Greatsights

stayed at a Super 8 in Rapid City SD this year and the place was very clean and had one of the most comfortable beds I ever slept in. Add to this that they charged $65 a night and added breakfast the next morning I had no problems.

Most all of the best Westerns and Super 8's out west are very nicely done. Definitely equal to most Holiday Inns and some of the BW's are even nicer.

Stephanie

If you kid doesn't want to hang out or been seen in public with you - doesn't mean you have to stick to your motel/hotel room.

I stayed at a Super 8 just west of Roanoke, VA and it was basic and clean with no pool but I don't go somewhere to just spend time in a room or a place I sleep in. If you have a Prince/Princess complex like most on the board who stay @ 4 star type places - you aren't going to like it. I'd have to agree with some, even Holiday Inns vary from town to town, some are very nice some aren't impressive at all but again I don't have that royalty aspect in me. If it has a shower, bed, tv - I'm happy w/it.

charsuzan

I stayed at Super 8 this week. It was the best option in the town I visited for business. It was actually quite nice-certainly not a Hyatt Regency but was clean, the bed comfortable and it was quiet. A value for what my company paid. I usually try to stay at Hilton Garden Inns or the like, but none in this area.
Unfortunately, the wireless internet was going to be installed in 3 week. But, it will be there for next time.

LoveItaly

Hi Heavens, please don't spend all your time in the hotel/motel room. You will be right next to Santa Barbara, down 101 is Ventura, at the Hwy 33 turn off heading east for about 20 minutes is Ojai. I truly hope you will take advantage of all the wonderful places around you. Best wishes.

march123

The Super 8 in Times Square was more than adequate and quite a bargain for us this summer ($89 on weeknights.)

Cali

I have never stayed at the Super 8 or the Motel 6 in Santa Barbara but my sister and other friends have stayed at the Motel 6 and they all say it is by far the best Motel 6 they have ever seen. They say it is the original Motel 6 and has been kept up and is far different than other Motel 6's. I would be doubtful about this if I had heard it only from on person but several different people have mentioned it and how they have been very pleasantly surprised.

Heavens

Don't worry you guys, we aren't going to spend all the time that OD doesn't want to be with us in our little hotel room. We will get out and about. Maybe take a drive up to wine area, or east of SB. But we do like to kick back, sip our wine and read. We will have 14 YO son with us and the chance of the three of us agreeing on what to do is slim. I have heard that there is a very good bowling alley in Montecito I think we will check out. And just driving and seeing other parts of the area will be nice. As long as he has his IPOD he'll cooperate. But a pool could come in handy.

I will check out the Motel 6. Thanks for all of your comments. Trust me, to stay in a gorgeous place like SB, it will not be spent in my hotel room. But it is a nice place to relax...

justme22

My friend calls it the super dump at least the one she gets stuck using in rural virginia. every year there is a family reunion and it's the only game for miles around. she brings cleaning supplies and her own sheets.

Heavens

Wow, that is bad when you have to take your own cleaning supplies to your hotel room.

The Motel 6 in Santa Barbara on the beach is the #001 and gets pretty good reviews on tripadvisor. Will try and book that sometime in the future to try it out. It is right on the beach, apparantly.

We are going to keep the BW. More amenities.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Super8s, being mostly or entirely franchised operations, can vary at extremes to either end. Some are gems, some are dumps. Most are tolerable for a 1 night stay, but for a multi-night stay, I'd have a "plan-B" ready if things aren't going well.

The good news is that Cendant, the parent of Super8 is getting tough on standards. They are going to relie more on guest comments to schedule inspections of properties, so if you do stay at one, give feedback ( + or - ) to the HQ. I've stayed at Super8 in Williamsburg (2nd Street!) several times and found it well maintained & pleasent staff.

Accor is putting a LOT of money into cleaning up both its Motel6 and Red Roof Inns. I've had great luck with RR, but my experiences with Motel6 has been all over. Worse: Syracuse NY, Bestinghampton NY, Honorable Mention:Williamsburg VA

wanderluster

We're all about saving money in our travels but Super 8 is a big red flag IMO.
Most are connected to truck parking lots.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
But they're usually right off the highway and not in the best location.
Location Location Location!

elizabeth_reed

I've stayed at Super 8s. They are much like any chain (motel or food) ~ it all depends on management. I wouldn't want to spend a week at one, but agree with bardo1 about being a highway stop. This isn't my idea of a "vacation," but it can be a place for a weary driver.

ddreher

stay at a super 8 outside of cleveland every year to attend the film festival. that one is; inexpensive, clean and about as nice as the typical comfort inn type hotel. they also started a continental breakfast this year. our experience has been good for a place to sleep.

tracys2cents

In Santa Barbara there's a Travelodge that isn't too bad, the Sandman Inn and the El Prado are fine, and there's a Day's Inn not far from the beach. Mason Beach Inn is another one I'd look into.

My general rule with Super 8 is to avoid them near big cities since they tend to be in run-down areas. In the boonies they're usually fine...we've stayed in Super 8's in Maine and in Northern California that were terrific.

Intrepid1

I wonder if any Fodrites were conceived in a Super 8.

happytrailstoyou

I have given up on staying at Super 8, but I have found, as others have mentioned, that Super 8 (Motel 6 and others of this ilk) are sometimes very acceptable when they are the only chain motel in a town or area.

MelissaHI

OK so....does anyone know about the Super 8 Bayview in San Diego?

tracys2cents

The Bayview seems to get pretty good reviews for a Super 8, but it is located near a noisy airport and it is in need of renovation.

trippinkpj

They vary a little from place to place, but for the most part they are nicer than the Motel 6's with exterior coridors. The one in SLO, CA was clean and decent. The Travelodge there was a slight step up if that gives you an idea. I'm betting you are looking at a summertime weekend in SB right? I've seen rates almost triple from winter weekdays to summer weekends, up the coast from SB to Santa Cruz!

ed

We've stayed in the Mason Beach Inn in SB.

It's OK and the staff is very nice.

Days Inn on Bath is, to be polite, a dump. :-B