wide variety (including a really fancy one that was used in a movie, but not until later). For low cost, you want a Fairfield Inn.

Another option is Microtel Inn & Suites. I stayed at one in Raleigh-Durham when a blizzard closed my destination airport. The room was small but very reasonable and very clean.

 

[DisneyBill]

If the OP wants budget, although she mentions Marriott, then coming from a road warrior, you may want to focus on Fairfields and Comfort Inns. Wingates are consistantly, consistant. I find Country Inns to be the most inconsistant. Don't underestimate using Priceline for 2&2/2 stars and above in the areas you anticipate stopping. Many times I've gotten Marriotts for $45, just last week got DW Marriott in Clarksville TN for $71. HTH

 

[Candace]

For budget stays with a good brand name, I like Marriott - you always get free breakfast at Fairfield Inns and Springhill Suites. Hampton Inns are always good too.