WillTravel

Logos, read up on Priceline. Florida is a good place to get nice 3 or 4* hotels cheaply.

mcnyc

I have to admit, when checking out places to stay in Europe, unless I have a highly recommended place, I will look to a Best Western first (totally not the case in the US). For instance, in Genoa, either of the Best Westerns are very nice (and the staff enormously helpful).

Logos, I'm agreeing with the others and telling you to visit Florida again in a nicer hotel. Here in the states, you often do get what you paid for. And it's scary at times.

logos999

Well, this winter, it's southern China, where 5 star hotels are 5 star hotels and don't cost more than those M6's in Florida. .

francophile03

Motel 6 is not that cheap over here. I've seen rates something like $50 per person.

walkinaround

>>>>>
However the Accor hotels/motels in Europe are a lot better.
<<<<<<

Formule 1 is way below motel 6 in quality. generally novotels are closer to US motel 6. some novotels can be very dismal. but i'm not sure how anyone could think formule 1 is better than motel 6. sofitels are located around the world...it's the top price accor brand.

MarkvonKramer

M6 is not alone. In the past 25 years, nearly every hotel at the interstate interchanges have fallen considerably. Some of the newer one are OK but are destined to fall into the state of disrepair or their older counterparts. I think the ownership/management of these establishment is the primary cause for their downfall (duh!). I expected the corporate BW, HJ, HI, etc. magnates to demand their franchisees to offer a little nicer product.

I stayed in a Best Western in Venice and it was quite nice.

MvK

logos999

>Formule 1 is way below motel 6 in quality
NO WAY, you need to stay in a M6 again. What I want are clean rooms.

BTilke

Logos, give it up. You had a bad experience at a coupel of Motel 6 properties in Florida, that's hardly a basis for indicting the whole chain. There are some perfectly decent Motel 6 properties in the U.S., although you probably don't want to hear that since it would go against your stereotyping.

Anyway, why didn't you post a message on the U.S. forum asking for Florida hotel advice? There are many Florida travel experts there who would have been more than happy to suggest inexpensive but pleasant hotels. Or are you one of those Fodorites who like telling others what to do but can't bring yourself to ask for help?

logos999

You'd have to name one decent M6 in the entire USA first!

BTilke

Fine, on a cross country drive we spent a night at M6 in Butte, Montana, that was plain, but clean and comfortable. Which is all we expected.

Now, please, explain the big 'tude. WHY did you not bother to ask for help over on the U.S. board? Is it beneath you to ask Americans for advice? There seems to a small coterie of mostly European posters who travel to the U.S. for business or holidays, but would rather gnaw off their own foot before asking any Americans over on the U.S. board for advice on hotels, restaurants, etc. They'd rather trust in their own arrogance and when they come back (inevitably) disappointed with the hotels, food, service, they find it easier to blame it all on poor American standards rather than admit they were just too proud and stubborn to seek advice.

logos999

>WHY did you not bother to ask for help over on the U.S. board?
Cause I'm positive there aren't any "better" alternatives available in FL in January. Look for my posts on the US board . It's all fu**ing expensive. Why pay a lot of money for nothing in return, when you get better for less in Europe or any other place?
I've actually been to the M6 in Butte. ;-)

twk

I don't know any of the specifics regarding Best Western, but every other American hotel "chain" that I've dealt with as a lawyer is actually a franchise--the hotel is owned independently, but pays for the right to use the franchise name and be part of the reservation system in the form of royalties and cooperative advertising payments. The franchisor (e.g., Holiday Inn), has an elaborate franchise agreement and is permitted to inspect the properties and ensure that they comply with franchise standards, and even to require upgrades in standards. Many of the francnisees have multiple properties in the same city with different franchises, so that Holiday Inn may send you down the street to the Marriott when it is full because both hotels are owned by the same local business.

BTilke

"look for my posts on the U.S. board." I did just that, clicking on your name. No posts from you regarding Florida on the U.S. board came up.
My mother lives in Florida. I've been there many times in January. Of course, there are deals if you know where to look and who to ask (for example, the Florida travel experts over on the U.S. board) or how to use Priceline to your advantage. But if you'd rather continue being clueless and arrogant, go ahead.

logos999

>if you'd rather continue being clueless and arrogant, go ahead.
Unfortunately you just went one step too far.