Best-Buy Motels

Written by Smith Jones    Saturday, 16 February 2008

They’re predictable, efficient, clean, comfortable, and inexpensive. They’re America’s budget-motel chains---the ones that usually charge no more than $55 for a room with two beds, a few dollars less for one bed. Most are even cheaper, except those near big cities. You won’t reminisce about the furnishing---though you may recall the kindly manager. Roadside motel have given Americans a national travel style. You get up early, shower and dress in a compact, modern bathroom, walk a cross a couple of parking lots to eat breakfast at a roadside coffee shop. You pack up, pay up, and drive off. Late in the afternoon, several hundred miles away from last night’s stop, pull up at another dependable, inexpensive budget motel. We know sophisticated Europeans who would gladly trade old-world charm for a Motel 6 or an Econo Lodge. In fact, the U.S. budget-motel business is thriving, with over 50 major chains from Budgetel to Vagabond Inns. Days Inn is the largest, with more than 121,000 rooms. Several chains have 200 or more locations and are still expanding. Many chains are concentrated in the most popular vacation areas---especially the Sunbelt and the West Coast---but have units in most states. You don’t find many budget motels in the hearts of big cities. They’re out on the interstates and other major highways. More and more are being built near airports. What do you get for your money? A room with 175 square feet (Friendship Inns) to 288 square feet (some rooms at Days Inn). Almost always, two beds---often two doubles or queens. A standard bathroom with a combination tub-shower, fresh towels, soap, and shampoo. Though phones were scarce in the chains’ early days, they’re standard now and local calls are often free. Color TVs are universal, and most motels provide a movie channel or basic cable package gratis. Can’t stand residual cigarette odors? Ask for a non-smoking room; you’ll probably get one. If you want a swimming pool, check the locations of a Comfort Inns, Days Inns, Drury Inns, Family Inns, La Quinta, Motel6, Red Carpet Inns, Regal Inns, Rodeway Inns International, or Shoney’s Inn, although pools are now quite common at most chains. A free, if minimal, breakfast is provided at Drury Inns, Family Inns, Hampton Inn, and Vagabond Inns. Budgetel delivers breakfast to your room. Red Roof Inns offer their guests a free morning newspaper, usually USA Today. Other budget-motel chains are mounting a challenge in the lucrative business-traveler market with the introduction of fax machines (Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inns, Super8) and exercise facilities (Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inns). All budget chains accept most major credit cards. All but Motel 6 have toll-free reservations numbers. Your children---or grandchildren---can generally stay in the same room at no extra cost; age limits between 12 and 18. Most chains give a 10-percent discount to guests over 55, some to any member of a senior organization. AAA members and government employees might also get discounts. Always ask; you may save as much as 20 percent. Budget Host, Budgetel Inns, Drury Inns, Econo Lodge, Exel Inns, friendship Inns, Heartland Inns, La Quinta, Regal Inns, Travelodge, and Vagabond Inns have frequent-stay program. You get discounts or free nights for a certain number of stays. Hampton Inn has a “100 Percent Satisfaction Guarantee,” and here’s hoe it works. If you’re dissatisfied with the service you receive, complain to the hotel management. If they don’t correct the situation to your satisfaction, tell someone at the desk when you’re checking out, fill out a small complaint form, and you won’t be charged for that night---with no further questions or form-filling. Disadvantages? Few onsite restaurants (though coffee shops are nearby). No room service. No opulent lobbies. Vending machines rather than a snack bar or newsstand. But many travelers don’t use these facilities even in hotels that have them. About the only serious disadvantage (with some chains) is the “exterior corridor” design---the room access, and you get no privacy unless you keep the window and drapes closed. And many motels are close to noisy highways. As competition between America’s budget-motel chains heat up, service and amenities will continue to improve. Today, motels are a real travel bargain.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 23 February 2008 )